11/15/25

#2 Mount Tahoma Thunderbirds 42, #15 Seattle Prep Panthers 7

(Tacoma, WA) Last year, both Mount Tahoma and Seattle Prep were the road warriors and won their Opening Round games as double-digit seeds. This year, Seattle Prep would face its second straight PSL opponent in the Opening Round while Mount Tahoma was looking to continue its undefeated season in pursuit of the T-Birds’ first football State title since 1980. On a blustery, rainy Tacoma night, a repeat trip to the State Quarterfinals was in store for one of these two teams.

Seattle Prep began the game with the ball but punted after a three-and-out. Mount Tahoma appeared to be staring down a punt, but their snap went over the head of the punter and was recovered by the T-Birds at the five-yard line, resulting in a turnover on downs. Seattle Prep took advantage of a golden opportunity, as junior quarterback Leo Harnetiaux called his own number and bulldozed into the end zone for a five-yard touchdown as the Panthers led 7-0. On the kickoff, Seattle Prep played in short and at the 28-yard line, recovered the kick to send the offense right back out with great field position again. Mount Tahoma pushed Seattle Prep back five yards on a sack by Kemarjae Davis on third down. The Panthers attempted a 49-yard field goal, but it fell just short as the kick was into a hefty wind. Mount Tahoma picked up a pair of quick first downs on the next drive, but faced fourth and two. Matthew Tessin stopped the run play on fourth down with a textbook tackle, stopping the Mount Tahoma ballcarrier one yard shy of the first down to force a turnover on downs.

After three punts, Mount Tahoma had the ball back to begin the second quarter, and the T-Birds drove to the 10-yard line. On three straight runs, KeShawn Hines scored on third and goal from one yard out to put Mount Tahoma on the scoreboard and tie the game at seven apiece. Seattle Prep moved the ball a little on the ensuing drive but punted away to the T-Birds. After a touchdown was called back due to offensive pass interference, Mount Tahoma faced third and 20. Quarterback Mikkah Cordero danced in the pocket to avoid the Panthers’ pass rush, threw a laser over the middle to Elijah Durr, who made the catch, and outran the defense for a 29-yard touchdown. Mount Tahoma took its first lead of the game with three and a half minutes left in the first half, with the score 14-7. Mount Tahoma forced a turnover, as Quentin Hodge grabbed an interception for the T-Birds. Two plays later, Seattle Prep’s Dylan Gilbert came down with a pick of his own after Mount Tahoma’s pass was deflected by the Panthers’ defensive line. Seattle Prep drove into field goal range and attempted a 47-yard field goal. Elijah Durr flew around the end and blocked his third field goal of the season, and Hodge ran it back to the 22-yard line. With three seconds left in the half, Mount Tahoma had a chance to go for another touchdown, but couldn’t convert as they maintained a 14-7 lead at the half.

The Thunderbirds got the ball to start the second half and used a nine-play, 62-yard drive to move down the field. Cordero capped the drive off with a one-yard touchdown, reading the defense perfectly to call his own number as Mount Tahoma led 21-7 with seven and a half minutes left in the third quarter. Seattle Prep drove into Mount Tahoma territory but faced fourth down. Needing five yards for a fresh set of downs, the Panthers weren’t able to connect, and it resulted in a turnover on downs. Mount Tahoma’s next drive was a five-play drive that had a pair of penalties called against the T-Birds, but it didn’t faze them. As time was winding down on the third quarter, Mount Tahoma decided to snap the ball and run a final play before the quarter ended. Cordero looked to pass and found Anthony Quintanilla Jr. for a 28-yard catch and run touchdown with no time remaining in the third quarter, as Mount Tahoma led 28-7 heading into the final frame.

Seattle Prep had a three-and-out, and Mount Tahoma put together the longest drive of the game. Their 12-play, 83-yard drive took off over six minutes of the fourth quarter, and not one play went for negative yardage. Felix Diaz, who was excellent on both sides of the ball, ended the drive with an 11-yard touchdown run to give the Thunderbirds a 35-7 lead with just under four and a half minutes left. Mount Tahoma’s Josh Durr had an interception on the next drive, and the T-Birds offense went to work one last time. Cordero went to the air and hit Kane Roy for a 35-yard catch and run touchdown, as Roy evaded a pair of defenders for the score. Seattle Prep ran out the clock as Mount Tahoma picked up a 42-7 win.

Our Sumner Holiday Inn Express Game MVP went to Mount Tahoma’s Mikkah Cordero. Cordero tossed three touchdowns and ran for another, and without his play, especially passing, the outcome might’ve looked very different for Mount Tahoma.

Mount Tahoma also had a terrific performance from Felix Diaz, who was everywhere for the T-Birds on offense and defense. Elijah Durr was doing Elijah Durr things, bringing big hits, forcing pass breakups, and cashing in on a 39-yard touchdown. KeShawn Hines was awesome as well, registering a sack on defense and carrying the ball effectively.

Seattle Prep’s Matthew Tessin was impressive on defense. His tackling was superb, and no one was getting out of his grasp all night. Win Chandler was a reliable target offensively for the Panthers’ pass game. John Evans was getting in the mix defensively, sticking his nose in on a lot of tackles, helping the Panthers’ defense be difficult to run on.

Mount Tahoma remains undefeated at 11-0 and will head to the State Quarterfinals. The T-Birds will host #10 Lincoln next week.

Seattle Prep’s season ends with a record of 6-4.

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Game Highlights

Mount Tahoma’s Mikkah Cordero Hits Elijah Durr For 39-Yard TD

Seattle Prep’s Dylan Gilbert With Late First-Half INT

Mount Tahoma Touchdown As Third Quarter Expires

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