Gators put Titans in ‘death roll’ and don’t stop spinning in win

On a wet-cold and rainy night with Seahawks legend Jim Zorn in attendance, Decatur High School trampled Todd Beamer High School, 54-0, to cap off their first ever undefeated season on the gridiron on Oct. 31.

Making history is becoming an everyday occurrence for Head Coach Matt Vaeena and his team this season. After taking home the first league championship in school history, something that hasn’t happened since 1971, the Gators also capped the first undefeated season in school history.

The Gators left no doubt that they are a top team in the state. After a 20-6 win over White River that sounds closer than it was, the Gators took care of business against a Titan team that came in with a bit of momentum.

“It is good to lay a foundation for the future and the young guys. Giving them belief and inspiration moving forward,” Decatur’s Nehemiah Washington said.

There was also the added fact that Titans Head Coach Rodney McCurry was on Vaeena’s staff at one point before taking the job at Todd Beamer. McCurry left unceremoniously from the Gators staff, but Vaeena wanted his guys to focus on the game played on the field.

“It was a good showing. The message this week was it is not about anybody else, but the opportunity that you guys have earned. We really challenged them to play a complete and clean game and just make a statement,” Vaeena said.

On the field, it was pure Gator domination — they put the Titans in the “Gator death roll” and didn’t stop rolling until the final horn sounded.

Decatur senior quarterback Spencer Holloway has his backfield partner in Nehemiah Washington back in the fold on offense. A state wrestler and all around athlete, Washington didn’t know if he would ever put the pads on after a broken arm sidelined him before the Gators’ week one game against Enumclaw.

“I am just grateful for God for the opportunity to play again. I thought I’d never be able to play again,” Washington said.

He was optimistic right when he went down with an injury that he would be back sooner than later. But after it looked bleak for Washington, here he is, back to helping his team.

“Might get knocked down, but you can’t stay down there,” Washington said.

But with a big pad wrapped around his cast on his right arm, Washington played in the league-clinching win over White River almost exclusively on defense apart from three offensive snaps. But against Todd Beamer, Washington played both sides. He rushed for two touchdowns and was a focal point on offense with the ball in his hand, even stiff-arming a Titan with his club hand.

“I didn’t think I had the heart to tell him no, that he couldn’t play running back. He just put too much work into it. I told him I just needed him to be able to handle the ball and the handoffs, leave it to the kid to work it out in two days,” Vaeena said.

Washington did play his second game on defense. With the return of fellow senior Sefa Leapai, the Decatur defense is now back to full strength and playing with a vengeance. The Gators forced three fumbles and caused massive problems for the Titan offense. Leapai and Washington were making their presence felt in the back field more than Titan running backs.

“It felt great to have everybody back healthy. We are always high energy. It felt good to be back with my brothers,” Washington said.

Holloway started the scoring with a perfect throw to senior and baseball teammate Eric Havili from 30 yards out on a third and ten. When Washington and Leapai were out with injuries, the backfield turned to a partnership with junior Devin James Caoagdan and freshman Jordan Clay. Caoagdan got going against the Titans with two first half touchdowns. He has stepped up and has shown up for the Gators down the stretch.

“He played receiver because we needed him to at the start. He carried the torch with Jordan when we needed him… He presents something different than Nehemiah. He’s more of a slasher but has some thump,” said Vaeena.

In the waning seconds of the half, the Gators scored again with back-to-back catches from senior wide receiver Maddox Heyliger, which gave Decatur a halftime lead of 27-0.

Decatur’s defense pitched its fourth shutout this year. For context, Decatur baseball played 23 games and had just one shutout all season in 2024.

“I didn’t even realize the score was that high. It felt great to have another zero up there,” Washington said.

The last time the Gators’ offense had more than one shutout in a season was 2019 with two.

“It might be the most complete game we have played defensively all season,” Vaeena said. “Those guys were chomping at the bit. To see them flying to the ball and back each other up is a good harbinger going forward.”

Decatur now faces its next challenge: week 10 with a trip to the school’s first ever state football tournament on the line.

“I can’t even put into words how excited this group is… the fact that they get to go out together drives them more than anything,” Vaeena said. “I cannot wait to see it.”