In what turned out to be a barn-burner of a shootout between two of the state’s top programs in their respective classes, Montesano was edged by Napavine 56-47 on Friday at Jack Rottle Field in Montesano.

Neither offense seemed to have much trouble scoring as the two teams jostled back-and-forth. Montesano running back Isaiah Pierce scored two touchdowns in the first half — one a 4-yard run in the first quarter and on a 27-yard scamper in the second frame — with Jayden McElravy hitting Caydan Lovell on a 54-yard pass as the Bulldogs and Tigers were tied 21-21 at the half.

Monte receiver Jack Holmstrom gave the Bulldogs the lead when he caught a McElravy pass for a 24-yard touchdown to make it a 28-21 ballgame in the third quarter.

But Napavine running back Gavin Parker followed with a 1-yard TD run to tie the game at 28-all before the Tigers would run off 14 straight points to take a 42-28 lead.

After McElravy scored on a short touchdown run to cut the Tigers lead to 42-34, Parker scored on a 3-yard run and subsequent two-point conversion to extend the Napavine lead to 50-34 in the fourth quarter.

PHOTO BY SHAWN DONNELLY Montesano tight end Alex Sweet makes a catch during Friday’s game against the Napavine Tigers at Jack Rottle Field in Montesano.

But never known to be a program to give in, Monte got back into the game on a Pierce 25-yard TD run and — after Monte recovered an onside kick — McElravy scored on another short run to trim Napavine’s lead to 50-47 with just 1:56 left in the game.

Monte lined up for the game-tying field goal on the last play of the game, but the kick attempt was blocked and returned by Parker 80 yards for the 56-47 final.

“Our kids played their hearts out,” Monte head coach Terry Jensen said. “Napavine is a state-championship caliber team.”

Parker finished the game with five total touchdowns, including an interception return for a score. He finished with 221 yards on 19 carries and three rushing touchdowns.

Montesano moves to 3-1 overall on the season and hosts second-ranked Eatonville on Friday, Oct. 8.

Pe Ell-Willapa Valley 28, Morton-White Pass 6

Pe Ell-Willapa Valley racked up over 400 yards of offense to defeat Morton-White Pass 28-6 on Friday in Pe Ell.

PWV quarterback Tyler Adkins was the catalyst for the Titans offense, scoring on a 6-yard run in the first quarter and hitting receiver Tyson Portmann on touchdown passes of 44 and 34 yards in the second quarter to put PWV up 21-0 at halftime.

Morton-White Pass’s Layten Collette scored on a 1-yard run in the third quarter to cut the Titans lead to 21-6.

PWV rounded out the scoring when running back Blake Howard scored on a 2-yard run.

Garrett Keeton’s PAT gave PWV the 28-6 lead.

Titans running back Blake Howard rushed for 131 yards on 15 carries while teammate Wil Clements carried the ball 15 times for 82 yards.

Adkins was a perfect 6-for-6 passing for 129 yards and two touchdowns.

Portmann caught two passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns.

Koltin Fluke had two catches for 40 yards.

The Titans defense was led by Koltin Fluke, who recorded a team-best 10 tackles in the game.

Other scores

Forks 32, Raymond-South Bend 6

Oakville 52, Taholah 0

WA School for Deaf 78, Wishkah Valley 30 (Thursday)