ANACORTES – A week after losing by just two points to the number one team in the state, the Mariners came up short once again on Friday as Anacortes defeated Sehome 34-28 at Seahawk Stadium.
The Mariners began the game by going 60 yards on 12 plays, methodically driving down the field, and stamped the drive when they scored the first touchdown of the game. On third-and-goal from the Aancortes 7-yard line, freshman quarterback Nolan Wright faked a handoff, rolled to his right, and decided to take it himself when he didn’t find anyone open.
Sehome then forced Anacortes to punt, and again drove down the field with powerful runs, and senior fullback Carson Neff was able to punch it into the end zone from two yards out. Grady Evans’ extra point made it 14-0 Mariners.
The Seahawks’ explosive offense couldn’t be contained for much longer, and they were able to put forth some big plays throughout the rest of the quarter, and score two more touchdowns before halftime, including a thrilling 2-yard sweep by Brady Beaner around left end on fourth-and-goal, on the final play of the first half.
Anacortes had all the momentum going into the second half, and was also fortunate enough to be receiving the second half kickoff. The Seahawks were able to get into the red zone on their first drive of the third quarter, but a one-handed interception by sophomore cornerback Andre Watson in the corner of the end zone gave the momentum back to Sehome.
The Mariners then marched 80 yards on 12 plays, and scored on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by senior running back Tommy Funk to give Sehome a 21-14 lead.
The Seahawks’ big-play offense allowed them to quickly go 65 yards on just five plays on their next possession, and Anacortes tied the game at 21 when Rex Larson connected with Carson Portz from 11 yards out.
Sehome then was forced to punt, but moments later it was senior safety Jackson Dew who made a huge heads-up play by intercepting a deep pass off of a deflection to give the ball back to the Mariners in Seahawk territory. Three plays later Wright lofted a ball deep into the end zone which Watson snatched out of the air for a 34-yard touchdown, which gave the Mariners a 28-21 lead late in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter, however, belonged solely to the Seahawks.
Brock Beaner’s 49-yard touchdown run ignited the home crowd, and tied the game at 28, and Brady Beaner’s 4-yard touchdown run late in the contest put Anacortes up for good.
The Mariners had one last chance, but an incomplete pass on fourth down turned Sehome away, and it kept Anacortes’ undefeated season alive.
Sehome (3-3) will travel to Archbishop Murphy (0-5) on Friday to take on the Wildcats at 7:00.
Anacortes 34 Sehome 28 SEH 7 7 14 0 - 28 ANA 0 14 7 13 - 34 SEH - Wright 7 run (Evans kick) SEH - Neff 2 run (Evans kick) ANA - Bro. Beaner 9 run (Barton kick) ANA - Bra. Beaner 2 run (Barton kick) SEH - Funk 1 run (Evans kick) ANA - Portz 11 pass from Larson (Barton kick) SEH - Watson 34 pass from Wright (Evans kick) ANA - Bro. Beaner 49 run (Barton kick) ANA - Bra. Beaner 4 run (kick blocked) SEH ANA 34-139 Rush Att-Yards 29-166 12-24-1 Comp-Att-Int 10-16-2 145 Passing Yards 203 Individual Leaders RUSHING - SEH: Funk 15-68, Neff 14-65, Wright 4-10, Watson 1-(-4). ANA: N/A. PASSING - SEH: Wright 12-24-1-145. ANA: N/A. RECEIVING - SEH: Watson 6-84, Duckworth 4-55, Malo 1-7, Neff 1-(-1). ANA: N/A.
