Wildcats move on to 2A semifinals

TUMWATER

Frustrated by holding penalties and turnovers, the Archbishop Murphy Wildcats finally converted the superior field position they enjoyed most of the game to beat W.F. West of Chehalis 14-7 in a 2A state quarterfinal playoff game Nov. 21 at Tumwater High School.

After giving up a tying touchdown and extra point in the third quarter, Murphy (1-1) had two drives die deep in W.F. West (11-1) territory. The first ended on the first play of the fourth quarter when the West defense mounted a staunch goal-line stand, stopping quarterback Austin VanderWel on fourth-and-goal at the 1. The second ended when VanderWel was intercepted at the 6.

But the defense forced a punt and the return by Alex Martinez set the Wildcats up at the West 33. Seven plays later, Martinez plunged in from the 3 with the game-winning touchdown with 31.6 seconds to play.

“I was just thinking find No. 78 (offensive lineman Julius Tevaga),” Martinez said, “just run right behind that big dog. He’s been doing it all season. I knew they wouldn’t be able to stop us twice.”

On the ensuing kickoff, Murphy kicker Stephen Briede attempted to drill the ball through the W.F. West up men, but it hit one and Murphy recovered the loose ball and ran out the clock.

Murphy advanced to this week’s semifinals at the Tacoma Dome against Lynden. Murphy has a history with Lynden. Archbishop Murphy beat the Lions in last season’s opener, then lost to them in the state semifinals.

The Wildcats also opened this season with a win over Lynden.

“We’re going to have to learn from our mistakes last year,” Murphy coach Dave Ward said. “They’re going to be better than they were the first time. We’d better be better, too.”

Murphy was able to run the ball effectively. Martinez carried 28 times for 141 yards and two TDs. Seven Murphy backs totaled 379 yards rushing. The Wildcats threw four times, three incompletions and one interception.

“We just threw enough to let them know we might,” Ward said. “That drive into the wind in the fourth quarter was really clutch.”

Up to that point, the Wildcats had little to show for their prowess. Their first two drives were killed by holding penalties. Their third — a 16-play, nine-minute monster — ended with a failed fourth-down play at the West 21.

Those drives did accomplish two things: They kept the Bearcats offense on the sideline and they gave Murphy dominant field position.

The latter aspect paid off when West had to punt from its own 16 and a poor kick set Murphy up at the Bearcat 32. Three plays later, Martinez ran in from the 3 to break the scoreless tie with 1:18 to go in the half. It marked the first time the Bearcats had trailed in a game all season.

West produced three big passing plays. A 45-yard pass from quarterback Ben Ternan to Mitch Gueller led to a failed 50-yard field goal attempt. A 42-yard gain on a Ternan-to-Gueller connection was squandered when Gueller lost a fumble at the end of the play. And an 80-yard Ternan-to-Gueller pass from the Bearcats’ end zone produced nothing after Murphy intercepted Ternan at its own 2. Ternan finished 6-for-11 for 183 yards and one interception.

“Wow! They’re a great team,” Martinez said. “We haven’t had a squeaker like that since we played Cedarcrest and I was injured for that game. I was proud of the way the guys stuck together.”

And West was not going to be denied. The Bearcats forced a Murphy punt from the Wildcat 18. Eric Forgione returned it 39 yards to the Murphy 18. And West scored in four plays, the last a 1-yard run by Tyler McCarty.

“We kept playing,” Ward said. “We didn’t let the emotions get to us.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Shorecrest’s Olivia Taylor celebrates after scoring during the 3A district game against Monroe on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls soccer downs Monroe, 4-1

Olivia Taylor’s two goals help Scots earn fourth-straight state berth.

Seahawks offensive linemen Connor Williams (57), Christian Haynes (64) and Laken Tomlinson (70) attempt to block for Geno Smith (7) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024 (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Coe’s Seahawks midseason reports card: The offensive line

Seattle’s struggle to block for Geno Smith and the running game has been a issue.

Jon Brockman, keynote speaker, delivers his address during the Tenth Annual Snohomish County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet Wednesday evening at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett on September 18, 2019.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Snohomish great Jon Brockman returns to teach at alma mater

Former NBA player who starred for the Panthers and UW is relishing role in the classroom.

Prep volleyball roundup for Thursday, Nov. 7

Everett, Monroe win district playoff openers

6 Local volleyball teams ranked state poll.

Lake, Archbishop Murphy and Darrington are all fifth in their respective classifications.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, Nov. 7

Mountlake Terrace soccer headed to state after third upset.

Stanwood’s Michael Mascotti relays the next play to his teammates during football practice on Monday, Aug. 29, 2022 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Experts make their Week 10 predictions

Our trio takes a crack at picking the winners for this week’s gridiron games.

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Oct. 27-Nov. 2

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Oct. 27-Nov. 2. Voting closes… Continue reading

Arlington’s Kaid Hunter and Chase Deberry celebrate Hunter’s touchdown during the game against Lake Stevens on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Eagles move up to No. 6 in final football poll after big win

Glacier Peak checks in at eighth heading into this weekend’s playoffs.

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell gets a shot on goal during the game against the Edmonton Oil Kings on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How future Kraken players are faring so far this season

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell and Julius Miettinen are among prospects performing well.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) runs for a touchdown at Lumen Field on Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Coe’s Seahawks midseason report card: The QB

Geno Smith is one of Seattle’s most polarizing athletes in recent memory.

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, Nov. 6

Lake Stevens girls soccer, A-M volleyball face district setbacks.

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.