Gig Harbor football highlights fall accomplishments

The fall sports season has come abruptly to a close in the harbor, and it was another successful year for many teams and athletes at both Peninsula and Gig Harbor high schools. Here are my choices for some of the standout athletes, teams and performances from the fall season.

Best freshman: Bradley Peloquin, Gig Harbor cross country

The latest Peloquin to burst onto the scene at Gig Harbor High, Peloquin made his name known early in the season, taking ninth at Seattle’s Sundodger Invitational in September with a time of 15 minutes, 45.22 seconds. Peloquin went on to take third in the Narrows 4A championship meet, behind only eventual state-champion Jack Yearian from Bellarmine and senior teammate Ryan Gregory. Peloquin took 105th in the Class 4A state meet and should be able to build off his strong freshman season for the future.

Best senior: Chance Stolz, Peninsula football

There are so many good choices for this category. But I don’t think any senior meant more to his/her team that Stolz did to the Seahawks. A nasty, hard-hitting middle linebacker for Peninsula, Stolz led the team in tackles and set the tone for the defense all season. Peninsula coach Ross Filkins called Stolz the most dominant defender in the entire Class 3A South Puget Sound League — a league that sent four teams to the Class 3A state playoffs. Look for Stolz to carry his physicality over to the wrestling mat again this winter, where he has the chance to be one of the state’s top finishers.

Best performance: Ryan Gregory, Gig Harbor cross country

His junior season, Gregory took 30th at the Class 4A state cross country meet in Pasco. This year, in his senior season, he took sixth place, with a time of 15 minutes, 36.5 seconds. It was a steady improvement for Gregory for the past two seasons, which Gregory contributed to consistent training and staying healthy. Gregory was the team’s star and senior leader all season and finished his high school career with a bang, finishing in the top 10, which was a goal Gregory stated before the season. Head coach Mark Wieczorek will miss his abilities, but he’ll probably miss his leadership even more. Wieczorek praised Gregory as a strong leader who worked hard to create an inclusive environment for everyone on the team, whether they were on the JV or the varsity.

Best team: Gig Harbor football

The Gig Harbor girls soccer team could make a case for this spot, too, but I have to go with the Tides football team. Ranked in the top three in various state polls all season, Gig Harbor finished with a 10-1 record, with its only loss coming to Skyline in the opening round of the Class 4A state playoffs. While it was a disappointing finish for a team that had state title aspirations, it doesn’t take away the fact that this was one of the best Gig Harbor High School football teams in the school’s history, perhaps second only to the 1993 team, which went to the state title game. Gig Harbor outscored its opponents 495 to 112 this season.

Best athlete: Davis Alexander, Gig Harbor football

There are a lot of worthy choices for this category as well, but the pick here has to be Alexander, who basically rewrote the Gig Harbor record books this season, guiding the Tides to one of the best seasons in the school’s history. Alexander finished 178 for 278 passing for 2,825 yards, 34 touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed 133 times for 1,091 yards and 12 touchdowns. Alexander is headed to Portland State, and it will take a special talent to break the records he set for the Tides anytime soon.

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 10:14 AM with the headline "Gig Harbor football highlights fall accomplishments."