Liberty won big once more to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the field in Rugby Washington’s Boys DI HS league. Meanwhile, things get ever more crowded further down the table.

Chuckanut lost 47-7 to Eastside, putting them in a three-way tie with Seattle, who lost 66-10 to Liberty.

Above those three teams are Budd Bay and Kent. Those two battled in a weird, windy game in Lacey, Wash. Saturday. The two teams traded tries throughout the afternoon, with Budd Bay eventually ruing the absence of both of their goal kickers (injury and family commitments, respectively). Kent led early and the rest of the game was a series of efforts by Budd Bay to close the gap, and Kent’s ability to respond when the momentum was shifting.

Budd Bay had some size up front but couldn’t push back the Kent pack sufficiently, while both teams showcased some exciting play out wide.In the end, paced by the back play of Nathan McCain at flyhalf and Tristan Ingold at fullback, and with Hayden Warneke playing a massive game at hooker, Kent prevailed 41-35. Kent scored six tries, converted four, and added a penalty goal. Budd Bay scored seven unconverted tries, including a superb break by Joel Jones, where he drew two defenders and found wing Coltrane Barron in support for one of a series of snazzy tries.

“We struggled with keeping possession,” said Budd Bay Head Coach Trevor Anderson, whose team drops to a tie with Kent at 4-4. “We needed to be faster to the breakdown.”

“We had two games where we were winning and the mental side of the game hurt us and we let the other team come back and win,” said Kent Head Coach Jeremy Torres. “This time, we were able to stop them, and hopefully that’s a turning point for us. We’re getting better in maturity level and growing as individuals. We’re still a young team, and to have that mental fortitude is something we’ve been working on all season and it showed in this game.”

The smaller Kent forwards’ body position helped them hold their own against a bigger pack.

“We take a lot of pride in that,” said Torres.

“It was definitely a tough match,” added Warneke, who was effective in the rucks and set piece and also unleashed some impressive open-field running. “I always love having an opportunity to run. t’s nice seeing the opportunity and knowing what to do with it, and hopefully the newer guys will get that experience.”

Meanwhile Liberty, bolstered by the addition of a couple of players from the Prarie team, which didn’t have enough players, beat Seattle 66-10. 

“We’re getting better, and it helps to have David Ainuu join us,” said Liberty Head Coach Jeff Candler. Ainuu is a prop who toured Europe with the HS All American U17s. He joins HSAA prop Derise Fuga in a formidable front row.

With fullback Sam Peters moving to flyhalf Liberty’s offense seemed to get a jolt, and Bo Longmore put in a solid performance as Liberty moved to 7-1.

Next up, Liberty visits Budd Bay.

“They are a tough, physical team,” said Candler, who is mindful that Budd Bay was the only team to be his Liberty side so far.

Kent plays Chuckanut and Seattle takes on Eastside.

While Liberty has clinched 1st place, three more playoff berths are open, and with two teams at 4-4 and three at 3-5, those playoff places are still up for grabs.