BELFAIR — The Sequim Wolves erupted for 14 points in the first 10 minutes of the game behind the legs of Zeke Schmadeke and Liam Wiker, going on to beat North Mason 35-7 to lock down a berth in the winner-to-state round of 32.
Schmadeke has had a lot of big games this season, but this was by far his biggest, with a number of explosive runs right up the gut of North Mason’s defense. He had 150 yards on the ground by halftime and finished with a total of 230 yards rushing on 18 carries. He scored two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Wiker rushed 19 times for 105 yards and three touchdowns.
The score could have been much more lopsided as a Wiker touchdown run was called back due to a penalty and a Solomon Sheppard interception and 70-yard return was called back due to a penalty for a late hit on the quarterback that was a pretty borderline call.
Sequim needed the win to assure a playoff spot. The Wolves completed their regular season 3-3 in the Olympic League and 5-4 overall. Olympic, Bainbridge and North Kitsap will battle it out for the league championship this weekend as all three teams have one league loss.
The Wolves had 360 total yards rushing and threw just two passes all game as both went incomplee. Meanwhile, Sequim’s defense held North Mason to -18 yards rushing and 36 yards of total offense.
Sequim got off to a torrid start with a quick-strike drive with Schmadeke running for 45 yards on one play and 24 on another. Wiker finished off the drive with a 1-yard TD with 10:17 left in the quarter to make it 6-0.
On Sequim’s next possession, Schmadeke had a 37-yard run and Wiker a pair of 10-yard runs.
Wiker then added his second touchdown and it was something straight out of the original “The Longest Yard.” He ran wide to his right behind a bunch of blockers, found no room, then reversed his field back to the middle of the field and made his way in for a touchdown. He ran about 50 yards to gain five yards.
On the final drive of hte first half, Schmadeke had another big run, this one for 26 yards, then scored his first touchdown on a 5-yard run.
Having already had a monster game, Schmadeke had one more big play left, a 54-yard run in the third quarter for a touchdown to make it 28-0. That put him over 200 yards rushing.
Wiker finished the scoring with a 3-yard TD in the fourth. Sheppard did have one interception that counted.
Sequim will likely learn Sunday its opponent and when and where its playoff game will be played.
Sequim 35, North Mason 7
Sequim 14 7 7 0 — 35
North Mason 0 0 7 0 — 7
First Quarter
Sequim — Wiker 1 run (Wilhelm kick)
Sequim — Wiker 5 run (Wilhelm kick)
Second Quarter
Sequim — Schmadeke 4 run (Wilhelm kick)
Third Quarter
Sequim — Schmadeke 54 run (Wilhelm kick)
Fourth Quarter
Sequim — Wiker 3 run
Individual Stats
Rushing—Sequim: Schmadeke 18-230, Wiker 19-105, Julmist 2-23, Aragon 1-3.
Passing— Sequim — Schmadeke 0-2-0.
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Sports Editor Pierre LaBossiere can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or plabossiere@peninsuladailynews.com.
