BELLINGHAM – It was about an even of a game as it could get. Both teams scored touchdowns on perfect pass plays in the first quarter. It was again tied at 14 going into half time. The Tigers scored their last TD of the game in the third, and the Mariners answered in the fourth, but the blocked extra point following the final score was the difference as Centralia bested Sehome 21-20 at Civic Stadium on Saturday.
The offensive line greatly improved from the first two games, by averaging over four and half yards a carry and they didn’t allow a sack. Quarterback Jacob Kaepernick took advantage of his time in the pocket, and completed 15-of-25 passes for 201 yards and his first three touchdown passes of the season.
Junior Tim Malo was his main target, and he increased his margin as Whatcom County’s leading receiver by catching seven passes for 76 yards and two touchdowns, including a 2-yard slant with only minutes remaining in the contest.
The Mariners did force a Tiger punt late in the game to give Sehome one last chance, but a deep desperation pass was intercepted.
The Sehome defense played well and was led by strong safety Colin Dorsch and inside linebacker Dawson Smith.
The Mariners (1-2) will travel to Mercer Island (2-1) on Friday.
Centralia 21
Sehome 20
CEN 7 7 7 0 – 21
SEH 7 7 0 6 – 20
SE – Malo 23 pass from Kaepernick (Nelson kick)
CEN – 27 yard touchdown pass (kick good)
SE – Nelson 14 pass from Kapernick (Nelson kick)
CEN – 2 yard touchdown run (kick good)
CEN – 4 yard touchdown pass (kick good)
SE – Malo 2 pass from Kaepernick (kick blocked)
CEN SEH
39-231 Rushing Att-Yards 17-78
5-11-1 Comp-Att-Int 15-25-1
98 Passing yards 201
Individual Leaders
RUSHING – SE: Dorsch 7-40, Smith 5-25, Kaepernick 5-13. CEN: N/A.
PASSING – SE: Kaepernick 15-25-1-201. CEN: N/A.
RECEIVING – SE: Malo 7-76, Nelson 3-65, Smith 2-27, Clark 2-19, L. Evans 1-14. CEN: N/A.
