Football: Decatur Gators weather the Storm

When it comes to high school football, there are plenty of opportunities for a team to be “tested.” Decatur is no stranger to tests both on and off the football field. So far, this team has lost its best player in Nehemiah Washington a week before what would be their biggest game of the year in week one against Enumclaw. With Washington, the task was daunting enough. Without him, even tougher.

Decatur won 14-7.

In week two, the Gators were down 21 points, at home, to a rival in the fourth quarter. In that game, their replacement for Washington, Sefa Leapai, went out with an injury and hasn’t returned to the Gators.

Decatur won that game 35-34 over the Eagles and had aced the test in their first two exams of the 2024 season. Still there were doubters, and what better chance to silence them than against a consensus top ten 4A team in the Skyview Storm.

In their Oct. 4 matchup, Decatur toppled Skyview 15-14 to remain undefeated and make a statement about where Decatur sits in the state of Washington.

“It was a huge measure for us. We had our biggest shots out of the gate, it was good to see where we are at. That is what this game was. Are we what we think we are? It was a great job by them,” said Head Coach Matt Vaeena.

Dating back to last year’s playoff loss to Woodinville, Decatur has struggled to score points in big games. This game felt very similar to that game. But instead of falling flat, the Gators found a way in the last ten seconds to get the needed touchdown and the win the game on a two-point conversion.

“We just never give up. We play for each other, that is something we have gotten better at every single year… Decatur is here, a state contender. We are coming,” said Senior Maddox Heyliger.

The how, is probably easier to find than the why for Decatur. Spencer Holloway is the how, which leads to the why. Holloway has been nails for Decatur, when the team needs a play to be made. Holloway makes it happen. “In those moments when we have to have a play, the really thing you can do is check with the guy who has the ball… More often than not he is going to make plays to win,” Vaeena said.

The four-year starter has taken a step as a leader and is becoming a difference maker for Vaeena and Decatur.

On defense, the Gators have now proved they can slow down even the best offenses. Skyview came in averaging 31 points per game in their three wins this season, with one loss coming against Oregon powerhouse West Linn.

On the third play from scrimmage, Jasonni Prum jumped an out-route from the Skyview quarterback Doogie Poindexter and ran it back 35 yards for a score. “He’s the guy. To me, he is the best football player in Federal Way. Doesn’t matter school, grade or age. You can even count semi-pro people. He’s the best player in Federal Way,” Vaeena said.

The Gators began with a full head of steam. However, that ship slowed down as the Decatur offense that had put together 116 points the last two weeks, could not find its footing against a difficult Skyview defense.

Decatur’s offense got on the field for the first time with 4:20 left in the first quarter. With not much success, the Gators offense would go on to punt and turn the ball over on downs on back-to-back drives.

Early in the second quarter, Skyview found the endzone on a 4th and 6 conversion from the Decatur 14-yard line. Poindexter found Micah Robison for the score in the right corner of the end zone.

Decatur did seem for a moment, with some magic from the fleet feet of Spencer Holloway to take the lead. But a holding penalty took a touchdown off the board. Then back-to-back sacks forced Decatur to punt.

As the halftime horn sounded, the two sides were dead even at 7-7. Both defenses were playing extremely well.

The next score came on a freak play as the Gators were deep in their own end and punter Omaha Lutu-Ili muffed the snap and gave the Storm a first and goal with 6.7 seconds left in the third quarter.

It took Skyview senior and Boise State Commit Gavin Packer just one play to beat the Decatur defense and a 14-7 lead. “We always tell the kids you’re made for this moment. We preach, it is not always about what you do when things are great. It is how they get up when things are bad,” Vaeena said.

Get up they did. “That showed tonight. They stood up for each other tonight,” Vaeena said.

Decatur had the ball with 4:24 seconds left in the ballgame, looking to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. A problem for the Gators all night were penalties and sacks, Decatur faced a fourth down with 2:15 left in the game and came up one yard short.

Needing a miracle, the Gators turned to its defense, a unit that has been one of the most impressive in the state. Lo and behold, big Eli Saleumua hit Skyview’s Rex Allinger and forced a fumble giving the Gators one last chance.

“We never know what is going to happen… but we always have stupid, blind faith that something is going to happen and we will have a shot,” Vaeena said.

With a player like Holloway, the Gators were not going to go down without a desperation attempt at a score. On their first three plays the Gators went backwards, facing a fourth and fifteen from the Storm 35-yardline.

Holloway found freshman Scottie Dinwiddie who secured the catch while taking a hit from a Storm safety, for a first down at the nine yard line. Dinwiddie was a captain for the Gators, his first time this season. When his name was called, he made the most of his opportunity. “It has been a process for him. He is definitely super talented. He’s ready… He works hard, shows up and is a great teammate,” Vaeena said.

Dinwiddie’s catch came with 11 seconds left in the game. Decatur was really down to it’s final two plays. But Vaeena and Holloway just needed one play to find the endzone. Holloway took the snap and rolled to his right, Maddox Heyliger was waiting in the front-right corner of the endzone. Holloway threw it to Heyliger who made sure both feet were in bounds and reeled in the touchdown. Decatur was now trailing by one, 13-14. There was no doubt that Decatur was going for two. “I was in awe, no words. The whole sidelines was going crazy. Spencer seeing that was just clutch,” Jasonni Prum said.

The Gators ran the exact same play on the two-point conversion and had the same result, Holloway to Heyliger for the win. “Maddox has probably played the most snaps of anybody here. We trust him, more than anything he doesn’t shy away from those moment. He never has,” Vaeena said. “I’m at a loss for words.”

Heyliger after the game embodied how not just how he felt, but the football team, football program and even the school. “We are the best team in the state with no offers, no nothing,” he said. “No D1 offers, we are the best team in the state with no stars and no offers. We are here.”

With 5.4 seconds left, the Skyview defense was looking for a prayer, which was answered by the hands of Prum. Who intercepted Poindexter for the second time of the night sealing the win.

“This shows. Come see us and see how we play,” Prum said.

The Gators are back at it with Auburn Mountainview on the road, and the Gators are looking to continue to roll.

“We are on top of the world right now,” said Prum.