Flags were flying at Mickey Clark Field in Coupeville Friday night, but it wasn’t a patriotic demonstration but a penalty-marred football game.

Klahowya defeated the Wolves 29-13 in a contest that featured more than 20 penalties, many major.

The win gave the Eagles the upper hand in the run for a playoff spot. Undefeated Port Townsend is the class of the Olympic League 1A division and will most likely claim the first of two postseason berths.

Winless Chimacum sits at the other end of the standings, leaving Klahowya (2-1, 3-2) and Coupeville (1-2, 1-4) in a scrap for the other slot. The four teams will play each other again over the next month, with the key Coupeville at Klahowya game Friday, Oct. 23.

The brawl between Coupeville and Klahowya was close until the Eagles tacked on a pair of late touchdowns.

The Eagles scored first when a Coupeville snap on a punt sailed into the end zone for a safety.

The Wolves immediately responded in the first quarter on a five-yard run by Wiley Hesselgrave and a Zane Bundy PAT.

Klahowya bounced back by scoring twice in the second period before Bundy booted a 27-yard field goal just before the break to make it 17-10.

Another Bundy field goal, this one from 32-yards, trimmed Klahowya’s lead to 17-13 deep in the third quarter.

Coupeville kept Klahowya off the board in the second half until the Eagles upped their lead to 23-13 with a touchdown with just over six minutes left in the game.

The Wolves tried to counter, but after a promising start the drive was halted on downs, thanks in part to a penalty.

A long pass play for the Eagles put the ball at the Coupeville five-yard line with only seconds remaining. Klahowya could have run out the clock by taking a knee, but in a game where sportsmanship was at a short supply, went for the TD and scored.

One highlight in the contest was Coupeville’s running game, which tallied a season-high 209 yards. Hesselgrave gained 102 on 19 carries and Lathom Kelley added 91 on 15 runs.

Gabe Eck completed 10 of 19 passes for 47 yards, five to twin brother Ty Eck for 29 yards. Hunter Smith had three grabs for 10 yards.

Another highlight was the Coupeville defense, also led by Hesselgrave (11 tackles and an interception) and Kelley (14 tackles). Smith had two interceptions, Mitchell Carroll recorded a sack, Uriel Liquidano blocked a kick and Tyler McCalmont caused a fumble that Jordan Ford recovered.

“I am very proud of the players’ efforts, even though we lost,” Coupeville coach Brett Smedley said.

“We came up with three interceptions against one of the better passing games in our league and recovered a fumble as well. Our defense continues to battle and make great plays.”

Smedley was pleased with the Wolves’ ground attack and kicking game, adding, “We had opportunities to make some big plays in the passing game but missed by a matter of inches.”

The game was Coupeville’s first at home after beginning the season with four road games.

The Wolves are at home again at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, when they get another crack at eighth-ranked Port Townsend. The Redhawks beat Chimacum 58-0 Friday and have now outscored their opponents 255-6.

Coupeville lost at Port Townsend 52-0 Sept. 25.