Mount Si football denies Peninsula trip to state

Everyone at Roy Anderson Field knew who the seventh-ranked Peninsula Seahawks would turn to on Saturday night when they faced a fourth-and-1 at the Mount Si 30-yard line. Trouble is, the Wildcats knew it, too.

Peninsula, which trailed by three with less than a minute to go, called on senior Danny Welstad on an isolation play up the middle. But Mount Si senior Josh Mitchell broke through the line and wrestled Welstad to his back to preserve the Wildcats’ 17-14 win over Peninsula in a Class 3A state preliminary round game.

“We knew we had to get a great get-off (the line of scrimmage), and everybody busted through,” said Mitchell, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound lineman. “Everybody got pressure, and he ended up coming to me.”

Welstad, who led Peninsula all season and broke the single-season school and South Puget Sound League rushing records, didn’t stand a chance. He finished with 22 carries for 170 yards and a third-quarter score that gave the Seahawks (8-2) their only lead, 14-10.

The Wildcats (7-3) will return to the state round of 16 for the fourth season in a row and face No. 3 O’Dea, which beat Mount Vernon, 50-25, on Saturday. Mount Si hasn’t won a game in the state tournament since 2006.

Peninsula, which was attempting to make its first state appearance since 1996, was limited to 42 first-half yards.

What little success Mount Si had came on the ground. Senior Conner Deutsch pounded out 63 yards on 16 carries, and Elijah Mayfield added 51 yards.

Yet both of the Wildcats’ scores came through the air. Quarterback Ryan Atkinson twice found 6-4, 235-pound tight end Griffin McLain in the end zone. The first came on a 2-yard loft to the right corner just 10 seconds before the half, and the second on an 8-yard lob that put the Wildcats ahead for good with 2:15 to play in the third.

A renewed Seahawks offense moved the ball after halftime – Welstad picked up 153 rushing yards after the break – but Mount Si’s stout defensive line kept Peninsula from scoring down the stretch.

“We definitely would like to redo that game,” said Peninsula senior Austin Havens, who had a 1-yard TD run.

CLASS 4A

At Kentwood 19, Gig Harbor 16 (2OT): Conquerors kicker Mitchell Cox made four field goals, including the winner in double overtime to send Kentwood into the state playoffs.

Kentwood (8-2) will play at No. 10 Skyview (8-2) next week.

The teams ended regulation tied at 13 and both converted field goals in the first overtime period.

At No. 2 Woodinville 56, Curtis 17: The Falcons (10-0) raced to a 21-3 first-quarter lead and never looked back, advancing to the first round of the state playoffs next week where they’ll host Bethel (8-2).

Curtis running back E.J. Deveaux scored on touchdown runs of 7 and 3 yards in the second quarter as the Vikings (5-5) ended their season.

CLASS 3A

At Mountain View 57, Auburn Mountainview 9: The Lions (6-4) ended their first postseason appearance after a short stay, losing the state play-in game to the Thunder (8-2).

Mountain View will take on No. 2 Lakes (10-0) in the first round of the state playoffs.

CLASS 2A

At Franklin Pierce 46, Port Angeles 0: Iopu Ignacio rushed for 155 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Cardinals back to the state playoffs for the first time since 2007. Franklin Pierce (8-2) jumped on the Roughriders early, staking a 33-0 lead at halftime. Quarterback Reilly Peirce ran for two touchdowns and threw a 14-yard score to Issac Howard.

The Cardinals will host Interlake (4-6) in the first round of the state playoffs.

At No. 10 Sequim 40, Eatonville 34: The Wolves (9-1) eliminated the Cruisers (4-6) from the postseason and will host W.F. West (8-2) next week.

CLASS 1A

No. 6 Meridian 42, at Charles Wright 27: After the Tarriers (7-2) closed the gap to two points, 22-20, in the third quarter, the Trojans (8-2) erupted for 20 consecutive points on the way to clinching a state playoff berth.

Staff writer Doug Pacey contributed to this report