By Macerio Clark
The Seattle Medium
O’Dea High School has advanced to its third consecutive WIAA 3A state semifinal appearances with a 35-19 victory over Peninsula Friday night at Memorial Stadium. The Fighting Irish defeated Meadowdale 41-9 in the semifinals in the 2016-2017 season and Bellevue 34-33 in double overtime last season in the semifinals on its way to winning the Class 3A WIAA state championship for the first time since 1995.
This season the Fighting Irish have been nearly unstoppable losing only to top-rankedEastside Catholic 21-7 in week six. Since the week six loss, the Irish had won their last four games by an average of 22.8 points in gearing up for a week one rematch against Peninsula, a contest which O’Dea won 28-0.
The Seahawks of Peninsula’s opening drive would end in a fumble by quarterback Burke Griffin that was recovered by O’Dea at the Peninsula 35 yard line.
O’Dea capitalizing on the excellent field position, scored in six plays capped off by O’Dea running back Cameron Daniels running for a five-yard touchdown on 1stand goal to give the Fighting Irish an early 7-0 lead over the Seahawks.
Looking to even the score field, Peninsula marched down the field to set up a Peninsula 1stand goal where Griffin rushed to the goal line before losing his helmet. Griffin would be forced to miss a play which resulted in a Seahawks fumble that was recovered by O’Dea defensive lineman Alexx Schmidt who returned the fumble 75 yards before being tackled at the Peninsula 24 yard line. After forcing a second turnover of the first half, running back Mark Tafia took it upon himself carrying the ball three times for 24 yards including a 12-yard touchdown run, extending the Fighting Irish lead 14-0 over the Seahawks.
Trailing 14-0 the Seahawks looked to their up-tempo offense forcing O’Dea into two penalties including a roughing the passer call on 4thand goal at the 6 yard line to help keep their scoring drive alive. On the next play, Peninsula running back Braeden Porter rushed for a 3-yard touchdown giving Peninsula its first points of the game as they headed into halftime trailing 14-7.
On its opening drive of the second half, O’Dea scored on a four play, 48 yard drive capped off by a nine yard touchdown run by Tafia that extended O’Dea’s lead 21-7 with ten minutes remaining in the quarter. Peninsula responded with their own scoring drive capped off by Griffin scrambling for a 2-yard touchdown run before the PAT was blocked by an O’Dea defender. This would be the start of what would be the end of the Seahawks as they give up another touchdown by Tafia who scored on a 25-yard run to extend the Fighting Irish lead 28-13.
The following drive would end in a disaster for Peninsula as Griffin would be sacked for a second time by O’Dea defensive lineman Jalen Dixon, this time Griffin would not get up after suffering a broken leg and had to be carted off by the ambulance. Peninsula backup quarterback Peyton Bice’s number was called and he threw three incomplete passes resulting in turnover on downs. On the next play, Tafia ran for a 30-yard touchdown giving the Fighting Irish an 35-13 advantage heading into the final quarter.
O’Dea held on to win 35-19 over Peninsula, Accomplishing this feat was not an easy task as O’Dea head coach Monte Kohler calls this group ‘very special.’
“Getting to the semis is a hard thing,” said Kohler. “I’m really proud of them as we know it’s getting ready to come to an end … it’s been a fun past couple of seasons.”
Tafia was a man amongst boys in the game rushing for 186 yards on 12 carries and 3 touchdowns.
“He knows how to win,” said Kohler about Tafia after the game. “He’s been a leader on this team he knows when it’s his time to make plays, big games he’s always there.”
O’Dea will play Mountain View in the WIAA 3A state semifinals this Sat., Nov. 24at Skyline Stadium at 1:00 p.m.
Pictorial Highlights of O’Dea vs Peninsula
