Sehome football clinched the 2A Northwest Conference’s fourth and final playoff spot in a 42-10 thumping of cross-town rival Squalicum Friday, Oct. 25 at Civic Stadium.
The Mariners will be competing in the new 32-team playoff bracket with the potential of reaching the state playoffs for the first time since the 2018–19 season. If Sehome wins that game, they will be re-seeded along with the other 15 winners and placed in a 16-team state bracket.
“We have been dreaming about this since freshman year,” Sehome junior quarterback Nolan Wright said. “We are ready for a state run.”
Sehome secured the victory with the aerial attack from Wright to senior wide receiver Andre Watson. Wright broke the school record for career passing touchdowns and now sits at 58, while Watson extended his school record of career touchdown receptions to 38. Watson also broke the Whatcom County career receptions record last week and is now up to 176 receptions.
Gallery: Sehome football clinches playoff spot
Watson finished the night with five receptions for 84 yards and three touchdowns. His three touchdowns came on a 10-yard cross to make it 7-0, a contested 34-yard catch to make it 21-0 and a 13-yard catch to make it 35-7.
Wright believes all the new records have been through the support of coach Brian Young.
“Nobody knew what to expect when a new coach came in a couple years ago,” Wright said. “(Brian) has done nothing but help us win. He is a great guy and helped build our chemistry.”
Wright was also responsible for a 22-yard rushing touchdown on a quarterback draw to make it 28-0 in the second quarter.
Squalicum’s lone touchdown came on the following possession when Laki Fagaautau rushed for a 4-yard score. He finished with 13 carries for 103 yards and the touchdown. Squalicum’s Slade Kaiser also nailed a 31-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to add the final points to the scoreboard.
Squalicum’s final game will be against Bellingham at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1. Sehome will host Archbishop Murphy at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31.
“I truly believe it is not about the team name,” Watson said. “I believe we have the ability to beat any team.”
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
