SILVERDALE — The Sequim Wolves had to deal with two opponents in their Class 2A state quarterfinal football game: the Lynden Lions and the elements.
They had problems with both.
Sequim was eliminated from its deepest playoff run in school history after falling to the second-ranked Lions 31-0 amid Saturday night’s rain and bluster at Silverdale Stadium.
Lynden quarterback Jordan Hastings put up 150 yards of offense as the Lions took advantage of several Sequim miscues to earn its fourth straight trip to the 2A semifinals.
“We just didn’t make plays,” Sequim coach Erik Wiker said. “It’s not like they kicked our butts. I think we did it to ourselves.”
Strong winds and rain clearly affected the Wolves (10-2) from the outset.
An offense that scored 34 points against No. 10 Burlington-Edison in its first-ever state playoff win a week before managed just 118 total yards and five first downs against the Lions.
Dropped passes, turnovers and penalties all hurt the Wolves, who were shut out for the first time this season.
“More than anything I think [the conditions] got into our players’ heads,” Sequim lineman Thomas Gallagher said.
“It comes down to the point where you’ve got to be able to play in every situation.
“Turnovers, dropped passes . . . it wasn’t a physical thing. It was all mental. We had to stay calm and just play our game, and we didn’t tonight.”
Sequim turned the ball over five times, indirectly resulting in 24 of the Lions’ points, with quarterbacks Drew Rickerson and Frank Catelli each throwing an interception.
Wolves runners also lost three fumbles inside their own territory, once when Rickerson was hit at the line on a designed draw, another when Isaac Yamamoto mishandled a pitch and the third on a botched snap.
“It’s unfortunate that when we get to the big games that you’ve got to play in the worst conditions, but that’s part of it,” Lynden (11-1) coach Curt Kramme said.
“It’s the same for both teams, and I thought our kids were tough both mentally and physically.”
Rickerson finished 3-of-15 for 17 yards and one interception passing, while leading rusher Travis Decker was held to 71 yards on 16 carries.
Sequim’s running game as a whole only had 95 yards on the night.
“[The conditions] were huge,” Kramme said. “It stifled their offense. [Our game plan] changed greatly once we realized that the throwing game wasn’t going to be a part of the game tonight.
“We thought we were going to get our pass defense tested, but obviously the conditions sort of prevented that.”
Sequim’s offensive struggles overshadowed what was an impressive performance by the Sequim defense.
The Wolves held Lynden to just 201 total yards, with four of the team’s five scoring drives all originating in Sequim territory.
Sequim even managed to stuff the Lions on two straight plays on the 1-yard line, holding them to a field goal after Lynden had recovered a fumble inside Sequim’s 5.
“Our defense really stepped up to the challenge and proved that we could play with them,” Gallagher said. “They are a very good football team. but they are not super human.
“I think nine out of 10 times we beat them. The score did not dictate the game. It was not a 31-0 game.”
Lynden took advantage of both of Sequim’s first-half mistakes.
The first was a Rickerson fumble at the Wolves’ 11-yard line, which the Lions eventually converted into a Hastings 3-yard touchdown.
Yamamoto mishandled a pitch two possessions later to give Lynden the ball at Sequim’s 33.
Four plays later, Hastings found Blair Bomber for a 20-yard touchdown strike — a pass that went through the hands of a Sequim defensive back — to give the Lyons a 14-0 advantage they would take into the half.
It was more of the same in the second half, as Rickerson fumbled a snap on the team’s first play from scrimmage.
That led to a 20-yard field goal from Santiago Lopez that gave the Lions a 17-0 edge.
Once Sequim finally caused a turnover of its own on defense — a fumble recovered at the Lynden 24-yard line midway through the third quarter — the offense managed just four yards and turned the ball over on downs.
Lynden put together a 6-play, 80-yard drive immediately after that, capped by Hastings’ 52 yard touchdown run.
That essentially put the game away, with Lynden up 24-0 with less than a minute to go in the third quarter.
It was the only Lions drive that went for more than 50 yards all night.
“It was disappointing how [the season] ended, more than that it did end,” Wiker said of Sequim’s performance.
“It was a great season. I think this is the best group of kids I’ve had, not only talent-wise, but also team-wise and fun-wise.
“It’s been a pleasure to coach these guys, and I’m proud of them. I’m glad that they did do something that’s never been done at Sequim before. That is an accomplishment.”
Sequim graduates 14 seniors from this year’s team, including its leading rusher (Decker), receiver (John Textor) and three three-year starting offensive linemen (Gallagher, Jake Dethlefsen and Roman Turner).
Rickerson is one of 14 juniors that will return next fall, looking to improve on the Wolves’ school record 10 wins and first-ever state quarterfinal appearance.
“There’s so many doors that we opened for this team,” Gallagher said. “We’ve proved we can win here [at state]. The teams that follow have to capitalize on that, go and win every single year. Let’s create a dynasty.
“I just wish it could have been us. I really do.
“It hurts a lot more than I thought it would.”
Lynden 31, Sequim 0
Lynden 0 14 10 7– 31
Sequim 0 0 0 0– 0
Second Quarter
LN–Hastings 3 run (Lopez kick)
LN–Bomber 20 pass from Hastings (Lopez kick)
Third Quarter
LN–Lopez 20 field goal
LN–Hastings 52 run (Lopez kick)
Fourth Quarter
LN–Varner 6 run (Lopez kick)
Individual Stats
Rushing– SE: Decker 16-71, F. Catelli 3-23, Rickerson 4-(minus 18), Yamamoto 2-(minus 3), Oliver 1-1. LN: Hastings 22-122, Bajema 10-21, Bomber 6-9, Varner 4-7, Braam 1-4.
Passing–SE: Rickerson 3-15-1, 17; F. Catelli 2-8-1, 17. LN: Hastings 5-15-0, 38.
Receiving–SE: Decker 1-4, Yamamoto 1-8, Textor 1-5, Anastasi 1-9, C. Catelli 1-9. LN: Bomber 3-26, Seto 1-1, Gudde 1-11.
