Cedarcrest becomes 5th school to forfeit to Archbishop Murphy

For the second time this week and the fifth time this season, Archbishop Murphy High School has received word that a Cascade Conference opponent will forfeit a regularly scheduled football game against the Wildcats.

On Tuesday night it was announced that Cedarcrest would not play its Oct. 28 game with Archbishop Murphy. That followed an announcement earlier in the week by Cedar Park Christian-Bothell that it would forfeit Friday’s game with the Wildcats.

As with earlier forfeits by South Whidbey (Sept. 23 game), Sultan (Sept. 30) and Granite Falls (Oct. 7), this week’s forfeits are due to opponents’ concerns about player safety against the bigger, faster and stronger Wildcats.

But under the heading of good news for Archbishop Murphy, Olympic of Bremerton has said it will honor its commitment to play a non-conference game on Oct. 21 at Terry Ennis Stadium. It will be the Wildcats’ homecoming game.

Archbishop Murphy officials — specifically head football coach and athletic director Jerry Jensen, principal Alex Crane and president Steve Schmutz — have remained unavailable for comment this week on the forfeits and on peripheral issues related to the forfeits (the school did put out a press release on Wednesday afternoon confirming the Cedarcrest forfeit).

Jensen, however, did comment Tuesday in a blog posting for the Kitsap Sun.

Speaking of Olympic, Jensen said: “Thank God that (coaching) staff and that community has a little bit of integrity.”

In his only other published remark about the string of forfeits, Jensen said: “I couldn’t have imagined it in 1,000 years. I would have bet my life against it.”

Also unavailable for comment on Wednesday was Cedarcrest athletic director Jason Frederick.

Archbishop Murphy, a Class 2A school that has one of the state’s top football teams at any level, began its season with impressive victories against Issaquah (73-0), Blanchet (59-0) and King’s (38-0). The latter ended up being the only Cascade Conference game the Wildcats will play this season, and preceded by a few days the first of the forfeits by South Whidbey.

Further ahead for Archbishop Murphy is a crossover game with the No. 4 team from the Northwest Conference, either on Nov. 4 or 5. If the Wildcats win, they would advance to the state playoffs in pursuit of the first Class 2A state football championship in school history.

A year ago Archbishop Murphy took a 12-0 record into a state semifinal game against Tumwater, but lost 24-21. A week later Tumwater lost to Prosser in the title game.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips defenseman Kaden Hammell passes the puck up ice as Winterhawks forward Josh Zakreski tries to forecheck during Everett's 4-3 loss in Game 5 of the WHL Western Conference Semifinals at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington on April 18, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Silvertips face elimination after last-minute Game 5 loss

Darby’s tip-in with a minute left secures 4-3 win and 3-2 series lead for Portland.

Weekend prep boys soccer roundup for April 18-19

Spartans win in double overtime

Washington Wolfpack's Ed Crouch Jr. leaps to try and escape a tackle by Nashville Kats' Derrick Maxwell Jr during the game on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Wolfpack slip in second-half blowout to Nashville

After trailing by five at half, Washington falls 68-20 to the Kats in third straight loss.

Stanwood outfielder Luke Brennan picks up the ball and gets it back to the infield during a playoff loss to Kentlake on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Kent Meridian High School in Kent, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep baseball roundup for Thursday, April 17

The Spartans complete comeback on a walk-off walk.

Everett’s Anna Luscher (6) gets an out at second during a Class 3A District 1 softball championship game between Snohomish and Everett at Phil Johnson Fields in Everett, Washington on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Everett won, 10-0. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Prep softball roundup for Thursday, April 17

Everett squeaks by Snohomish on late save

Prep track & field roundup for Thursday, April 17

Marysville Getchell sweeps three-team meet.

Prep roundup for Thursday, April 17

Jackson boys, Stanwood girls golf earn close wins.

Prep girls tennis roundup for Thursday, April 17

Kamiak sweeps doubles to earn close win over Mariner.

Weekend prep roundup for April 18-19

Wyatt Sandven shoots under par to lead Spartans.

Edmonds-Woodway senior Ella Campbell winds up to deliver a pitch against Archbishop Murphy in the Warriors' 9-2 win in Edmonds, Washington on April 16, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway softball makes Wesco South statement

Campbell strikes out eight and the Warriors’ bats come alive in 9-2 win against Archbishop Murphy.

Prep baseball roundup for Wednesday, April 16

Terrace hands Stanwood second loss of season.

Glacier Peak’s Sammie Christensen pulls in a deep fly ball against Lake Stevens on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep softball roundup for Wednesday, April 16

Grizzlies put 21 runners on base to blow by Arlington.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.