September 11, 2024
ISSUE 37
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Fowler leads Cruisers to season opening victory By Skip Smith
Contributing Writer
In a thrilling season opener at B.W. Lyon Stadium, the Eatonville Cruisers claimed a hard-fought 34-28 victory over the Cascade Christian Cougars, exacting revenge for last year’s 26-0 loss. A packed house witnessed a rollercoaster of a game, filled with big plays, momentum shifts, and standout performances—none more so than Eatonville’s first-year starting quarterback, sophomore Cole Fowler. Head Coach Rex Norris praised the crowd and the team’s effort. “What a great crowd to start off the season, especially on a Thursday night. Our rivalry with Cascade Christian was true to form as both teams played hard,” Norris said. Fowler, despite a rocky start that saw his first pass intercepted, bounced back to lead the Cruisers with a stellar performance. He completed 21 of 33 passes for 365 yards and five touchdowns. First year Offensive Coordinator Jazel Riley praised Fowler’s resilience. “His ‘big’ mistakes could have crushed some QBs and made them get tentative, but he just kept slinging it and we all saw the result,” Riley said.
Courtesy Trinity Potter Eatonville's Cole Fowler drops back to pass as a Cascade Christian defender bears down on him. Fowler would lead his team to an exciting victory in the Cruisers' season opener. After Fowler’s early interception, the Eatonville defense immediately stepped up, forcing the Cougars to turn the ball over on downs. Fowler then redeemed himself, going 4-for4 on the next drive and connecting with wide receiver Ky Nation for a 15-yard touchdown to give the
Cruisers a 6-0 lead. The defense stayed strong, and Fowler continued to shine, orchestrating a six-play, 58-yard drive that ended with a 24yard touchdown pass to Riley Hill, extending the lead to 14-0. The Cougars, however, wouldn’t go quietly. After forcing another
Eatonville turnover, Cascade Christian’s Lucas Matthews ran in a 6-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to 14-8. But Eatonville responded swiftly. Two plays later, Fowler found Oscar Garcia on a swing pass, SPORTS Page 5Æ
Pierce Transit announces bus shelter upgrades, new projects By Tacoma Weekly
Tacoma Weekly Cutting the ribbon for Pierce Transit’s sweeping bus shelter upgrades were (from left) Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland, Tacoma City Council member Kristina Walker, Lakewood Mayor Jason Whalen, and Pierce Transit CEO Mike Griffus.
Across Pierce County, Pierce Transit makes more than 2,000 stops throughout its 292 square mile service area and more than 500 of these stops are at bus shelters. With a notable portion of these shelters situated in areas without much foot traffic or activity happening around them, it is important that they are kept as safe waiting places and well maintained for riders’ comfort and sense of security. On Aug. 28, elected officials, dignitaries, Pierce Transit employees and riders gathered at one of Pierce Transit’s new shelters on Bridgeport Way West in Lakewood to celebrate the kickoff of a systemwide bus stop shelter upgrade project. Many are more than 20 years old and are showing signs of wear and tear, their larger glass panes are expensive to repair or replace, and most shelters lack any type of lighting. The shelter renewal project replaces current shelters with new, redesigned shelters that specifically protect against
vandalism. This includes equipping the new bus shelters with stronger and less breakable glass panels. The new shelters feature smaller panes of glass which make repairs more affordable and are easier and faster to install. The shelters also include a bench seat and solar lighting to improve the customer experience, as well as making it easier for bus drivers to see those waiting at the bus stop after dark. The new shelters are updated with a sleek black design and are sized to use the former shelter’s concrete pad, making for a simpler installation process. The new shelters are being distributed across the Pierce Transit service area, prioritizing installations in locations with low and very low equity designations. By the end of this year, 93 upgraded bus shelters will be installed around Pierce County. Pierce Transit has a goal of replacing about one-fifth of its bus stop shelters each year with the upgraded design, provided funding TRANSIT Page 5Æ