Wellington High’s football squad absolutely rolled Seminole Ridge in a 35-8 non-district game on August 28, completely avenging last year’s frustrating one-point loss and proving these young Wolverines are growing up fast. This isn’t just another early season win, it’s a statement: all five touchdowns came from sophomores as Wellington improved to a dominant 2-0 record.
These Sophomores Are NOT Playing Around
Coach Pete Walker’s second season is already looking completely different from last year’s 3-7 stumble. He was laying a foundation, for sure, but who knew it would pay off this fast? These underclassmen, who were freshmen last year and got a ton of reps, are now showing they put in that year-round training. Walker himself said, “They are young. Last year, we started a lot of freshmen, and now they are a year older and they put in year-round training.” This isn’t just talk, the results are on the field.
Offense Explodes With Star Power and Smart Adjustments
You want to talk about players elevating their game? Running back Jay’Lan Tyler, who was the second-leading rusher last year, carried the ball 12 times for a ridiculous 112 yards and punched in two touchdowns. Then there’s wide receiver Tarrens Catul, already fielding offers from powerhouse Division I schools like Notre Dame and Miami. He snatched four passes for 59 yards and a score, including a highlight-reel 24-yard grab between two defenders. With Jonathan Paul gone, sophomores Makhi Price and Alanda Shaw are sharing the quarterback duties. Price threw for 109 yards and a touchdown in the first half. Shaw took over in the second, scampering for a 23-yard touchdown run and then slinging a 42-yard scoring pass to another sophomore, Je’Relle Pierre.
The Wolverines led 14-0 at halftime, and it could have been even worse if not for a couple of red-zone turnovers and a penalty wiping out Deandre King’s punt return for a touchdown. Seminole Ridge (now 0-2) tried to make a comeback, using a power running game for seven minutes to score and make it 14-8. But Wellington responded immediately, running the ball five straight times, with Tyler scoring from 18 yards. Walker admitted they wanted to throw early, but when it didn’t work out, they pivoted, saying, “I just wanted to get the ground game going. The guys were blocking well. We need to be a balanced football team.” Sounds like a smart coach making smart calls.
So, what’s next? Coach Walker, a veteran with state championships under his belt, isn’t getting carried away. He knows “We’ve got a long ways to go. We’re a better football team than we were a year ago. How good? We’ll find out. We’ve got some tough football games ahead. Right now we’re 2-0 and we’ll focus on going 3-0.” That’s the mindset you love to see! 2-0 is just the beginning, and you know everyone will be watching to see if these sophomores can keep this momentum rolling.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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