Breakout game for Budnek: Senior amasses 196 rushing yards against Neah Bay Red Devils

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Quilcene Ranger Coach Trey Beathard was not in his happy place.

Not yet, at least.

He watched his football team intently from the Quilcene sideline. It was 8:10 in the third quarter, and the Rangers were up 26-0.

One of the teams younger players popped up at Beathard’s ride side.

“Are you happy?” he asked the coach.

“No. I’m not happy yet,” Beathard replied.

The fans in the stands might have had rouble seeing why.

Powered by the explosive return of senior running back Bishop Budnek, the Rangers were well ahead of the Neah Bay Red Devils in their much-anticipated matchup, despite a baffling set of officiating calls in the first quarter that killed several promising Quilcene drives.

Beathard looked psychic when, a minute later, the Red Devils posted their first touchdown.

Beathard had plenty to smile about after the game, though.

Budnek ran for four touchdowns in his standout return to the Rangers squad as Quilcene crushed Neah Bay 41-16 on Saturday at home.

Budnek had 196 rushing yards in the SeaTac League game.

The Rangers scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and another in the second to lead 20-0 at halftime.

Neah Bay broke its scoring drought to get a touchdown and a two-point attempt in the third quarter, while Quilcene added two more touchdowns for a 34-8 advantage entering the fourth.

The Rangers added another seven points in the final stanza, while the Red Devils put eight points on the board to seal the scoring at 41-16.

Nathan Kieffer connected on 5-of-9 pass attempts for 58 yards, averaging 11.6 yards on each toss.

He also scored one of the Rangers’ other two touchdowns against the Red Devils, with a 6-yard catch, with the other Quilcene TD coming courtesy of a touchdown run by Kevin Alejo.

Bishop Budnek had 196 rushing yards in the game.

Kevin Alejo had nine carries for 32 yards, while Isaiah Reimann had 16 yards on one carry.

Shannon Kutler had three carries for 13 yards, while Ashton Johnston was 2-for-6.

Kutler led the receiving corps for the Rangers, with two receptions for 23 yards. Kutler added 17 yards on another Quilcene catch.

The Rangers finished the contest with 360 all-purpose yards, including a 32-yard punt return by Kieffer.

Dominic Smith had seven solo tackles and one assisted for the Rangers.

Deakon Budnek finished five solo and seven assisted for a dozen in all.

Maxx Budnek also had a tackle in the game.

The Rangers earned a team total of four sacks (Smith, 2.5; Bishop Budnek, James Miller, Johnston, .5 all) and three intersections (Reimann, two; Alejo, one).

The victory moved the Rangers’ record to 5-1, and was the fourth win in row for Quilcene.