Tides’ offense no longer lost without compass – Gallinger throws 4 TDs
NEIL PIERSON; Staff writer
The Gig Harbor Tides might have finally found the offensive identity they’ve been searching for this season.
By combining a strong-armed quarterback with a plethora of speedy wide receivers, the Tides continued a midseason surge Thursday night to win their third straight game, 28-9, over the Central Kitsap Cougars in a Class 4A Narrows League contest at Silverdale Stadium.
Tides quarterback Garrett Gallinger completed 13 of 23 passes for 217 yards and four touchdowns. It was a great bounce-back game for the 6-foot-4 junior, who led Gig Harbor to a win over South Kitsap last week but threw four interceptions in the process.
The Tides (4-2 overall, 3-1 league) didn’t commit any turnovers against CK, and Gallinger hooked up with different receivers on each of Gig Harbor’s three first-half scores. Garrett McKay opened the scoring by beating his man deep down the right sideline for a 36-yard TD catch.
“Our young guys are getting game experience,” said Tides coach Darren McKay, who won his 100th game in 12 seasons at the program’s helm.
“It takes three to five games to get used to game speed, and I think that’s starting to happen.”
The Cougars (2-4 overall, 1-3 league) narrowed the gap to 7-2 when Chris Ngewakl sacked Gallinger for a safety.
But the Tides came right back and scored when Gallinger found Garret Steuk over the middle for a 68-yard touchdown pass.
Gig Harbor closed the first half with a 58-yard drive that Gallinger capped with a 27-yard TD throw to Dillon Alexander that essentially iced the game.
“We’re just connecting,” Gallinger said. “We’re getting the timing down, and it’s just starting to click.”
