BY JEFF WOOD – For Whatcom Preps
EVERETT – In a dry breezy night at Everett’s Goddard stadium, the Sehome Mariner offense was successful in moving the ball on the Archbishop Murphy Wildcats. Unfortunately, multiple first half red zone trips ended without points and ATM was able to capitalize on its opportunities.
The Wildcats took a 45-7 lead into halftime and ultimately won the game 52-20, eliminating Sehome from the class 2A state playoffs.
Receiving the first half kickoff, Sehome came out in a spread look with four receivers for senior quarterback Nolan Wright to throw to. Wright hit three shorter passes before completing a 34-yard seam pattern to senior tight end Carter Duckworth which put the ball on the one-yard line. Senior tailback Sawyer Woods looked to run the ball into the end zone on the next play, but it was called short. A negative run on third down put the ball on the 7-yard line where the Mariners elected to keep the offense on the field.
On fourth down, Wright attempted to get the ball to senior receiver Theo Quiggle but Wildcat’s all state defensive back Henry Gabalis intercepted the pass. He then raced down the sideline for a 98-yard return which put ATM up 7-0 after the PAT.
The momentum had quickly shifted to the favored Wildcats, and they were able to get the ball to their offense by stopping the Mariners next offensive possession.
ATM took over in Sehome territory after the Mariners pass attempt on 4th-and-5 fell incomplete.
The Wildcats then scored on a 25-yard play action pass reception on their first play from scrimmage. The touchdown gave Archbishop Murphy a 14-0 lead which was increased to 17-0 before the end of the quarter on a 24-yard Wildcat field goal.
Sehome kept fighting and moving the ball effectively on its next drive as Wright connected with seniors Hudson Neff and Al Miller on 28 and 37-yard pass plays. This red zone possession also resulted in no points for the Mariners as the fast Wildcat defense caused four consecutive incompletions.
ATM’s Wing T attack wasted no time on offense, and they hit a trap play for a 94-yard touchdown, pushing the lead to 24-0 with 10:42 remaining in the half.
It was déjà vu all over again as Sehome gained up 42 yards through the air before turning it over on downs and ATM scored another long rushing touchdown.
That score was soon followed by another as Sehome fumbled on its next possession. 38-0 was the Wildcat advantage when Sehome was able to finally cash in. A Wright to Quiggle 18-yard touchdown on a fade pass in the north end zone cut the lead to 38-7 with just over 3 minutes to play in the second quarter. The Wildcats got one more touchdown before halftime with a 5-yard touchdown rush which pushed their lead to 45-7 at intermission.
It was a half of football where the Mariners were a few plays away from being in a much closer contest. Archbishop Murphy however, showed why it is favored to win the 2A title and pulled away.
Sehome was able to score two additional touchdowns in the second half and hold their heads high in what was the final game for a senior class that has made two consecutive state quarterfinal appearances. The final score was 52-20 as the Wildcats will move to the semifinals and play NWC member Anacortes next weekend.
Archbishop Murphy 52 Sehome 20 SEH 0 7 0 13 - 20 ATM 17 28 7 0 - 52 ATM - 98 yard interception return for a touchdown (kick good) ATM - 25 yard touchdown pass (kick good) ATM - 24 yard field goal ATM - 94 yard touchdown run (kick good) ATM - 57 yard touchdown run (kick good) ATM - 40 yard touchdown run (kick good) SEH - Quiggle 18 pass from Wright (Neff kick) ATM - 5 yard touchdown run (kick good) ATM - 81 yard touchdown run (kick good) SEH - Miller 37 pass from Wright (Neff kick) SEH - Neff 53 pass from Wright (kick blocked) SEH ATM 11-45 Rush Att-Yards 27-390 24-50-2 Comp-Att-Int 6-8-0 384 Passing Yards 87 Individual Leaders RUSHING - SEH: Woods 8-45, Wright 3-0. ATM: N/A. PASSING - SEH: Wright 24-50-2-384. ATM: N/A. RECEIVING - SEH: Neff 9-154, Miller 5-111, Duckworth 5-79, Woods 3-21, Quiggle 2-19. ATM: N/A.
