Mercer Island High School’s football team ended its season with 50-7 loss to O’Dea High School in the opening round of the 3A state playoffs on Nov. 15 at Seattle’s Memorial Stadium.
The 15th-seeded Islanders finished with a 10-1 record. Second-seeded O’Dea continues on with a 10-0 record.
“This season has been nothing short of remarkable. To go 10-1 after years of struggle speaks volumes about the heart, grit, and resilience of our players. I couldn’t be prouder of them for the way they’ve embraced the process and inspired this community to rally around Mercer Island football,” said head coach DJ Mims.
Mims noted that he’s equally grateful to have a coaching staff by his side that is dedicated and committed to serving the young Islander men. That service is the backbone of the MI program, Mims added.
There’s more solid MI football to come, as Mims concluded: “Mercer Island football is here to stay. We’re just getting started, and you can bet we’ll be right back next season, stronger than ever.”
Offensively this season for the Islanders, quarterback Youngmin Lee completed 165 of 238 passes for 2,901 yards and 37 touchdowns.
On the receiving front, Elan Gotel had 64 catches for 1,058 yards and 14 TDs; Ryder Davis had 51 catches for 887 yards and 14 TDs; Charlie Chatalas had 19 catches for 490 yards and six TDs; and Kellen Eskridge had 17 catches for 317 yards and four TDs. In total, MI racked up 2,941 passing yards and 39 receiving TDs.
In the rushing realm, Kainoa Brown had 60 carries for 523 yards and seven TDs; Parker Blosch had 62 carries for 459 yards and five TDs; Hudson Sulla had 34 carries for 193 yards and five TDs; and Lee had 37 carries for 54 yards and three TDs. In total, MI gained 1,260 rushing yards and 21 TDs on the ground.
Defensive leaders were Jack Buchan with 61 solo tackles and 42 assists; Tyler Williamson with 28 solo tackles and 41 assists; Gotel with 26 solo tackles and 18 assists; Chatalas with seven interceptions (56 return yards and two TDs); Eskridge with one fumble recovery and three interceptions (one TD); Davis with three interceptions; Vince Bom with 8.5 sacks; and Kai Kimble with 3.5 sacks.
Some other defensive highlights were Sulla with one fumble recovery and one interception; Ari Wolff with 12 solo tackles and 11 assists; Bryce Galghon with 15 solo tackles and 13 assists; Blosch with 17 solo tackles and eight assists; Shaun Wurster with one fumble recovery and one sack; and Thiago Siguenza with two solo tackles and nine assists.
Mercer Island High School quarterback Youngmin Lee drops back to pass against O’Dea High School on Nov. 15 at Seattle’s Memorial Stadium. Photo courtesy of Linda Kercher
