Kickoff return decisive in Sequim's 7-0 win over Bremerton
(Bremerton) -- A 95-yard opening kickoff return by Gavin Velarde proved the game-winning and decisive play Friday night as the Sequim Wolves defeated the Bremerton Knights 7-0.
The initial kickoff drove Velarde to his right sideline, where he caught the ball at his own 5-yard line.
Textbook blocking by the Wolves return team was highlighted by a pancake on the Bremerton safety from Payton Glasser that allowed Velarde to break into the clear at the Wolves 45, cruising untouched into the north end zone just 17 seconds into the contest.
It was the only score of the game as defense ruled the final 47 minutes and 43 seconds.
Sequim's offense reached the red zone on its first drive, but stalled at the Bremerton 15 with 6:07 left in the first quarter.
Bremerton's deepest penetration of the first half came after Alex DeFillippi recovered a Sequim fumble from Hayden Gresli at the Wolves 38 with 3:58 before intermission, but the Knights gained just 3 hashes before turning the down over on downs.
The Knights put their biggest scare into Sequim after Velarde muffed a punt return that was recovered by Jasiah Demarc at the Wolves 13 with 27 seconds remaining in the third quarter.
Wingback Diyamante Hall carried three times on counter plays, setting up Bremerton with a 4th-and-3 from the Wolves 6.
Sequim (3-1 overall, 1-0 in Olympic League) snuffed out the Knights opportunity, a Mikhail Papillon pass to Hall for no gain.
The Wolves eventually took over possession for the final time after stopping Bremerton on a fourth down incompletion at the Knights 43.
Sequim ran out the final 3:19, quarterback Riley Cowan taking the final knee at the Bremerton 10.
Bremerton fell to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in Olympic League action.
Game Notes
It was Velarde's second game-opening kickoff TD return of the season, repeating his feat two weeks ago against the Montesano Bulldogs.
Sequim returns home next Friday for a matchup with the North Kitsap Vikings, while Bremerton visits Cedar Park Christian in Bothell.
Scoring by Quarters:
Seq - 7 0 0 0 -- 7
Bre - 0 0 0 0 -- 0
Scoring Summary:
1st quarter:
Sequim - Gavin Velarde 95 yard kickoff return (Riley Cowan kick) 11:43
Individual Statistics:
Rushing:
Seq - Riley Cowan 3-4, Kyler Rollness 1-2, Gavin Velarde 1-2, Tyler Conn 16-42, Hayden Gresli 5-16.
Brem - Michael Papillon 3-(-13), Semaj Cook 8-19, Savante Perrigo 8-9, Diyamante Hall 17-51, Javonn Stoudermire 3-20, Richard Bios 1-10.
Passing:
Seq - Riley Cowan 18-for-41, 166 yards, 2 INT.
Brem - Michael Papillon 4-for-19, 33 yards; Max Boekenoogen 0 for 1, 0 yards.
Receiving:
Seq - Gavin Velarde 5-73, Payton Glasser 7-52, Kyler Rollness 2-13, Tyler Conn 3-13, Cody Bell 1-15.
Brem - Troy Saunders 1-9, Diyamante Hall 2-10, Savante Perrigo 1-14.
Team Statistics:
Rushing:
Seq - 26 carries, 66 yards.
Brem - 40 carries, 96 yards.
Passing:
Seq - 18-for-41, 166 yards, 2 INT.
Brem - 4-for-20, 33 yards.
Total Yards:
Seq - 67 plays, 232 yards, 3.5 avg.
Brem - 60 plays, 129 yards, 2.2 avg.
Penalties:
Seq - 12-110
Brem - 6-65
Had Intercepted:
Seq - 2
Brem - 0
Fumbles Lost:
Seq - 1
Brem - 0
Turnovers:
Seq - 7 (2 interceptions, 1 fumble, 4 turnovers on downs)
Brem - 6 (6 turnovers on downs)
