SEATTLE — The final score might’ve read a 33-point victory by the Royal Knights over Seton Catholic to win its WIAA all-classification record fifth consecutive Class 1A state title on Friday.
But that doesn’t tell the tale of how close Seton Catholic’s first state championship game appearance was at Husky Stadium, before Royal pulled away for a 61-28 win.
In fact, the final 3 minutes, 15 seconds of the first half, momentum was on Seton Catholic’s side after big plays on defense and special teams gave way to a 21-21 halftime score.
First, came special teams. Ryker Ruelas’ 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown cut Royal’s lead to 21-14.
Then, the defense went to work. Fumbles by Royal on consecutive possessions were recovered by Seton’s Dylan Hamilton and Owen Pitzer.
The latter put Seton at the Royal 18, and two plays later, quarterback Kolten Gesser’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Teddy Wieczorek in the closing seconds tied the game.
“That momentum was crazy,” Ruelas said. “It got us going.”
That kickoff return was Ruelas’ first of the season, and second of his career. What made it even more memorable was the play recently was added to the special teams lineup.
Seton Catholic opened the playoffs with a victory over Chelan, which took a kickoff return back for a touchdown in the teams’ game against Doc Harris Stadium.
“It’s Chelan’s play, and it worked out perfectly,” said Ruelas, a senior, who also had six catches for 55 yards and a touchdown, and also four kickoff returns for 118 yards.
Ruelas said mental mistakes on Seton’s side played a part in Royal’s second-half dominance.
The Knights hadn’t allowed more than 14 points in any of previous eight games, and Royal scored 40 second-half points.
But a 21-21 game at halftime had Seton’s fanbase at its loudest all game.
“Our crowd was bumping,” he said, “and we had a lot of momentum. … That’s a really good team, and we’re a really good team. That second half, it fell apart, but our underclassmen and juniors will keep carrying the way.
“It’s unfortunate we lost at the end.”
UW TOWELS ALL ABOUT ‘SUPERSTITION’ FOR COUGARS
Back in October, Ruelas, Pitzer, Joe Callerame and Jacob Williams attended the Michigan-Washington football game at Husky Stadium — also the site of the WIAA’s Gridiron Classic for a second straight season.
“We’re all saying, ‘Imagine us playing here,’” Ruelas said, “And then look where we are?”
After rushing the field with other fans in celebration of the 27-17 victory over then-No. 10 Michigan, the players got a treat from some current Huskies: towels featuring the UW emblem.
The players wore them during their return trip to Husky Stadium for the Class 1A state championship game. Just like they have in every game since Oct. 10.
“It’s superstition,” Ruelas said.
KING’S WAY NAMED ACADEMIC CHAMPIONS
Seton Catholic wasn’t the only Trico League team at Husky Stadium on Friday.
At halftime, members of the King’s Way Christian football team, including second-year coach Dale Rule, were honored as the WIAA’s 1A football academic state champions. The Knights posted a 1A-best 3.772 grade-point average. The GPA also was tops across all classifications in football.
