Mount Si’s football season has been full of many great games, and last week’s first round state playoff game was no exception. The game last Friday, November 12, was the Wildcats’ first ever home state playoff football game, and they had earned that following a dramatic win November 5 against Glacier Peak. But last Friday was a different story, as they found themselves on the other side of that coin, falling in dramatic fashion to see their season end.
Chandler Jenkins, the Liberty senior known for his excellence on offense, delivered on defense, intercepting a Mount Si pass and taking it back for what turned out to be the game winning score as the Patriots handed the Wildcats a heartbreaking 20-17 loss which ended Mount Si’s season at 6-5.
“We felt like we had to throw that ball. We’ve been successful in it and we just had to get it done,” said a dejected Wildcat coach Charlie Kinnune, who offered praise for Jenkins. “Chandler Jenkins just kind of took over there. He’s awful, awful good,” the coach said.
The Wildcats opened the scoring in the first quarter with a 73-yard touchdown run by senior Shelby Williams, who outran several Liberty defenders to reach the end zone. The Patriots quickly responded by returning the ensuing kickoff deep into Mount Si territory, and Jenkins finished things off with a 20-yard run into the end zone for the game-tying touchdown.
Liberty took the lead late in the first quarter with a 23-yard TD connection from QB Trey Wheeler to receiver Jake Bainton, and that made the score 14-7 Patriots. A field goal attempt at the halftime buzzer by the Patriots’ kicker Trevor Merritt sailed wide left, and it stayed 14-7 at the half.
Mount Si opened the scoring again in the third quarter with a 24-yard Cameron Van Winkle field goal, making it 14-10. The Wildcat defense stiffened up, and that allowed Mount Si’s offense back on the field later in the frame. The Wildcats took full advantage and grabbed the lead thanks to a big play in the air. Mount Si senior QB Ian Ilgenfritz threw a 67-yard pass to receiver Trent Riley and the sophomore did the rest, scoring a touchdown which put the Wildcats up 17-14.
This is how it stayed, thanks partially to another Merritt missed field goal attempt, until two minutes left in the game, when on third down, Ilgenfritz’s pass was intercepted by Jenkins, and about 30 yards later, the Patriot senior was in the end zone, helping his team re-take the lead. Merritt’s struggles continued as he missed the extra point, giving Mount Si an opportunity to force an extra session with a field goal, but Ilgenfritz and crew came up short, turning the ball over on downs and handing the Patriots the win.
Senior Aladdin Schirmer thought the season went well, despite the loss. “I’m extremely happy with how my season went,” he said. Schrimer also praised his team. “I believe in my team 100%. I’m proud of them.”
Liberty moves on to meet Bellevue this week at Bellevue; the Wolverines blasted Timberline from Lacey last Friday as well to move into the second round.
