TUMWATER — The feeling the Black Hills High School players had as the final horn sounded on Friday night was something they've never experienced.

A win over their crosstown rivals — the Tumwater Thunderbirds — was something the current players had never tasted. The last time Black Hills defeated Tumwater had been in 2004, by a 34-21 score.

But after the Wolves' 19-7 win over the T-Birds at Tumwater District Stadium on Friday, there were many words to describe what it meant for the Wolves to get a big-game victory in the 11th annual Pioneer Bowl.

"It's a great feeling," Black Hills senior running back Cody Peterson said. "This is great. It's been too long."

"We're just thrilled to be undefeated in league," Black Hills coach Jack Zilla said.

Not only does eighth-ranked Black Hills (7-1 overall) remain one of two unbeaten teams in the Class 2A Evergreen Conference at 6-0, it also sets up next Friday's showdown with fifth-ranked W.F. West (8-0 overall, 6-0 league) for the EvCo title at Tumwater District Stadium. W.F. West defeated Centralia, 39-7, on Friday night.

As the top two teams in the EvCo, W.F. West and Black Hills will each host a state preliminary round game in two weeks. The winner of next Friday's game will claim the league's No. 1 seed.

Tumwater (5-3, 4-2) has locked up the third playoff spot and will travel south to Longview to play either ninth-ranked Mark Morris or R.A. Long on Nov. 6 or 7. It will be the first time since 2006 that Tumwater will not host a preliminary round game.

The seven points Tumwater scored Friday were the second-fewest Black Hills has allowed this season. The Wolves held Hoquiam to six points in a 28-point victory Sept. 18.

Zilla praised his defense, especially for its play after halftime. The Wolves shut down Tumwater's offense in the second half and forced three turnovers on Tumwater's final three potential scoring drives.

"Our defense is doing great," Zilla said.

Tumwater and Black Hills had equal numbers in total offense for the game (270). The T-Birds had 245 yards rushing, led by Christian Bush's team-high 63 yards on the ground. Black Hills had 250 yards rushing, led by Peterson's 199 on 33 carries.

Peterson scored all three of the Wolves' touchdowns, on runs of 10 yards, 6 yards and 1 yard. On Black Hills' final touchdown drive, Peterson ran the ball on 16 of 17 plays to give the Wolves a 19-7 lead with 10 minutes, 32 seconds left in the game.

His previous touchdown, which put Black Hills ahead three minutes into the third quarter, came shortly after the Wolves recovered a fumble at the Tumwater 19-yard line.

"Hats off to them," Tumwater coach Sid Otton said. "They're a great football team."

Each team scored on its first possession of the game. Black Hills took nearly eight minutes off the clock while driving 80 yards. Peterson capped the 13-play drive with a 10-yard touchdown run to give Black Hills a 6-0 lead.

Tumwater took less than four minutes to take the lead at 7-6 on Kyle Warner's quarterback keeper for a 1-yard score.

Facing a fourth-and-5 from the 13, the T-Birds used a little trickery. Daniel Hinkle came in at quarterback for the first time in the game and threw a 12-yard strike to Warner to set up the ensuing score.

Although Warner did not have an attempt in the first half, Hinkle was 2-of-4 — with both completions going Warner. Warner also carried the ball seven times for 62 yards, including a 51-yard run.

"I thought Kyle Warner played his heart out," Otton said.

Peterson surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark on his 12th carry of the game.

On Black Hills' final scoring drive of the half, Peterson got his team in good field position with a 42-yard run to set up a first-and-10 at the 28.

But quarterback Trent Alsin had his pass on the next play picked off by Warner — his second interception of the half.

As the Black Hills players hoisted the Pioneer Bowl trophy in front of their fans moments after the game ended, they realize they still have one more goal to achieve.

"We're hungry for that league championship now," Peterson said. "We've just got one more step."