History: Decatur football rolls to first-ever state tournament undefeated
When darkness prevented another first-team snap at Wednesday evening’s practice, Matt Vaeena called a traditional concluding huddle for a not-so-traditional reason: 3A NPSL Awards.
One by one, Decatur’s head coach requested players to rise above kneeling teammates for recognition. Only then would Vaeena break the news: “Jasonni Prum, co-Defensive Player of the Year,” Vaeena said to a chorus of hype, the penultimate award-winner after a laundry list of first- and second-team honorees.
Last, but certainly not least: Vaeena turned to senior quarterback Spencer Holloway.
“QB1,” Vaeena said. Holloway stood with a smile.
“Spencer’s the 3A NPSL Player of the Year.”
From the lowest of valleys, Holloway had reached the mountaintop — and so had Decatur. With 35 total touchdowns to just four interceptions, the 5-10 quarterback guided the Golden Gators to an undefeated 10-0 campaign, piling early, statement wins over Enumclaw, local rival Federal Way, and 4A-Skyview.
“It’s been a roller coaster ride,” he told The News Tribune on Wednesday. “Our young guys stepped up. Our leaders, our seniors, we all stepped up and made plays and did what we had to do to get it done.”
And Holloway will be known in the hallways as the quarterback that led Decatur to its first state football tournament in school history. Last weekend’s 39-29 win over Bishop Blanchet in the 3A Round of 32 clinched a coveted spot in the 16-team bracket.
That’s right – the Gators are officially dancing.
At what point did Holloway realize something this special was in the cards?
“I knew in the offseason,” he said. “The amount of work we were putting in, every day, waking up for those early mornings.
“I knew last year that this group would be special.”
It’s a story of resilience. In 2021, a freshman Holloway started at quarterback in Decatur’s one-win season. His sophomore year? Three wins.
Then, in 2023, a revelation: Decatur won eight games and finished runner-up in a competitive 4A NPSL, behind only Kennedy Catholic.
None of it tops this. On Friday night, Decatur hosts Mount Tahoma for the first state playoff game in Gators history. A win pushes them into the 3A quarterfinals.
“It’s just really cool to see it come to fruition,” Vaeena said. “We talked about it when (the seniors) were freshmen… Honestly, just (trying) to convince them that this could happen.
“That’s kind of your job as a coach, right? To make them believe something that was so far-fetched. As ninth graders, that seemed so far-fetched.”
HOLLOWAY GUIDES ‘VERSATILE’ OFFENSE
Decatur’s dual-threat quarterback threw 23 touchdowns to just four interceptions and completed 64 percent of his passes across his sparkling senior campaign. A key rusher in a dynamic committee, Holloway piled 679 rushing yards and 12 scores on the ground – good for 35 total touchdowns.
The game-changing connection? WR Maddox Heyliger was Holloway’s top target, the recipient of 37 catches for 615 yards and eight touchdowns. They’ve played more varsity football for Decatur than anyone, Vaeena said.
“There’s a lot of cool things I’ve watched develop over this year,” Vaeena continued. “(Spencer and Maddox) is one of them, watching those guys.”
The chemistry is undeniable. Vaeena joked Decatur coaches have to remind Holloway that other receivers are open downfield.
But there’s a reason he feeds the 3A NPSL’s receptions leader.
“(Maddox) goes up and makes plays,” Holloway said. “I can always trust him in big spots.
“He makes (my job) a lot easier.”
They’re certainly battle-tested, too. In Vaeena’s words, the pair “took their lumps together” over the years.
“Just crazy to think that we were 1-9 when I was a freshman,” Holloway said. “Now we’re hosting a state playoff game with the chance to go on to bigger things.
“The goal is Husky Stadium for us, and it has been.”
WASHINGTON RETURNS
The cruel timing only made Nehemiah Washington’s preseason injury all the more disheartening.
One day before a crucial Week 1 opener with Enumclaw. In the final moments of practice, at that.
“He broke his arm right here where we’re standing,” Vaeena said Wednesday at Decatur High’s practice field. “Probably with 15 minutes left in our last contact session before the Enumclaw game.”
The 2023 TNT All-Area running back and two-way starter missed the season’s first eight games, returning to play with a cast and protective padding for Decatur’s senior night vs. Todd Beamer on Halloween. He’s “100 percent” on defense, logging 5.5 sacks in 2.5 games since the return.
And as a rusher? Vaeena said Washington is “just about fully back.”
Just in time.
“He’s the hardest worker on this team,” Holloway said. “He’s the heart and soul of the team. So (him) going down in that first week, we really had to step it up. And I really think that helped us grow as a team.
“With him going down, it built everybody else up. Now that we have him back, we’re full steam ahead for the playoffs.”
Decatur’s state debut is here. The Gators host Keith Terry’s T-Birds for a 7 p.m. kickoff Friday night at Federal Way Memorial Field. The winner meets No. 2 O’Dea or No. 15 Mercer Island in the 3A quarterfinals.
The matchup to monitor: Mount Tahoma’s offense (42 PPG last four games) pitted against a Decatur defense allowing just 9.4 points per game this season.
“We’re looking to get into the game, play clean, and let the chips fall where they may,” Vaeena said. “We feel pretty good about our kids. We have all year long.
“And there’s no reason not to now.”
This story was originally published November 15, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
