9/5/25
Federal Way Eagles 52, Auburn Mountainview Lions 0
(Federal Way, WA) The first night of the 2025-26 high school sports season in Washington saw a 3A NPSL battle. The Federal Way Eagles made it to the first round of the State playoffs last year after an 8-3 record, while the Auburn Mountainview Lions, under then-first-year head coach Garrett McKay, finished sixth in a really good 3A NPSL league. Both teams had aspirations of getting off to not just a 1-0 start overall, but in league play, and get off on the right foot towards a league title, and beyond.
Auburn Mountanview began the game with the ball and ran it effectively while chewing up some clock, but were forced to punt. Federal Way got the ball and, after a pair of penalties, faced third and 13. Quarterback Anthony Marchetti got a run of 10 yards, and on fourth down, Raymond Toso moved the chains on the ground for a first down and to keep the drive alive. Curtis Gilmer ran in the game’s first touchdown from two yards out to put Federal Way up 7-0. The Eagles forced another Auburn Mountainview punt and Federal Way, and quickly found the end zone again. Marchetti connected with Zamarie Tellez for a screen, and Tellez weaved in and out of traffic for a 32-yard touchdown as Federal Way went up to a 14-0 lead.
Auburn Mountainview got the ball back and was forced to punt, but recovered the muffed punt in Federal Way territory. The Lions went for it on fourth down, but Federal Way came up with the stop and took over on downs. The Eagles had a 13-play drive that ended in a 29-yard field goal drilled through the uprights by Gio Vergara-Trujillo to go up 17-0. Auburn Mountainview had to punt, but it was blocked by Federal Way’s JoJo Fuavai, which set up the Eagles in great field position. In two plays, Federal Way found pay dirt again, as Marchetti called his own number for a five-yard touchdown run with under a minute left in the first half as Federal Way took a 24-0 halftime lead.
Federal Way began the second half with the ball and drove down the field in eight plays, capped off with a wonderful throw from Marchetti to Tellez for the second time in the evening, this time for 20 yards for a 31-0 lead. Auburn Mountainview had an explosive kickoff return by Kam Balles that put the Lions inside Federal Way’s 30-yard line. The Eagles forced a turnover on downs and drove down the field in five plays, capped off with a 25-yard touchdown run by Ray Rondon for a 38-0 lead. After Federal Way recovered the ensuing kickoff, Curtis Gilmer found the end zone for the second time in the game, this time from 22 yards out for a 45-0 lead. Federal Way added a late touchdown as they would win 52-0.
Our Sumner Holiday Inn Express Game MVP went to Federal Way’s Zamarie Tellez. Tellez had two touchdowns and was the leader in the secondary, which made things difficult to pass on. Federal Way’s Curtis Gilmer had two touchdowns in a great season-opening performance, Anthony Marchetti was great at quarterback for the Eagles, had three total touchdowns, and JoJo Fuavai had a sack, blocked punt, and was great as a linebacker, helping the stout defensive line put pressure on the Lions.
Auburn Mountainview’s Mason Ornburn was all over the place defensively for the Lions, as was Kam Balles, who also had a great kickoff return. Luke Crosby stepped up for Auburn Mountainview as well, and as the game went on was making his presence felt.
Federal Way is off to a 1-0 start and will take on Decatur next Friday, a game that will be streamed by ESN. Auburn Mountainview drops to 0-1 and will go on the road to Kentlake next week.
Click here to view the full game replay (Subscription Required).
ESN Talks To Game MVP, Federal Way’s Zamarie Tellez
Game Highlights
Federal Way’s Anthony Marchetti Fires TD Pass To Game MVP Zamarie Tellez
Federal Way’s Ray Rondon Refuses To Go Down For TD Run
Auburn Mountainview’s Mason Ornburn With Great Hustle To Recover Fumbled Punt
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