9/12/2025

Written by Adam Race

Federal Way Eagles 50, Decatur Golden Gators 20

(Federal Way, WA) In-city rivalry night at Federal Way Memorial Stadium brought the atmosphere, and the touchdowns, as Federal Way defeated Decatur to go to 2-0. Federal Way came in off the back of a 52-0 win over Auburn Mountainview while Decatur had lost their first game of the season 30-14 at Enumclaw. Decatur were last year’s NPSL champs, with Federal Way finishing third in 2024 and seeking their first win over neighbors Decatur since 2022.

Decatur started with the football, going three and out after an incompletion from sophomore quarterback Antoine Williams and a couple of unsuccessful rushing attempts from sophomore running back Jordan Clay.

The Eagles would continue to pin the Golden Gators back as on Decatur’s ensuing drive Antoine Williams would drop back into his own endzone before being hit hard by Federal Way senior Jay Sinclair, forcing a fumble which the Eagles would recover in the endzone for a quick second score.

Decatur would again go three and out, punting out of their own endzone to Zamarie Tellez who returned it spectacularly to the endzone before the play was called back for a hold. Tellez wouldn’t let that get him down though, as just two plays later he would receive a handoff and break off a 60 yd TD run to make it 19-0.

Back to back punts for Decatur and Federal Way would bring an end to a dominant first quarter for the Eagles. The Golden Gators would however find a response early in the second quarter, as Antoine Williams would lead a 70 yard drive, completing six straight passes and punching in the touchdown himself on the goal-line to make it 19-7.

Federal Way would once again have an immediate response, as on the second play of their ensuing drive Anthony Marchetti would complete a pass over the middle to Jay Sinclair would turn on the Jets and take it all the way to the endzone for a 70 yard score, 26-7.

A muffed kickoff would pin Decatur back at their own two-yard line to start their next drive, and a holding call in the endzone would lead to a safety making it 28-7 and putting the ball back in the hands of the Eagles.

A four-play turnover on downs would give Decatur one last shot before the halftime break, but an unsuccessful hail mary would bring the half to a close with Federal Way leading 28-7.

The second half would start just as the first half had gone, with Zamarie Tellez zig-zagging his way through the Decatur defense on Federal Way’s first play from scrimmage for a 70 yard touchdown, his second 60+ yard touchdown run of the game. With the Eagles now dominantly ahead at 35-7, things would continue to go their way in all areas, as a three and out from Decatur would force a punt which was blocked by senior Kevin Ramsey for a safety, 37-7.

Federal Way would go three and out on their drive, and a good punt would pin Decatur at their own 12 yard line. Antoine Williams would show excellent composure and arm talent, leading yet another long methodical drive all the way down the gridiron with pass plays, ending on an 11-yard touchdown throw to Senior wide receiver Nikolasi Shreffler to make it 37-13.

Federal Way would need just two plays from scrimmage to find a response, as sophomore running back Ray Rondon would break a tackle and fly down the field for a 53-yard touchdown run to put the lead at 44-13.

A three and out would give the Eagles a chance to put up 50 points in back-to-back weeks, and Federal Way would deliver a touchdown drive capped off by Curtis Gilmer running it into the endzone from 10 yards out, 50-13.

Antoine Williams and the Golden Gators offense would have one more quality drive left in them as Williams would drop a beautiful touchdown pass right in the bucket for star wide receiver Scottie Dinwiddie on a 30-yard connection to make it a final at 50-20.

Our Sumner Holiday Inn Express Game MVP could have gone to several Eagles, but the excellence on both sides of the ball was best shown by Jay Sinclair. Sinclair came up big on both offense and defense, picking up a 65yd TD reception as well as forcing a fumble which was recovered in the endzone, directly contributing to scores on both sides of the ball. Zamarie Tellez had yet another two-touchdown game and racked up over 150 total yards between offense and special teams. Ray Rondon once again finished with two touchdowns, one in the air and one on the ground, and Curtis Gilmer checked in with a score of his own. Quarterback Anthony Marchetti had another excellent week, throwing for a couple of touchdowns.

Decatur’s sophomore QB Antoine Williams had a very impressive game, responsible for all three of the Gators Touchdowns, two on passes and one on the ground, and completing 15/27 passes against a Federal Way secondary that only allowed one completion in week one. Nikolasi Schreffler and Scottie Dinwiddie each hauled in a receiving touchdown.

Federal Way is off to a 2-0 start and will travel to take on Spanaway Lake next Friday. Decatur drops to 0-2 and will play Thomas Jefferson next week at home.

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