by Paul Moseley

The West Seattle Wildcats hosted the Rainier Beach Vikings at the Southwest Athletic Complex (SWAC) for a varsity football match-up on Friday Sept. 26. Rainier Beach came in with a 2-1 record and a very physical team as West Seattle looked to get their first win of the season.

In an aggressive game that saw Rainier Beach walking backward 4 times in the first half for personal fouls, both teams went after each other for three quarters of football - but it was Rainier Beach who performed in the fourth and went home with a big victory.

Rainier Beach put up the first two scores of the game. In a drive that seemed to put the Wildcats on their heels, Rainier Beach took the opening kick-off and marched straight down the field - capping the drive with a 30 yard run to go up 8-0.

Two possessions later after an interception, Rainier Beach got on the scoreboard again with a creative play by their receiver. Viking QB Simon Robinson IV threw a 20 yard strike to #21 Elijah Williams. Williams, while going to the ground, flipped the ball back to speedster #3 Emmanuel Wells, who ran untouched for 60 yards and a TD. That put the Vikings up 15-0.

The Wildcats got the next two trips to the end zone. Starting on their 20, West Seattle strung together an 80 yard drive that started with a Robert Harrelson 20 yard pass to #21 Jonathan Cheth, and ended with a 30 yard pass to #5 Carter Mensing for the TD, making the score 15-6.

Then, after blocking a Rainier Beach Punt and taking over on the Viking 40, Harrelson found Mensing again for a another 30 yard air mail and West Seattle pulled within 3 at half-time 15-12.

West Seattle took the kick-off in the 2nd half and went right back at it. Supported by strong running from #22 Fynniecko Glover - including a 12 yard run down to the Viking 1 yard line - West Seattle's #44 Gavin Garcia-Penor punched through for a score. Just like that, West Seattle was on top 18-15.

The lead was very short lived. On the ensuing kick-off, it was Viking Emmanuel Wells again as he returned the ball 90 yards for a touchdown, making it 23-18.

The Wildcats drove down to the Viking 35 on the next series but could not convert. Rainer Beach took the ball over on downs and, set up by a 40 yard pass to Viking Anthony Stell, rushed for another quick touchdown and Rainier Beach was up 30-18.

The Vikings scored twice more in the 4th quarter, including one TD on a 30 yard deflected pass that was grabbed by #4 Darrian Sampson and run in for the score.

West Seattle looks better, stronger and more consistent each week - but it was Rainier Beach with the physical and speed advantage and they won big 44-18.

West Seattle takes on Roosevelt next Friday, October 3rd. The game kicks off at 7:45 in Memorial Stadium.

West Seattle Highlights:
#5 Carter Mensing - 2 30-Yard Receptions for Touchdowns
# 22 Fynniecko Glover - 13 carries for 72 yards

Garfield Highlights:
#3 Emmanuel Wells had two break away TD's of 60 and 90 Yards