SEATTLE — The Juanita High football team struggled to find consistency on offense on Saturday afternoon, dropping a nonconference game to Garfield, 28-14, at Memorial Stadium.

The Rebels (0-2) were without All-American running back Salvon Ahmed, who fractured a finger on his left hand early in the week one loss to Mt. Si.

Instead, Juanita relied on junior Andrez Trahan, who rushed nine times for 34 yards in the first half alone.

The Rebels also added quarterback Dexter Mell to the mix after the senior missed the first game due to academic issues.

Mell hit senior tight end Dean Sise on a 45-yard pass play late in the first half, cutting into Garfield’s 14-0 first-quarter lead.

Garfield scored midway through the third period, and jumped on a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. Max Nall scored on a quarterback keeper less than 90 seconds later, giving Garfield a 28-7 advantage.

Mell hit JD Worchester on a 34-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the fourth quarter, and again led the Rebels into the red zone. Garfield senior Ruchell Gilbert intercepted a pass on the 4-yard line, ending the Juanita drive and effectively sealing the game for the Bulldogs.

Nall finished with three touchdowns, two passing and one rushing, and threw for 116 yards in the first half.

Next, Juanita is scheduled for a nonconference game against Bishop Blanchet at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 16 at Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle.

SUMMARY

at Memorial Stadium, Seattle

Juanita 0 7 0 7 — 14

Garfield 14 0 14 0 — 28

First quarter

G — Keith Edwards 24 pass from Max Nall (Hugo Caplow kick), 9:35

G — Jelani Howard 8 pass from Nall (Caplow kick), 2:25

Second quarter

J — Dean Sise 45 pass fom Dexter Mell (Calum Garrigan kick), 4:35

Third quarter

G — Ramari Hampton 4 run (Caplow kick), 5:28

G — Nall 4 run (Caplow kick), 4:14

Fourth quarter

J — JD Worchester 34 pass from Mell (Garrigan kick), 11:47