The La Center Wildcats have not played in the 1A state semifinal round since 2017. Unfortunately, their latest dream of reaching the final four was squashed with a 21-10 loss to the Montesano Bulldogs on Saturday, Nov. 23.
On Nov. 23 at Woodland High School, the Wildcats maintained a 10-7 lead heading to the locker rooms at halftime thanks to a 56-yard touchdown pass by Wyatt Eiesland to Parker McKinney in the second quarter. The gritty, hard-hitting gridiron match was nothing shy of anyone's game throughout the majority, but Montesano pulled away to a two-score lead and kept La Center scoreless in the entire second half.
Emotions were strong amongst players, coaching staff and family after the heartbreaking loss, especially the seniors on the roster.
“They really set the standard for work ethic …, I just feel horrible for them,” Wildcats head coach John Lambert said. “I feel we could have done a better job, and not just them, just everybody, and that’s sometimes how you feel after a game like this. It’s the last time they play, so it’s difficult for some of the guys, but I’m proud of the season we built together.”
The Wildcats closed out the season 9-2. The 8-0 start to the season and 9-1 record heading into the state playoffs after a dominating preliminary round win over Elma High School on Nov. 8 landed the Wildcats a first-round bye in the 12 team bracket of the 1A state postseason this year, which was implemented due to a lack of teams fielding varsity rosters at the 1A classification.
With the quarterfinal loss, Lambert provided insight on being a good program.
“The one thing about being in a good program is every season ends in a loss unless you win the state title,” he said. “These kids worked really hard for this, and it’s disappointing for them, but Montesano played a great game.”
In week one, the Wildcats tromped over the Bulldogs, 35-7, but Montesano turned it around throughout the course of the season to play one more week after facing La Center once more.
