HS Football: 1B WCK redeems themselves claims 1st State Championship Football Title

12/6/2024

(Seattle, WA) Wilbur-Crestron-Keller came in with the experience of playing at Husky Stadium and looked to use that experience to take the next step in winning their 1st football state championship.

Liberty Christian of Richland 1st made the State Playoffs in 2012 and won the whole thing. The Patriots were on a mission to capture their 2nd title.

In the 1st half if you looked at all stats but the score you would have thought Wilbur-Creston-Keller was leading by 3 or 4 touchdowns. The Wildcats ran the ball 48 times in the 1st half and rushed for 280 yards scored 4 touchdowns and put up 28 points. They also held the largest margin of possession we’ve ever seen possessing the ball 21:18 of the 24 possible minutes.

Preston Michel led with 14 carries for 122 yards and a TD while Kallen Maioho had 18 carries for 73 yards and 2 touchdowns. Jaeger Brashears ran it 10 times for 51 and a score. The Wildcats did not attempt a single pass and were 4-4 in red zone chances.

No question the Patriots chances to stay in this game were limited but boy did they use the 2:42 of time they did have ball efficiency. The Patriots only ran 9 offensive plays but had 2 big runs from Charlie Branning, a 44-yard sprint and a big 73-yard run late in the 1st quarter and pulled within 20-14 at that time. Then after WCK scored to go up 28-14 with 10-seconds to play in the half there was still time for the Patriots to make something happen.

Trent Ralston received the kickoff and near midfield was about to be tackled when he pitched the ball to Tayton Cruger who broke free along the sideline to finish the 59-yard kickoff return for the touchdown. The PAT failed but it was a new game at the break 28-20.

When the 2nd half kicked-off Liberty Christian had the momentum going their way and quickly cut the difference to just 2 points when Branning busted loose for 39 yards just 35 seconds into the 3rd quarter. The PAT failed but the Patriots were with 2 down 28-26.

The two teams would get some defensive stops and remain a two-point game into the 4th quarter. The Wildcats were in position to add to their lead and scored 18 seconds into the 4th capping off another long drive that was nearly 8 minutes. Kallen Maioho then hit TJ Stoothoff for the two-point conversion giving the Wildcats a 36-26 lead.

After a defensive stand Maioho capped off another long drive of 13 plays and 56 yards with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Dustin Strozyk, the PAT failed to push the lead to 42-26 and about 3 minutes left to play.

Liberty Christian would not give in and quickly scored with 1:57 remaining when Dax Mercure hauled in a pass from Perry Pottle and ran into the endzone for the score. Branning then ran in the two-point conversion and it was a one score game with WCK leading the Patriots 42-34.

After the expected onside kick called by Patriots Head Coach Craig Lukens WCK recovered the ball near midfield. The Wildcats only needed 1 1st down to put the game away as LC had just 1 timeout left. On 3rd and 3 WCK surged forward 4 yards and then went into victory formation to claim their 1st ever State Football Championship trophy.

The Wildcats finished the season 14-0 while handing the Patriots their only loss of the year and they end up 12-1. It is the second, 2nd place trophy for the Patriots.

WCK finished the game with an astounding 40:31 of possession time to LC’s 7:29. The Wildcats ran 85 plays all rushing but 3 pass plays for 439 yards with 29 1st downs. They were 14 of19 on 3rd downs and 4 of 5 on 4th down.

The Thorbeckes MVP went to the Wildcats Preston Michel. We talked to Michel below who gave all the credit to his line of Treven Houston, RJ Dreger

Liberty Christian certainly took advantage of their opportunities racking up 271 total yards on just 31 plays. They ran the ball 16 times for 188 yards led by Charlie Branning with 14 carries for 179 yards and 3 touchdowns.

For the complete box score and all the official stats the link is below along with a link to the full broadcast on the NFHS Network. We also talk with WCK Head Coach and Athletic Director Darin Reppe and our MVP Preston Michel.

Link to Final 1B Bracket

Link to full Box Score

Link to full game broadcast on the NFHS Network (subscription required)