Seton Catholic faced its first top-10 opponent of the season, and the Cougars did not miss a beat.
Kolten Gesser threw three touchdown passes, two to Ryker Ruelas and Jacob Williams rushed for two scores — all in the first half — as Seton built a 42-12 halftime lead en route to 49-12 win over previously unbeaten Kalama on Friday.
“Our focus before halftime was 40 (points) at halftime,” Gesser said. “That was awesome, and again, all facets of the game — defense doing their job, getting the ball back for us, and offense doing their job scoring.”
The Cougars have scored at least 41 points in all six of their wins, and they have not allowed more than 14.
When Kalama scored on its first possession on Friday, it was the first time Seton had allowed an opponent to score in the first quarter all season.
Gesser has thrown 26 touchdowns against just one interception. He has not been sacked all season.
The Cougars are averaging 10.25 points a play, while allowing just 3.44.
Williams, Ruelas and Joe Callerame each have scored more points as individual than all of Seton’s opponents have scored combined.
Seton hosts King’s Way Christian in its final home game of the regular season on Friday. Then the Cougars wrap up the Trico League season with road games against Stevenson and La Center, with the latter being a much-anticipated showdown on Nov. 1.
The news was not so good for Kalama. After scoring a touchdown on the Chinooks’ opening possession, quarterback Aiden Brown left the game with a hamstring injury and did not return.
Track talent translates for King’s Way Christian
Caleb Silva wasn’t sure he’d try football until after this season started.
King’s Way Christian coach Dale Rule is sure glad the senior did.
Silva caught two touchdown passes in the Knights’ 42-24 win over Stevenson on Friday. He finished with three catches for 43 yards.
Not bad for a player who hadn’t played high school football at any level before this season.
A state track and field champion in the high jump, Silva initially turned out for King’s Way football practices last spring. But an ankle injury in the first practice led him to shelve that idea.
Still Rule, who also coaches track and field, kept trying to get someone with so much athleticism to play football.
Silva didn’t decide to join the team until after the Knights’ first game in early September.
“I get a call “Coach Rule, can I come out Monday? I’m like, ‘done, please!” Rule said.
Silva’s first catch, which came in a 28-7 win over Columbia-White Salmon on Oct. 4, went for a 29-yard touchdown.
Rule is eager to see how else Silva can help a team that is 4-2 and in the hunt for a postseason berth.
“He’s a freak athlete,” Rule said. “He’s learning to catch the ball, but he’s become a difference-maker for us.”
Huber helps Thunder stay balanced
Mountain View’s offense is built around workhorse senior running back Jaden Brown, but a handful of others are performing in complementary roles to keep the Thunder balanced.
For the last three weeks, including Thursday’s 21-0 win over Heritage, senior Dylan Huber has emerged as a key player on both sides of the ball.
Huber scored two touchdowns and grabbed a key interception to help the Thunder (1-5, 1-1 3A Greater St. Helens League) earn their first win of the season.
The senior receiver and defensive back gradually worked his way back into the fold to start the season after having knee surgery in the spring and recovering over the summer. Huber has been a full go since Week 4, and over that three-game stretch he’s posted a combined 352 receiving yards on 28 catches and five total touchdowns.
The Thunder have also installed a package with Huber taking shotgun snaps alongside Brown in the backfield, which yielded a 5-yard touchdown run to put them up by three scores over the Timberwolves in the third quarter.
“He’s kind of hitting his stride,” Mountain View coach Sean McDonald said. “Week 1 was literally his first week working out again, so he started getting in better shape. You probably saw him out there on both sides out there tonight (Thursday) a little bit more. Expect him to be out there on defense more now. But, couldn’t be happier with his play in the last three weeks.”
Shearer is Mr. Everything for Columbia River
Preston Shearer was everywhere on Friday for Columbia River against Hockinson.
But the senior’s biggest moment was when he broke through to block a 26-yard field goal attempt. Ha’aheo Delarose picked up the loose ball and ran 79 yards for a touchdown.
It was a pivotal moment in the Rapids’ 24-14 win.
Shearer also 12 tackles, four tackles-for-loss, two sacks, three forced fumbled.
“He’s been Mr. Everything for us this year,” River coach Dewayne Patterson said. “It’s still crazy to think he’s coming off a broken leg (last season). He’s playing out of his mind right now.”
