By Paul Moseley

Walking by the Chief Sealth team practice this week, you'd think they were preparing for an epic battle. They were.

Most of the non-football playing crowd at SWAC on tuesday, out watching their kids soccer games and running around the track, were bundled up against the early fall chill. The Chief Sealth Seahawks had their shirts off and were taking in a healthy dose of Coach Carr's in-your-face exhortations in between 100 yard sprints - 50 yards across the field, touch the ground, 50 yards back. After last week's defeat of Rainier Beach, Chief Sealth wanted a streak.

Practice turned into reality Friday night as the 1-2 Seahawks (1-1 conference) took on the 3-0 Bishop Blanchet Braves at the Southwest Athletic Complex (SWAC). This was the first conference game for Blanchet, but they have proven in their first three games they have the goods, averaging 53 points per game and allowing only 13 points in their last game against Lakeside. What's more, the Braves offensive heat is generated by an uncommonly strong group of Sophomores including Quarterback Davin Tullis, Wide Receiver Elijah Davis, and Running back Oshea Trujillo who last week gained 185 yards and found the end zone 5 times.

The streak for Chief Sealth was over in the first 6 seconds of the game when the Braves Kyle Celli recovered a Seahawk fumble and ran in for a score. After a three and out series for the Seahawks on their next possession, it was the Braves offense turn to shine. Taking the ball at midfield, the Braves Trujillio broke open a 28 yard gain, then followed up with a 22 yard touchdown run and it was 14-0. After a Seahawk interception on their following drive, it was Trujillo again for his second score. The Braves tacked on two more scores with a run by Elijah Davis and a blocked punt return by Andrew Ramsay and it was 35-0 after the first quarter.

The pain didn't end there for the Seahawks. The Braves kept up the pressure and posted three more TD's in the 2nd quarter and the Seahawks went into half-time down 56-0.

If the measure of a team is how they react to adversity, Chief Sealth earned some quality points coming into the 3rd quarter. The Seahawks started the second half by kicking onside and recovering it. Even at 56-0, that got the crowd into the game. A nice swing pass by Weston Reed to Brady Crane for 30 yards got them in the red zone. Ultimately, they got to the 13 and couldn't convert on 4th down and that's as close as they got to the end zone.

The third quarter was a blank by both teams, but it was almost as if Bishop Blanchet couldn't help but score. Keeping it a running game, the Braves scored twice more in the 4th, making the final score 70-0.

On the night, Bishop Blanchet scored 10 touchdowns, 8 on offense from 6 players, and 2 on defense. Chief Sealth never seemed to get into a rhythm and continued to hand Blanchet good field position. One helpful event was the invocation of a mercy rule that kept the clock running...but you have to wonder if that's enough, and wonder how a 70-0 game really benefits anyone who participated in it beyond the number in the W/L column. The Seahawks, who have shown great progress this year - demonstrating strong offense and improving their defense to the point that they beat long -time rival Rainier Beach last week…will have to find a way to turn this week into a teachable moment. Coach Carr and his team leaders will no doubt work hard to put this game in perspective and focus on Franklin next week.

As for the Braves, it didn't appear they were intentionally running up the score. They just couldn't seem to stop scoring. With their talented and deep team..they kept the ball on the ground and their runners continued to break into the open.

Bishop Blanchet put on a clinic, and Chief Sealth has a week to find that team that beat Rainier Beach.

Chief Sealth takes on Franklin next Friday SWAC. Kickoff is at 7:00

Bishop Blanchet takes on Bainbridge next Saturday at home. Kickoff is at 1:00.

EDITORS NOTE: The rules regarding avoidance of running up a score in athletic contests are clear according to the Metro League bylaws: Here's a quote from the relevant section:

"ARTICLE XIX - SCORES
Coaches are expected to use game strategies that will limit the winning margin when it is evident by the score and the relative caliber of play that their opponent may be excessively dominated and humiliated. Such strategies should include, but are no limited to the following examples:
A. Play deep reserves earlier and longer.
B. In basketball (as an example of League expectations), do not use a full court or half-court press, or a trapping or harassing type of defense. Do not fast break or use court length passes.
C. Instruct teams to take advantage of their lead to practice a new strategy, or delay game to prepare for game ending situations when the score could be close.
D. Team members should be informed that measures are being taken to limit the score in the best interest of the opponent as means of learning to be more humane and sensitive, even in competitive situations.
E. The League prohibits intentionally “running up the score.”
F. The League is opposed to humiliation and annihilation of opponents, and coaches will be held accountable in this regard.
G. A violation of the spirit of this philosophy is a violation of the league rule and will lead to sanctions against the member school."