Anacortes topples Enumclaw in WIAA 2A semifinals, advances to first title game: 3 takeaways

Seahawks' offense lays foot on gas pedal, doesn't let up in 34-20 win over Hornets in Anacortes

ANACORTES, Wash. – The Anacortes football team just keeps checking boxes.

The first was unseating Lynden from the 2A Northwest Conference throne. The second was advancing to its first WIAA state semifinal game.

Following a 34-20 win over Enumclaw Saturday evening, the Seahawks can now check off their first WIAA Class 2A state championship appearance.

Locked into a 20-20 tie at halftime with the Hornets, the Seahawks outscored them 14-0 in the second half to book their trip to Husky Stadium next weekend where they'll play top-seeded Tumwater.

Anacortes quarterback Rex Larson threw five touchdown passes in the win, three of them going to wide receiver Rylin Lang. Wide receivers Brady Beaner and Landon Schafer were responsible for the other two.

Enumclaw quarterback Gunnar Trachte threw for two scores and running back Seamus Twohey ran in a score for the Hornets.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

ANACORTES OFFENSE CLICKS ALL GAME

The Anacortes offense took the field seven times against Enumclaw and came away with touchdowns on five of those drives.

The Seahawks punted just one time and the other drive that didn't result in points came at the end of the game with Anacortes running the clock out.

"The offense played lights out, mistake-free football," Anacortes coach Travis Anderson said. "We had a lot of guys make a lot of plays in huge moments and they made plays when we needed them. The moment wasn't too big."

IN THE BATTLE OF SIZE VERSUS SPEED...

Speed wins.

Despite being the smaller team both physically and in roster size, the Seahawks played to their strength and got the ball to their playmakers who did the rest in open space.

"(Enumclaw) has a big o-line and d-line and our strength is speed," Anderson said. "We knew it was going to be a battle of strengths and how we could add numbers to the box, get to the edge. That's what we were able to do."

THE ANACORTES TURNAROUND COMES FULL CIRCLE 

It's been just four years since Anacortes didn't field a varsity football team and the start of the Seahawks' rebuild began.

What a four-year ride it's been as the Seahawks – once basement dwellers in the 2A Northwest Conference – are now headed to Husky Stadium in Seattle next weekend to play for the school's first football championship.

"It is completely amazing to where I don't even have words and I'm just so proud of the work these kids have put in week in and week out," Anderson said. "The memories that are going to be made next Saturday will be unmatched. Win or lose, to have the opportunity is just amazing."

Boxscore

Enumclaw 0 20 0 0 - 20

Anacortes 7 13 14 0 - 34

A – Rylin Lang 15 pass from Rex Larson (Riley Walgamott kick)

E – Alec Johnson 5 pass from Gunnar Trachte (kick failed).

A – Lang 40 pass from Larson (Walgamott kick).

E – Karson Holt 3 pass from Trachte (Riley Rutledge kick).

A – Brady Beaner 36 pass from Larson (kick failed).

E – Seamus Twohey 4 run (Rutledge kick).

A – Landon Schafer 4 pass from Larson (Walgamott kick).

A – Lang 9 pass from Larson (Walgamott kick)