11/2/25

Gig Harbor 15, Capital 14

A winner-in, loser-out game took place at Ingersoll Stadium in Olympia as the Gig Harbor Tides took on the Capital Cougars. Both teams came into the game 5-2 and 3-2 in the PSL conference. A cross-over battle between the PSL Narrows and PSL Nisqually. In one of the oddest games you will see, the season came down to the final moments in what had fans in suspense the entire time.

First Half

The first quarter flew by extremely quickly as the run-heavy Gig Harbor Tides got the ball first. They would put together a nice drive and get to the 30-yard line, but penalties would force them back numerous times. With the penalties mounting, Gig Harbor could not get the first down inside the red zone and turned the ball over on downs. Capital would get the ball to start their first offensive possession, but the Tides took almost the whole first quarter on their first drive. The first quarter would come to a close on only the second possession of the game for either team. The game was tied 0-0 going into the second quarter.

The Cougars had the ball to start the second quarter, but penalties would start to add up for them as well. Big plays were negated by the flags, which forced another turnover on downs and gave Gig Harbor the ball back. The Tides moved the ball quickly to the 27-yard line. On only the second pass attempt of the game, QB Sawyer Hayes for Gig Harbor was pressured by Capital and threw a cross-body pass that was intercepted by DB Mason Bottin. The interception would place the ball at the one-yard line for Capital, but it would quickly get out of trouble after a defensive pass interference penalty.

A few plays later, QB Cale Burkheimer found an open Carter Pennington in one and one coverage. The defender fell down and Pennington was off to the races for a 79-yard touchdown. Both teams exchanged turning the ball over on downs, mostly due to penalties, to end the half. Capital led 6-0 going into halftime.

Second Half

Capital got the ball to start the half after jumping on the onside kick for Gig Harbor. This would give them great field position but the Cougars were unable to capitalize. After turning the ball over on downs, Gig Harbor led a slow and methodical drive downfield with their running game firing on all cylinders. The drive would end with a one-yard QB sneak from Sawyer Hayes to give Gig Harbor the 7-6 lead. Capital’s Nolan Rea had a great return on the kickoff, which gave Capital great field position. The third quarter came to an end with Gig Harbor leading 7-6

Burkheimer found Pennington twice on the drive. One for a massive 27-yard gain to put them inside the ten. The other was for a 6-yard reception for the touchdown and the lead. Burkheimer then ran the ball in for the two-point conversion for a 14-7 lead. On the next possession, Gig Harbor would fumble the ball and give it right back to Capital. Penalties pushed the Cougars back, however, which caused Capital to turn it over on downs. Gig Harbor again rushed down the field at a stunningly fast pace. The running game propelled the Tides the the goal line, and Sawyer Hayes got his second touchdown of the game on the QB sneak. A costly penalty on the PAT moved the ball half the distance. Gig Harbor decided to send the offense back and give the ball to Lucas Olivas for the two-point conversion.

Capital trailed 15-14 and had one final drive to win the game. After a good kickoff return, the Cougars moved the ball to their own 43-yard line. Burkheimer took a deep shot to Chayton Hatch, but Gig Harbor’s Max Schwab made a great play and came up with the interception. The Tides needed a first down to put the game away, and did just that from a 6-yard run from Schwab. Time expired, and the Tides took the victory home. Gig Harbor won 15-14 and punched their ticket into the round of 32, and Capital’s season came to a close.

MVP and Stats

Our Thorbecks MVP of the game went to Wilson West for the Tides. He put together 23 carries for 193 yards. He was monumental to the success of the Tides’ run game and was dominant on the ground. Other notable names for the Tides were Max Schwab, who had 13 carries for 87 yards and the game-ending interception. QB Sawyer Hayes had two rushing touchdowns in the game for Gig Harbor, each for one yard on QB sneaks. The offensive line for the Tides was superb all night as well.

For Capital, Carter Pennington had a massive game with two touchdowns and 8 catches for 152 yards. Cale Burkheimer went 14/29 with 230 yards and 2 touchdowns. Chayton Hatch had 5 catches for 58 yards on the day. Mason Bottin came up with the big interception that led to a Capital score as well.

For the full game replay, click here (Subscription Required)

ESN Post Game Show

Game Highlights

Carter Pennington with the 79 Yard Touchdown Reception

Sawyer Hayes and Lucas Olivas Touchdown and Two-Point Conversion for the Lead

Max Schwab with the Game Ending Interception