BY JEFF WOOD – For Whatcom Preps
BELLINGHAM – Defending 2A State Champion Anacortes came out showing why it has a good chance to “Run it Back” scoring 28 first quarter points, and eventually beating the Sehome Mariners 35-7.
It was a drizzly night, this time with fans on both sides of Civic Stadium, and it took only four plays and 1:32 of clock for the Seahawks to score via a Brock Beaner 19-yard scamper. The University of Montana commit showed his speed and strong running ability in the first quarter with 5 carries for 41 yards.
After a quick 3-and-out from Sehome, Brock was back with a 31-yard run for his second touchdown. That drive was assisted by an encroachment penalty by the Mariners which turned a 3rd and 7 into a more manageable conversion that was picked up by Brock’s brother, and fellow Griz commit, Brady on a catch and run.
Leading 14-0 only halfway through the first quarter, the momentum continued for Anacortes. The ensuing kickoff landed between two Sehome players and was recovered by a Seahawks player on the Sehome 26-yard line. Anacortes scored on the next play.
The Mariner defense, led by linebackers Carl Bach and Fisher Hall, started to settle in and a short drive looked to stall on the 3-yard line. However, the Seahawks used a shift and motion to get Brady Beaner free on a quick pass to the left and he was able to get into the end zone untouched.
Now down 28-0 still in the first quarter, Sehome looked to get some offense going through the air but junior quarterback Nolan Wright’s third down pass was intercepted.
Digging deep, the Mariner defense was able to stop the high-powered Anacortes offense due to a Hall sack and pass defended by senior Coleby Chambers on fourth-and-five.
Wright then took Sehome into Anacortes territory for the first time with a few accurate passes to senior Andre Watson and junior Theo Quiggle. Moving the ball to the 23-yard line, the drive looked promising for the Mariners, but Wright took a sack which put Sehome behind the chains. A fourth down incompletion snuffed out the scoring opportunity for the Mariners.
Anacortes was not done scoring before the half and put the ball in the end zone one more time on an 8-yard touchdown run, giving the Seahawks a 35-0 lead at intermission.
The Mariners showed resilience, coming out in the third quarter by playing much better on both sides of the ball. After trading possessions, the Sehome offense continued to find success through the air and Wright’s legs. They drove 87 yards to the Anacortes 10-yard line, starting the drive at their own 3-yard line after a 60-yard Anacortes punt. The Mariners were once again spurned in the red zone after a 9-yard reception by junior tight end Carter Duckworth came up short of the end zone on fourth down.
The Seahawk offense did not have as much success in the second half against the Sehome defense. Brock Beaner stayed on the sidelines for the Seahawks as the Sehome front four stiffened against the run. Junior defensive tackle Finn Seitz-Gregoire made two drive ending tackles in the backfield.
After no scoring in the third quarter, Sehome got on the scoreboard going 58 yards and culminating in a 5-yard touchdown pass from Wright to Watson. The all-conference receiver was shadowed much of the second half by Brady Beaner in a matchup of two of the most talented players in the state.
This opened more opportunities for Quiggle as he finished the game with 5 catches for 83 yards. The Wright to Watson touchdown made the score 35-7 and that is the way the game ended.
Anacortes gets a convincing win and showed why they are still the team to beat in 2A. Sehome settled down after a tough first quarter, displayed toughness, resolve, and why they will be in the mix for a playoff berth in the brutal NWC 2A conference.
The Mariners (1-1) will host Lakewood (1-1) on Friday at Civic Stadium at 7:00.
Anacortes 35 Sehome 7 ANA 28 7 0 0 - 35 SEH 0 0 0 7 - 7 ANA - Bro. Beaner 19 run (kick good) ANA - Bro. Beaner 31 run (kick good) ANA - Walgamott 26 pass from Harrington (kick good) ANA - Bra. Beaner 3 pass from Harrington (kick good) ANA - Webster 8 run (kick good) SEH - Watson 5 pass from Wright (Evans kick) ANA SEH 22-138 Rush Att-Yards 30-41 10-29-0 Comp-Att-Int 14-32-1 129 Passing Yards 157 Individual Leaders RUSHING - ANA: N/A. SEH: Wright 7-39, Smith 6-3, McAlister 13-1, Woods 4-(-2). PASSING - ANA: N/A. SEH: Wright 14-32-1-157. RECEIVING - ANA: N/A. SEH: Watson 6-49, Quiggle 5-83, Duckworth 1-9, Miller 1-9, McAtee 1-7.
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