EVERETT — It wasn’t quite the journey they envisioned, but they got to the destination.
The Washington Wolfpack completed their season with a 50-21 loss to Wichita on Saturday at Angel of the Winds Arena, but the team managed to make it to the end of a season in which half of the league folded.
“They thought we wouldn’t be able to create a culture within our community because of the previous (Arena Football League) teams that were out here,” said Wolfpack head coach JR Wells, whose team finished with a 2-7 record. “Lots of raving fans. Yeah, the score didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but a the same time, we held our heads up high and finished the season strong.”
This year, the Wolfpack became Everett’s third iteration of the AFL this millennium. The league began the season with 16 teams, but finished with eight franchises, a new commissioner and a lot of player movement.
Despite the tumult, the Wolfpack managed to find some fans. They lost some players to injury and personal decisions, but 15 of the 25 players on the opening day roster stayed to the end. According to Wolfpack general manager Miguel Morga, 1,500 fans attended the season finale. The team received 2025 season ticket deposits from some, and Morga believes the league and his franchise will be stronger next season.
“I’m really optimistic about the direction of the league with (former NFL head coach) Jeff Fisher as the commissioner,” Morga said. “There’s very strong ownership bases with all of the teams, and there’s a ton collaboration.”
Washington and Wichita played on Saturday with their postseason fates already determined. As the bottom two teams, they were left out of the playoffs.
The Wolfpack kept the outcome in doubt for much of the first half. Things looked grim when Regulators defensive back Deldric Shields broke up a pass and screamed “You cannot do this.” Two plays later, Washington did — if only for a moment.
Washington quarterback Diondre Borel — a 35-year-old quarterback who has appeared on 16 pro football rosters since passing for 6,698 yards at Utah State — found Max Novak for a 12-yard TD. Melissa Strother kicked the extra point for Washington’s lone lead of the game, 13-12 with 5:40 to go in the first half.
The Regulators put it away 28 consecutive points spanning halftime. Though the score was disappointing to most of the Wolfpack, they were encouraged by fan support and hope for a better 2025.
“I’m tired, and I’m sore, but I feel uplifted just from the good things that I see around the community,” said wide receiver and defensive back J.R. Nelson, who finished second on the team with 24 tackles while catching 19 passes for 219 yards during the season.
Borel, who spent time as a wide receiver with three NFL teams, completed 19 of 27 passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns. Jordan Pouncey led the Wolfpack with eight catches for 72 yards. Former Washington Husky DeShon Williams caught five passes for 47 yards and sacked Regulators quarterback Joseph Hess in the end zone for a safety.
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