Colin Reynolds sprinted for the end zone. No linebackers or defensive backs were in pursuit, only his Charles Wright Academy football teammates.
He did the same thing earlier in the game, breaking through for the Tarriers’ only touchdown, but this was even better.
It was a celebratory run after his team’s 7-6 win over Eatonville earned the 1A Nisqually League title and a trip to the state playoffs for the first time since 1989.
“To be running back there knowing we got the league championship was just an amazing feeling,” Reynolds said. “We are trying to build a program here. This was a huge step for it.”
Reynolds’ 9-yard run late in the fourth quarter prevented Eatonville from securing a league title in its first season playing below the 2A level in 18 years.
“This was the kind of modern-day success that Charles Wright has craved,” Tarriers coach Michael Finch said. “We are an academic institution. We are a cross country school. We are a soccer, a tennis and a knowledge bowl school. Now to add football to that mix is huge.”
But things weren’t shaping up so well for CWA through three quarters.
Faced with a fourth-and-7 play in the fourth quarter, QB Fritz Jacobson rolled to his right and hit Colin Hungate 13 yards down the field to extend the possession.
It led to Reynolds’ tying touchdown.
“I just saw that hole, I cut back and hit is as hard as I could,” Reynolds said.
Travis Sowell kicked the extra-point and CWA relied on its offensive and defensive lines.
On defense, Beau Iverson, Jon Bruce, Wunmi Oyetuga and Robert Luke Jr. held Eatonville to 85 yards on 27 carries. Luke also blocked Eatonville’s extra-point attempt in the second quarter.
On offense, the same linemen helped mount a clock-killing drive late in the fourth quarter to clinch the win.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.