It showed on Friday night in the Narrows League 4A opener against Stadium.
After scoring just two touchdowns in its previous three games, the Bears (1-3, 1-0) found the end zone eight times in a 54-7 victory over the Tigers (1-3, 0-2) at Ingersoll Stadium.
A big difference was the success in the Wildcat formation with senior Michael Naipo, who made his season debut. Naipo had one touchdown and several big runs.
“Michael did a really nice job for us,” Beattie said.
“It was a nice win for us to get going.”
At River Ridge 28, Hockinson 14: The Hawks won their third straight game behind the passing combination of Colby Schultz and Wesley Coats.
Schultz threw for 194 yards while completing 12 of 20 passes. Seven of those went to Coats, who also made what coach Steve Schultz called “one of the best high school catches I’ve seen.”
“The ball was thrown in the back end, and Wesley stretched to catch it, two toes in the end zone corner,” Schultz said. “That was a huge play.”
Coats’ touchdown reception gave River Ridge (3-1) at 21-7 lead with 49 seconds left in the first half.
Brad Wallace, who had two touchdowns, and Chris Leiba combined for 36 carries and 172 yards.
Timberline 48, at Wilson 20: Running back Spencer Crump had a tied a career high four touchdowns while rushing for 190 yards on 17 carries to lead the Blazers (3-1, 1-0) to a win in their Narrows League 3A opener.
“The whole line blocked their butts off and did a great job up front,” Timberline coach Nick Mullen said.
Gabriel Gutierrez and Chris MacNeil split quarterback duties and combined for 168 yards and three touchdowns.
Justace Buhl led the Blazers with 103 receiving yards, including a 27-yard touchdown catch to open the scoring.
At Black Hills 27, Aberdeen 6: For the second week, the Wolves (3-1) rolled to a big win after trailing early.
Aberdeen led, 6-0 after a first-quarter before Black Hills got going.
Shayne Robinson scored in the second quarter to give the Wolves a 7-6 lead after a successful extra point.
Jesse Perkins started off the second half with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, and Max Trotter’s 15-yard run capped the scoring.
“This is a scrappy team,” Black Hills coach Jack Zilla said. “... This group of guys are playing their guts out for each other.”
In last week’s 34-20 win over Bainbridge, the Wolves trailed 20-0 before winning.
At Tenino 28, Forks 12: Devante Harris’ 97-yard interception return for a touchdown in the final two minutes sealed the Beavers’ 1A Southwest Washington Evergreen victory over the Spartans.
In addition to Harris’ TD, Jason Davido had a 5-yard interception return for a TD.
Mac Shaw completed 14 of 21 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 102 yards on 10 carries. All of his receptions were by Harris, who had two TDs of 45 and 43 yards.
At Elma 47, Rainier 15: The Eagles scored all of their points in the first half, thanks to Brian Maslen (191 rushing yards, four touchdowns) and Todd Swinhart (179 yards, six catches, two touchdowns).
