SEATTLE — Anacortes football silenced the doubters and won its second straight state title over Tumwater with a 20-10 victory Saturday, Dec. 7 at Husky Stadium in Seattle.
“Last year, I was excited to be here and we were the underdogs,” Anacortes head coach Justin Portz said. “This year, we were the champs and we felt disrespected. Nobody picked us to win or thought we had a chance. The disrespect across the state was Tumwater was going to run all over us. We took that personally and these guys were pissed off.”
Neither team was able to get its offense rolling through much of the day. Tumwater began its first two drives with turnovers on downs while Anacortes had one turnover on downs and a punt.
Gallery: Anacortes football wins back-to-back state titles
“It was tough this year,” Anacortes senior Brock Beaner said. “We were counted out just like last year. People were in my comments with Tumwater buzz and somebody said they were 28-point favorites.”
In the second quarter, Tumwater’s running back Jaylin Nixon fumbled and Anacortes received the ball on its own 45-yard line. Brock Beaner picked up the first of six Seahawk first downs on a third down carry.
On fourth and one, Brady Beaner ran a 3-yard carry to keep the drive alive. A few plays later, quarterback Ryan Harrington found Rylin Lang on a wheel route for a 22-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead.
Harrington finished 10-for-17 for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Brady Beaner had five rushes for 11 yards and three receptions for 27 yards, while Brock Beaner had seven carries for 65 yards and a touchdown.
Tumwater answered on the following drive by marching down the entire field. The Thunderbirds had seven plays within the 5-yard line and Cash Short scored a controversial touchdown on fourth and goal.
Short dove for the pylon and was ruled a touchdown despite his knee going down and the ball being short by half a yard.
In the third quarter, Tumwater opened with a 28-yard field goal to make it 10-7. However, Brock Beaner then broke free for a 66-yard touchdown run to give Anacortes the lead for good.
“Earlier in the game, I was in the same scenario and made the wrong move,” Brock said. “I think they expected a sweep and when the hole was there, I knew I was gone.”
In the fourth quarter, Harrington found Rylin Lang on a deep post pattern for 61 yards. A few plays later, Lang scored on an 8-yard touchdown reception, but the extra point was blocked to make it 20-10.
Afterward, Anacortes’ defense stepped up to the challenge.
“Just like we said last week, this is the Legion of Boom,” Elias “Eazy” Quintino said. “We stayed disciplined and stopped Tumwater. It was an unstoppable force against an immovable object, and the object wins every time.”
Anacortes forced two turnovers on downs in the final six minutes, and four fumbles on the night.
“The No. 1 defense in the state wears purple and white,” Portz said.
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
