History was made once again on the grounds of the brand new Federal Way Memorial Field. This time we have to go in the way-back machine. With Decatur High School’s 16-14 win over the Eagles, maybe even further than that.

High School records are hard to find. If you look at MaxPreps, you’ll find records that go back to 2004. In this matchup between Federal Way and Decatur, that didn’t go far enough. With the help of former Gator and current Todd Beamer assistant basketball coach Colin Sawyer, we came to the assumption that Decatur hadn’t beaten Federal Way since 1991. There are words of 2003 and probably more. But regardless, the Gators have had no success against Federal Way in recent history.

Remember this date: Oct. 26 when Head Coach Matt Vaeena and the Decatur Gators defeated Federal Way for the first time since the George W. Bush administration.

“It’s a great feeling. These kids work so hard. The Fed kids work hard, Iz does a great job with them. It’s cool to see this kind of rivalry,” said Vaeena.

Sione Kongaika celebrates after scoring a touchdown for Federal Way. (Photos by Ben Ray/Sound Publishing)

The Gators toppled the Eagles 16-14 in the final game of each side’s regular season. The win capped off Decatur’s best season this century, winning eight games, with their only loss coming against Kennedy Catholic.

“I can’t even put into words how proud I am of them,” Vaeena said.

This rivalry meant a lot to both sides. Decatur wanted to prove that they could compete with Federal Way, a team that had bested them for a generation. And for Federal Way, the Eagles were fighting to improve their playoff position, end their season on a high note, all while taking down a school they have dominated.

“It’s a crazy feeling. It’s a building block and gives us that respect we’ve been needing in the city,” junior Nehemiah Washington said.

Decatur came out swinging, forcing Federal Way to a three-and-out, and went down and scored on a 10-play drive, running the ball every time. Running back Nehemiah Washington and quarterback Spencer Holloway split the carries, but Washington pounded the rock in from three yards out and on the two-point conversion.

“We were just pounding the ball, old school football,” Washington said.

On the next drive for the Gators, they needed just two plays to score. Once again, Washington found the end zone. This time he used his speed, breaking away for a 43 yard score.

Decatur quarterback Spencer Holloway keeps his eyes down field with the ball in his hands. (Photos by Ben Ray/Sound Publishing)

Down by 16, the Eagles found a way to get back in the game. Deon Vann was on a mission against Decatur, as the lone weapon for the Eagles. Vann used his top-end speed to break away for a 44 yard run, setting up Federal Way. Backfield partner Sione Kongaika forced his way into the promise land for the Eagles’ first score of the game.

With under 3:45 left in the first half, Federal Way got back on the scoreboard. The Eagles went air attack on the Gators for the touchdown. Quarterback Jayden Sinclair found tight end Nate Peterson, who took a defender with him into the end zone.

That was all the offense in this game. Both defenses forced multiple turnovers, but none bigger than the fumble forced by Jasonni Prum in the fourth quarter with under two minutes left in the game.

“For my money, he’s the best safety in the league far and away. There are some really good ones, but he just shows up time and time again… I’m sure when I watch the tape I’ll be even more amazed,” Vaeena said.

Federal Way was driving, looking to take the lead on the Gators. The Eagles ran a screen pass and Prum hit the wide receiver and the ball popped out into the hands of Jaliel Anderson, giving Decatur possession with a chance to put the game on ice.

“I tried to get him down and the ball popped out. A win is a win,” Prum said.

It has been a journey for Prum — as a sophomore he thought he might be the JV quarterback. But against the Eagles, he made the game-saving, game-changing play to give Decatur a chance to win the game.

“We thought he was going to be a C-team quarterback, but he has other ideas. He earned everything tonight. He’s definitely one of those guys that’s gonna be leading the way next year,” Vaeena said.

Gator running back Nehemiah Washington breaks a tackle in the first quarter. (Photos by Ben Ray/Sound Publishing)

The job wasn’t done for the Gators. Federal Way had two timeouts remaining. It came down to the fourth and five, with 30 seconds left in regulation. Holloway did his best Russell Wilson circus impression, running around the line of scrimmage back and forth, somehow avoiding a sack, and found Matthew Derkach to win the game.

“He’s made lots and lots of plays, without him we don’t win this game or are even in a position to win the game,” Vaeena said.

It was ill advised and outright crazy, but that’s why we play the game — for wild, unhinged moments like that.

“I thought he was going to sell the game at that point… Then he threw the ball and I couldn’t have been happier,” Prum said.

The win gives Decatur a building block for years to come, and the players know how big a win like this is.

“It’s about building a legacy, trying to start something new. We know Decatur has a bad history, but we’re trying to change that…It’s all about executing,” Prum said.

With the playoffs on the horizon, Decatur is locked in as the second seed coming out of the NPSL.

“We’re confident, but we’re also humble. We got a lot of work to do,” Washington said.