Gig Harbor hosts Eastlake on Thursday in battle of ranked teams

No. 3 Gig Harbor had a chance to fine-tune some things against Auburn Riverside on Sept. 10 before preparing to host seventh-ranked Eastlake on Thursday night at Roy Anderson Field.

Gig Harbor won, 55-0.

The Ravens (0-2) had no answer for the third-ranked Tides (2-0) and senior quarterback Davis Alexander. He was 12 for 18 passing for 176 yards and three touchdowns, but nearly had as many rushing yards as he did passing, gaining 141 yards on eight carries for two touchdowns.

Gig Harbor led 48-0 at halftime, with Noah Samsen returning a punt for a touchdown for the Tides’ first score. Alexander led off the second quarter with a 79-yard touchdown run.

“(Alexander) played well,” Gig Harbor coach Aaron Chantler said. “They did some things coverage-wise that took a while to get used to. Once we got the first first down, we figured it out. The line did a good job, gave him time to throw and make plays. Obviously, we came out with a big win.”

Samsen’s touchdown was his first career special teams return touchdown, which he’s been waiting for.

“We joked with him, he’s never scored a TD on one,” Chantler said. “Now, he got a chance to bust one. It gives teams pause; they have to figure out what to do, kick to him or not. If he can keep doing it, it gives us better field position overall. It was a big return and he needed it to prove he could do it. Some guys were giving him crap about it. I was happy to see him get one.”

The Tides host Eastlake on Thursday night. Last year, Eastlake came out on top over Gig Harbor after scoring a late touchdown, 24-21.

“They’re a good ball club,” Chantler said. “They’ll be prepared and ready to go. It was a playoff atmosphere in week three when we went up there. We feel good about our chances against anybody. We have to match their physicality. They were really physical last year, knocked us back a little bit. We’re prepared for that this year, there’s no surprise this year.”

Chantler admitted the Tides want to avenge their loss from a season ago.

“There’s a little bit of a revenge factor,” he said. “The kids don’t like losing.”

Chantler said the key to getting the win will be containing dual-threat senior quarterback Mark Whitley.

“He hurt us last year with his running ability,” Chantler said. “We can’t let him win the game with his feet. We’ve got to make sure to contain.”

Offensively, Chantler wants his offensive line to be physical and sustain their blocks into the second level of the defense.

This story was originally published September 16, 2015 at 9:23 AM with the headline "Gig Harbor hosts Eastlake on Thursday in battle of ranked teams."