9/4/2026
WF West 42, Peninsula 21
Link to watch the full game replay on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
(Chehalis, WA) The WF West Bearcats are one of the most consistent 2A teams in the state. They are constantly at the top of their league and in the state play-offs but have never gotten to the top. Tumwater, Lynden, Archbishop Murphy, Anacortes have had the upperhand on the Bearcats.
The Cats came into this season thinking it may be a little different this year and they wanted to show it against a long-time 3A force in the Peninsula Seahawks. Peninsula Head Coach Clay Munro begins his 2nd year after taking over the program under long time and legendary Seahawk coach Ross Filkins.
The Seahawks were 6-4 last season and looking to bounce back with a better year and press the top of the very competitive 3A Puget Sound league.
1st Half Re-cap
The Bearcats got off to a fast 1st half start building a 28-7 lead over the Seahawks. WF West began with their season opening possession on their own 6-yard line and after gashing the Seahawk defense with run plays of 16, 18 and 11 yards the Cats then took their shot deep. QB Wyatt Hoffman dropped back and hit Jay Bieker for a 46 yard TD catch. Joel Mendez booted home the PAT and with 7:23 to play in the 1st it was 7-0.
WF West added to their lead on their 2nd possession with an 11 play drive capped off with a Constantine Robertson 3 yard TD plunge, the extra point was good and with 10:19 to go in the half it was 14-0.
Peninsula struggled offensively so their defense stepped up with a huge play. After missing a field goal trying to get on the board the Bearcats got the ball back but a fumble scoop and score by Peninsula’s Kainoa Coit cut the lead in half after Talen McDonnell kicked the PAT.
Unfortunately for Peninsula, Hoffman was just heating up. Hoffman would find Bieker for a second time with an 18-yard strike to make 21-7. Then Hoffman hit Brendan Stevens with a 10-yard pass and catch with just 43-seconds to play in the half and the Cats went to the break with a 28-7 commanding lead.
2nd Half Re-Cap
Peninsula came out fired up in the 2nd half and kicked off to the Bearcats. On WF West’s 1st play from scrimmage they fumbled and the Hawks recovered on the WF West 27. 5 plays later QB Talen McDonnell connected with Thomas Marzano on a 10-yard pass for 6 and pulled within 2 scores trailing 28-14.
The Seahawks then forced the Bearcats to punt it away but then were called for roughing the kicker giving the Cats an automatic 1st down. On the next play, Hoffman took some of the wind out of the sails of the Seahawks, uncorking a 61-yard strike to Holden Kunz to push their lead back to 3 touchdowns at the 6:53 to go in the 3rd.
After a Peninsula fumble and Bearcat 3 and out the Seahawks got the ball back on their own 20. After runs of 23 and 2 yards, McDonnell then handed the ball to Brycen McAnally who broke free and sprinted 55 yards for the score pulling Peninsula back within 2 scores down 35-21 with 3:27 to play in the 3rd quarter.
But that’s where the comeback would come. WF West would add another score in the 4th quarter when Hoffman hit his 5th TD pass of the game, a little 4 yard lob to Jalen Amoroso putting a cap on the scoring finishing the 42-21 victory.
Chehalis Holiday Inn Express MVP
The Chehalis Holiday Inn Express MVP award was an easy one and the West 42 Sports crew named Wyatt Hoffman the MVP with his 5 TD night and 6 PATS.
What’s Next?
WF West is off to a 1-0 start and will try to stay unbeaten when they travel to Lakewood to face 3A Lakes on Friday at 7pm. The Bearcats played a solid opener but coach Dan Hill will probably stress not letting an opponent back in the game or think they are back in the game when you build a big early lead.
Peninsula no doubt is disappointed but saw some good things to build off in the 2nd half. The Seahawks will try to do that in their home opener next Thursday against Franklin Pierce.
Game Highlights (Video)
Wyatt Hoffman to Jay Bieker 46 yard TD
Peninsula Fumble Recovery TD
Holden Kunz 61 yard TD catch
Brycen McAnally TD for Peninsula
| Hoffman to Jalen Amoroso from 4 yards out |
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