Although it was the University of Washington Huskies that defeated the Washington State Cougars 38-21 in this season's Apple Cup held at Century Link Field on Nov. 26, graduates from the Highline area high schools representing both Seattle and Pullman had cause to be thankful and excited.

For the Husky football squad, seniors Senio Kelemete and Everette Thompson plus junior Luther Leonard led the way as they looked forward to bowl game action which turned out to be the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio against the Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III-led Baylor Bears on Dec. 29.

After an outstanding high school career - including being honored as the Seamount League's Lineman of the Year on both offense and defense - at Evergreen High School, the 6-4, 301-lb Kelemete played in eight of the Huskies' 12 games as a defensive tackle in 2008. The 2007 Wolverine graduate notched three unassisted tackles during the season.

Following a switch to offensive guard during the next spring, Kelemete played in 12 games during the 2009 season, starting 11 of them at right guard while earning honorable mention All-Pac-10. He was also named the John P. Angel Lineman of the Year at the Huskies' postseason awards banquet.

In 2010, the Husky offensive lineman started all 13 games at left tackle while winning the team's offensive Weight Lifting Award at the end of the season.

Success followed the former Evergreen standout throughout this 2011 season, as well. As a team captain for the second straight season, another John P. Angel Offensive Lineman of the Year Award followed, as well as second team All-Pac 12 honors.

In an interview conducted after this season's Apple Cup, Kelemete was happy about the win while also looking to the future.

"In our blocking schemes it's physical," admitted the former Wolverine. "When one lineman sees another lineman 'pancake' his man, the other linemen follow him and produce more pancakes. It felt like our whole line fed off each other. Right now, we just want to do the things that got us here and stay focused for the bowl game. After college, I want to get ready for the combines and other pro tryouts. When I started college football, the biggest adjustment I had to make was scheduling my studies around practices. The players are also bigger and faster."

2007 Kennedy Catholic graduate Everette Thompson concluded his regular season UW career after playing a fine game against the Cougars.

"Our defensive front was great," said Husky head coach Steve Sarkisian in a post game interview. "Everette Thompson is as steady as they come."

Former Lancer star Thompson contributed three solo tackles and an assisted tackle from his defensive end position while putting intense rush pressure on the Cougar quarterback.

For the season, the previously honored PrepStar and Superprep magazine All-American and Class 3A high school Associated Press All-state first team defensive lineman (2007) finished the 2011 UW regular season with 19 solo tackles out of 20 credited stops after starting the first three games at defensive tackle before concluding with nine consecutive games at defensive end. He was also credited with one fumble recovery.

He was named Pac-12 Special teams Player of the Week following the Hawai'i game when he blocked two PATS. Against California, Thompson earned a season-high six solo tackles against California and was a game captain for the Nebraska game. At the team's post-season banquet, he won the Husky Lifting Award.

"Our line just came together," Thompson stated after the Apple Cup game. "We were able to push up and get outside rushes. Sizewise in college, there's a lot more competition because the players are bigger and faster. It's a matter of who has the heart to compete. We want to focus on winning our bowl game. after that, I want to work hard and look forward to working out to prepare for the NFL combines."

As a true freshman in 2008, Thompson played 11 of the Huskies' 12 games and started the final three games of the season. At the Awards banquet, he won the Travis Spring Most Outstanding Freshman (Defense) award. A major highlight of his season was a season-high four tackles, including three for a loss and a sack against UCLA.

Throughout 2009, the Husky lineman continued his steadily superb play after missing the first two games. Playing the final 10 match ups, he started three games at one defensive tackle position with his most outstanding game being at Oregon State. In this game, the 6-6, 272 pounder, completed three tackles, including a15-yard sack, and forced a fumble.

2010 was true breakout year, as Thompson started five games at defensive tackle sandwiched between three seasoning opening starts at defensive end and five regular season-ending starts again at defensive end.
Against USC, he collared a season-high six tackles, including a sack, in the win. He also made six stops against Oregon while notching four tackle games against California, Washington State and Stanford.

Also on the University of Washington roster was Evergreen High School graduate Luther Leonard, who was excellent as a quarterback and defensive back for the Wolverines in 2007 as a senior teammate of Kelemete.
Redshirted in his true freshman season of 2008, Leonard made the traveling squad on several occasions, but did not see game action.

While not seeing game action in 2009, he spent the year as a member of the Huskies' service teams before switching from quarterback to wide receiver during the spring of 2009. The 6-2, 190 pound athlete once again saw no game action in 2010, but played against Utah and Stanford this season.

Despite missing out on bowl game action this season, a pair Highline area standouts look forward to a strong future for the Cougars (and recently named head coach Mike Leach).

On the Washington State roster, Kennedy Catholic alum Nolan Washington started at right cornerback in his redshirt sophomore year. Against the Huskies, Washington was credited with three solo tackles and one assisted tackle.

By the end of the 2011 season, Washington had earned 19 solo tackles out of 25 total tackles.

After completing a solid Lancer high school career, including Associated press Class 3A All-State first team defensive back recognition, Washington redshirted in 2009 before earning a varsity letter in his 2010 redshirt freshman year that included starting all 12 games. He recorded 32 total tackles, including 26 solo and completed a season-high five tackles, four solo, against Montana state. In other big games, Washington made four tackles and grabbed an interception against California and finished with four solo tackles against Washington.

Corey Laufasa was on the Cougar roster as a junior reserve fullback. Laufasa earned four varsity letters at Evergreen High School where he was team captain each of his last three seasons. As a senior, the 6-0, 246 pounder was named All-Seamount League at both linebacker and running back.

Entering the U.S. Military Academy, the Wolverine graduate was a member of the Army football team in 2008 and 2009 before walking on to WSU prior to the start of spring drills in 2010 and sat out the season as a redshirt due to the NCAA transfer rules.