11/16/25

Napavine 34, Northwest Christian 28

The first round of the 2B state tournament kicked off in a major way with an absolute thriller in Napavine. The #8 seed Naapavine Tigers took on the #9 seed Northwest Christian Crusaders in one of the most dramatic and momentum-shifting games you will see. Napavine came into the game 6-4 and on a five-game win streak after starting the season 1-4. They caught fire late in the season and carried it into this game. Head Coach, Josh Fay, is trying to get back to the championship where he has lived for the last 4 years and won one two years ago.

Northwest Christian came into the game 8-3 and was coming off two dominant wins. They play in one of the most elite leagues in the 2B classification and have a lot of big game experience. Their high-powered offense has led the charge all year and is looking to do it one more time. Both teams put it all on the line in an amazing showing of grit and perseverance. With tension building all game, it all came down to the one final play to see who would be moving on.

First Half

Napavine would get off to a hot start and get the run game going early. Led by Caleb Von Pressentin, the Tigers would march down the field in quick fashion and end their opening drive on a 9-yard touchdown run from Von Pressentin. Northwest Christian would get the ball, and on the first play of the game for the Crusader offense, Hudson Somes broke free for an 80-yard touchdown off a screen pass from Mason Gassaway. This would tie the game and Napavine needed a response. Pono Moniz Taitague, Caleb Von Pressentin, and Dean Hamilton led the charge and pounded the ball on the ground. A long and methodical drive was capped off with a 4-yard touchdown run on the QB keep from Hamilton. Napavine would go into the second quarter with a 14-7 lead.

The Tiger defense flipped a switch in the second qaurter and began to dominate. They would force a punt on the Crusaders and get the ball back into their hands. On the first play of their next drive, Caleb Von Pressentin found a huge gap and bursted through into open space. No one could catch him and he strolled into the end zone for an 87-yard touchdown and his second of the day. After forcing another punt on the Crusaders, Napavine would turn the ball over themselves on a fumble which was recovered by Lucas Grant for Northwest Christian.

The Tigers were not fazed as they went right back to work and get a stop. Penalties would start to back up Napavine but Caleb Von Pressentin made the yardage not matter. He would find himself in for his third touchdown on a 28-yard touchdown run. Time was set to expire in the first half and the Crusaders had one final chance to cash in, and they did just that. Mason Gassaway threw a beautiful pass to Braylon Comfor-Willhite who caught it in stride and was off to the races for a 68-yard touchdown to end the half. Napavine entered halftime with a 28-14 lead.

Second Half

Northwest Christian put together a great drive to open up the second half. Their offense caught a rhythm and mixed up the pass and run game effectively. They would complete the opening drive with a 10-yard touchdown run from Hudson Somes. Now the defense for the Crusaders became the one to inflict damage. The defense, along with penalties, made Napavine punt the ball away and right back into Northwest Christian’s hands. Again, the Crusaders efficiently marched down the field and found the end zone with an 8-yard touchdown catch from Zeke Young. The Crusaders tied the game and had momentum going into the fourth quarter.

Napavine fumbled a few plays into their next drive, and Northwest Christian came up with the ball. All the energy had seemingly shifted onto the side of the Crusaders. The Tiger defense came up huge with a pivotal third-down stop to force a punt and take back over possession. The run game got right to work and chewed up the majority of the quarter. Caleb Von Pressentin then made a massive 20-yard run on third down to put the Tigers in striking range. Grady Wilson came into the game to take over at quarterback while Dean Hamilton moved to running back as Von Pressentin came out of the game. A few plays later, Hamilton cashed in with a 3-yard touchdown run to take the lead with under three minutes remaining in the game. However, the extra point was blocked, which meant the Crusaders only needed 7 points to take the lead.

On the biggest drive of the season for both teams, the Crusaders went to work. After getting across midfield, Pono Moniz Taitague tracked down Mason Gassaway for a massive sack that forced a fourth and long. The Tigers sent the pressure, and while being dragged down, Gassaway found Zeke Young wide open for a 15-yard gain and the crucial first down. Then Hudson Somes made a big play for 20 yards to put Northwest Christian inside the ten-yard line. An incompletion stopped the clock with under 20 seconds left in the game. On the final play, Gassaway looked to the back of the end zone for the win. He launched the ball to star receiver Braylon Comfort-Willhite, but the ball was tipped by Grady Wilson and into the hands of Mason Jeg for the game-sealing interception. The play of the lifetime for the Tigers, who would kneel and take home the win. A high drama thriller of a game came down to just seconds, and the Tigers got it done, winning 34-28 and advancing in the state tournament.

MVP and Stats

Our Thorbecks MVP of the game award went to Caleb Von Pressentin, who had three touchdowns on the day and 245 yards on 21 carries. He also came up big in the clutch on offense as well as defense for the Tigers. Other notable names were Dean Hamilton, who had two touchdowns and 78 yards on 13 carries. Pono Moniz Taitague had 42 yards on 7 carries and had a monster game on defense with what likely ended up being a game-saving sack late in the fourth quarter. Jayson Hull had 43 yards on 4 carries as well. Grady Wilson and Mason Jeg were both responsible for the game-winning interception from Wilson’s tip and Jeg’s catch.

The Crusaders played an outstanding game, and although they came up short, a great season to look back on with great players as well. Mason Gassaway went 14/20 for 262 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. Hudson Somes had both a rushing and receiving touchdown on the day. He had 10 carries for 87 yards and caught 3 catches for 101 yards. Braylon Comfort-Willhite had 4 catches for 123 yards and a touchdown. Zeke Young had two catches for 21 yards and a touchdown as well. Lucas Grant also had a fumble recovery for the Crusaders.

Napavine will go on to face the #1 seed Toledo next week to try and continue their season and get back to the state championship.

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

ESN Post Game Show

Game Highlights

Hudson Somes with the 80-yard TD on the First Play of the Game for the Crusaders

Caleb Von Pressentin with the 87-yard TD Run

Braylon Comfort-Willhite with the 68-yard TD from Mason Gassaway to End the First Half

Dean Hamilton Takes the Fourth Quarter Lead with a 3-yard TD Run

Mason Jeg Intercepts the Ball in the End Zone on the Grady Wilson tip for the Win