BELLINGHAM – It was a rough first half for the Mariners, as Archbishop Murphy pounded the ball over and over again, which led to a 21-3 second quarter lead. However, the Sehome defense stiffened up in the second half, and used its dynamic passing attack to comeback and defeat the Wildcats 24-21 at Civic Stadium on Friday night.
Archbishop Murphy racked up 72 yards on eight running plays in the opening drive of the game, which culminated with a three yard touchdown run.
The Mariners replied with a big drive of their own, but they stalled out inside the Wildcat 5-yard line and couldn’t come away with any points.
Still haven’t thrown a pass yet, the Wildcats scored again in the second quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run, and they took a 14-0 advantage.
Sehome junior Andre Watson returned the ensuing kickoff past midfield, which helped his team get deep into Archbishop Murphy territory once again, and this time a 20-yard field goal by junior Grady Evans would suffice.
The Wildcats quickly scored their third touchdown of the game on the following drive, this time from 10 yards out, as their running game was looking unstoppable at that point. The Mariners countered with a quick drive that ended with a 16-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Nolan Wright to tight end Braddock Duckworth.
The 6-foot-6 senior was a favorite target of Wright’s throughout the game and led his team in receiving with eight receptions for 93 yards.
Down 21-10 to begin the second half, the Mariners received the opening kickoff and marched down the field and scored on a 17-yard pass play from Wright to Watson. Evans’ extra point made it 21-17, Wildcats.
Archbishop Murphy was able to drive near midfield, but was forced to throw on a 4th-and-long situation and an incomplete pass followed, which gave the ball back to Sehome.
It was a similar drive, that saw junior running backs Solomon McAlister and Fisher Hall fight for tough yardage, and moments later it was Wright to Watson once again, this time from 16 yards out, but again for a touchdown. Not only did the late third quarter play take the lead, it was also Watson’s 100th reception of his career, becoming just the 21st player in Whatcom County history to hit that milestone.
The Mariner defense played with an unbridled intensity, as the momentum shifted in their favor, and was able to stop the Wildcat rushing rushing attack in key moments in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
Sehome was led defensively by sophomore safety Hudson Neff who led his team with 11.5 tackles, and he was aided by junior cornerback Coleby Chambers who logged 9.5 stops.
The Mariners (4-3) will take on Squalicum (3-4) at Civic Stadium on Friday at 7:00.
Sehome 24 Archbishop Murphy 21 ATM 7 14 0 0 - 21 SEH 0 10 14 0 - 24 ATM - 3 yard touchdown run (kick good) ATM - 1 yard touchdown run (kick good) SEH - Evans 20 FG ATM - 10 yard touchdown run (kick good) SEH - B. Duckworth 16 pass from Wright (Evans kick) SEH - Watson 17 pass from Wright (Evans kick) SEH - Watson 16 pass from Wright (Evans kick) ATM SEH 46-303 Rush Att-Yards 28-169 0-4-0 Comp-Att-Int 14-26-0 0 Passing Yards 190 Individual Leaders RUSHING - ATM: N/A. SEH: McAlister 13-93, Hall 9-54, Wright 6-22. PASSING - ATM: N/A. SEH: Wright 14-26-0-190. RECEIVING - ATM: N/A. SEH: B. Duckworth 8-93, Watson 4-58, Quiggle 2-39.
