By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Yesterday afternoon, the Eastside Catholic Crusaders shut out the University Titans, 48–0, to advance to the next round in the 3A state playoffs next week.
The Crusaders opened the game with possession of the ball and quickly set the tone. Running back Cayden Pili started the opening drive with runs of 13 and 6 yards. Quarterback Luca Villasenor then connected with Asa Thompson and Pili on passes that helped move the chains for multiple first downs. Despite a personal foul and a brief stall in their momentum due to penalties, Eastside Catholic took an early 7–0 lead when Wassie Lugolobi pushed through the defense for a 3-yard touchdown run with just over five minutes left in the first quarter.
Eastside Catholic’s defense was equally up to the challenge as they forced a quick three-and-out. Eastside Catholic took possession and went right back to work. Villasenor connected with Tytan McNeal on a 26-yard pass, and runs from Pili and Lugolobi brought the Crusaders near the end zone. Lugolobi struck again, this time on a 4-yard touchdown run—his second of the first quarter—as the Crusaders took a 14–0 lead.
On the next series, Eastside Catholic’s Kato Lugolobi intercepted a pass by University quarterback Aiden Sautter. Villasenor immediately capitalized, connecting with Asa Thompson for 35 yards before Daniel Jones scored on a 15-yard touchdown reception. By the end of the first quarter, Eastside Catholic led 21–0, as they dominated on both sides of the ball.
During the second quarter, University’s offense continued to struggle as they turned the ball over on downs to open the quarter. Eastside Catholic was seemingly unstoppable until a fumble near midfield gave University a slight glimmer of hope. However, Asa Thompson intercepted a pass to quickly shift the momentum back to the Crusaders.
Despite a few penalties and a blocked punt, Eastside Catholic’s defense responded with a strong statement. The Crusaders’ Cade Boehl picked off a University pass and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown, igniting the crowd and extending Eastside Catholic’s lead to 28–0.
Even as the first half was winding down, Eastside Catholic wasn’t done. Villasenor found McNeal for a 21-yard touchdown pass just before halftime. Though the extra point was blocked by University, the Crusaders entered halftime with a comfortable 34–0 lead.
To start the second half, Eastside Catholic picked up right where they left off. The defense forced another turnover on downs, and Villasenor led an efficient drive, completing passes to Madden Vestman, Robert Ingram, and then a deep strike to McNeal for a 56-yard touchdown. With the extra point good, Eastside Catholic extended the lead to 41–0.
University’s offense continued to stall as they were unable to find any rhythm against the Crusader defense. Late in the third quarter, the Crusaders’ Daniel Jones took over, breaking free for a 26-yard run, followed by a 45-yard touchdown run to give Eastside Catholic a 48–0 lead at the end of the third quarter.
University tried to find some late energy in the final quarter behind quarterback Aiden Sautter, who managed several solid runs and short completions to move the ball into scoring position. However, the drive ended abruptly when Kai Kephart fumbled the ball, and Eastside Catholic’s Brendan Keller recovered.
The Crusaders’ second-string players used the running clock strategically and maintained control. On the other side of the ball, the Crusader defense remained tough. Even though University moved the chains a few times late in the fourth quarter, Eastside Catholic kept the Titans off the scoreboard to secure a 48–0 shutout victory.
After the game, Eastside Catholic head coach Dominic Daste commended his team for remaining resilient and fighting through the referee’s calls.
“Obviously, we had some speed bumps with turnovers and penalties,” said Daste. “You know, things aren’t always going to go right, so we had to overcome and keep the pressure on them, and it was a great job by the guys.”
Player Stats
Eastside Catholic Crusaders (Offense):
• Daniel Jones – 9 rushes, 105 yards, 2 touchdowns
• Cayden Pili – 5 rushes, 67 yards; 4 receptions, 39 yards
• Wassie Lugolobi – 6 rushes, 48 yards, 2 touchdowns
• Tytan McNeal – 5 receptions, 117 yards, 2 touchdowns
• Asa Thompson – 1 rush, 8 yards; 3 receptions, 60 yards
• Robert Ingram – 1 reception, 30 yards
• Madden Vestman – 1 reception, 6 yards
• Luca Villasenor – 15 completions, 252 yards, 3 touchdowns
• Cade Boehl – 2 interceptions; 1 rush, 98 yards, 1 touchdown
Eastside Catholic Crusaders (Defense):
• Cade Boehl – 2 interceptions, 1 returned 98 yards for a touchdown
• Kato Lugolobi – 1 interception
• Asa Thompson – 1 interception
• Luca Villasenor – 1 interception
• Aedyn Havili – 1 sack
• Brendan Keller – 1 fumble recovery
University Titans (Offense):
• Aiden Sautter – 6 rushes, 32 yards; 6/13 passing, 124 yards, 4 interceptions
• Grant Petersen – 3 rushes, 33 yards; 3 receptions, 33 yards
• Camren Breeden – 2 rushes, 0 yards; 1 pass attempt (intercepted)
• Kai Kephart – 2 rushes, 0 yards; 1 fumble
University Titans (Defense):
• Camren Breeden – 1 interception
• Aiden Sautter – 3 pass breakups
Photos/Tyler Artis
