By Paul Moseley

West Seattle High school opened their 2013 football season away in a Metro/SPSL interconference match-up against the Fife Trojans. The Wildcats, coming off a 4-5 season last year, is in a rebuilding year, with only 2 starters returning (QB Jamie Maples and FS/Punter Carter Mensing) and only 3 seniors total on their 29 man roster.

The young Wildcats got an early season learning experience against Fife, who were physically bigger, older and have a roster 30 players larger than West Seattle's.

West Seattle kicked off, and the Wildcat defense played strong, holding the Trojans to 4 and out. On West Seattle's first possession, Maples was picked off by Fife linebacker Knapp Tanner who ran 40 yards to put Fife on the board 7-0.

After West Seattle and Fife traded a couple fumbles, the West Seattle defense settled in and held Fife to a 4th and short...then Fife's offense opened up. Going for it on 4th, Fife unleashed a consecutive set of hand-offs to 285 pound Sarte Monike, who did big-boys everywhere proud. After 3 consecutive runs, Monike was in the end zone and Fife was up 14-0.

On their next posession, West Seattle made a go of it with a beautiful pass from Maples to #5 Carter Mensing but couldn't convert the first down. The ball back with the Trojans, their warmed-up offense put together a string of plays that ended with the bulldozer Sarte Monike scoring again. At 9:29 in the 2nd, Fife was up 21-0.

After another West Seattle turnover, Fife took over and capped a drive with a 37 yard run by #33 Robertson Glenn to make it 28-0 with 8:41 left in the half.

The rest of the half had the two teams trading turnovers, including a nice interception by Wildcats #50 Bailey Wyatt.

The third quarter was an offensive clinic by Fife, including a 60 yard run by speedy #22 Quiocho-Afoa Domingo resulting in a TD, and another end around by #33 Robertson Glenn, bringing the score to 41-0 at 4:05 in the third.

Seeming to find a rhythm , West Seattle rallied in the 4th quarter. They kept Fife out of the end zone and made a final charge to get on the board. Maples, playing with intensity, led the offense on a drive that put them in range of 6'1 kicker Simon Tate. The 50 yard attempt was just shy, leaving West Seattle to get their first score next week.

Final score - Fife 41, West Seattle 0.