The Eastside Catholic Crusaders punched their ticket to the WIAA 3A championship game with a 34-21 victory over the Lincoln Abes Saturday afternoon at Sammamish High School.
After forcing Lincoln into a three and out on their first possession, the Crusaders established their offensive presence early as they marched 77 yards down field on their opening drive to take a quick 7-0 lead. On the drive, Eastside Catholic quarterback Kobe Muasau connected with receiver Gee Scott, Jr. on a 30-yard pass play. Muasau followed up with a screen pass to running back Gio Ursino, who scampered 40 yards to the Lincoln 10 yard line, which set-up a 10-yard bubble screen to Scott for the touchdown.
On the Abes second possession, Scott intercepted a pass by Lincoln quarterback Caden Filer at the 47 yardline. Muasau wasted no time getting his team in scoring position, as he connected with tight end Andrew Savaiinaea on a 39-yard pass to give the Crusaders a first down at the Lincoln 8. The play set-up a one-yard touchdown run by running back Sam Adams to give Eastside Catholic a 13-0 lead.
Lincoln got a spark as Julien Simon began running the ball with purpose, as his physical running style helped inspire the Abes to move the chains. However, the Abes first redzone encounter ended with another interception by Scott at the 7 yard line.
But the Abes would not be denied as they forced Eastside Catholic to punt for the first time in the game. The Abes would then take over at their own 34 and march down the field for a 66 yard touchdown drive to pull them within 7 points, at 14-7. On the drive, Lincoln running back Abner Sio-Fetaui, Filer and Simon set the tone on the ground making big play, after big play. Sio-Fetaui capped off the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.
The teams went into the half, with Eastside leading 14-7, after Simon intercepted a pass at the 7 yard line to end an Eastside Catholic scoring threat.
In the third quarter, Eastside Catholic pulled away for good as Ursino scored on a 51-yard touchdown run, and caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Muasau as the Crusaders took a 28-7 lead into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Adams scored on a 5-yard touchdown run for the Crusaders. Filer scored on a one-yard touchdown run, and completed a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Clark to close out the scoring for Lincoln.
With the win, Eastside Catholic (11-1) returns to the WIAA 3A championship game in a rematch of last year’s game with Metro League rival O’Dea (12-0). Earlier this year, O’Dea defeated Eastside Catholic 28-6, handing the Crusaders their only loss of the season.
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Pictorial Highlights of Eastside Catholic vs Lincoln
