SEATTLE — It was the kid from Lakewood, not Lacey, who stole the show.
Much attention before Saturday’s playoff game was given to Jonathan Stewart, the Carolina running back who graduated from Lacey’s Timberline High School.
But Lakes High and University of Washington grad Jermaine Kearse had a game to remember.
Kearse caught the longest touchdown pass in Seahawks postseason history midway through the second quarter. The 63-yard reception beat the previous long of 56 yards from Dave Krieg to Steve Largent against Miami in 1984.
Five plays after Carolina had tied the game at 7, Kearse broke down the middle of the field as Russell Wilson scrambled. Covered tightly by Bené Benwikere, Kearse could only get his right hand free as Wilson’s pass dropping in. One hand was all he needed. After cradling the ball and shaking Benwikere, Kearse ran 35 yards and dove to the left pylon at the goal line.
Kearse finished with a game-high 129 yards on three catches.
After the game, he took a swipe at critics who say Seattle’s receivers are nothing special.
“We are just really pedestrian,” he said. “We just continue to keep walking like average civilians and make plays.”
Stewart finished with 70 yards rushing on 13 carries.
Jump around
The strangest and most entertaining sequence of the game happened just before halftime. With four seconds to play, Carolina lined up for a 35-yard field goal.
Before the snap, Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor got an 8-yard running start and leaped over the line. The 6-foot-3, 232-pound player barely missed blocking Graham Gano’s kick, but Carolina was whistled for offside.
On the second attempt, Chancellor again leaped over the line. He forced Gano to shank the field goal but collided with the kicker, drawing a penalty.
Gano finally converted on the third attempt, cutting Seattle’s lead to 14-10 at halftime.
Simon says: ‘Be ready’
Seattle cornerback Tharold Simon was thrust into the starting lineup Sunday when Byron Maxwell experience shortness of breath before the game.
“I found out about 15 minutes before (kickoff),” Simon said. “It was something that just came up today.”
Simon came through with five solo tackles.
Quick kicks
• Carolina’s touchdown in the second quarter was the first Seattle had allowed since the first half against San Francisco on Dec. 16.
• Seattle cornerback Byron Maxwell experienced shortness of breath before the game and did not play.
• Seattle receiver Paul Richardson suffered a knee injury in the third quarter and did not return.
• With defensive tackle Jordan Hill out with a calf injury, Seattle fullback Will Tukuafu saw action on the defensive line.
