10/24/2026
Decatur 34, Juanita 33 (OT)
(Federal Way, WA) It was a perfect afternoon for some Saturday non-league football. The Decatur Golden Gators edged out the Juanita Ravens 34-33 in a thrilling overtime finish at Federal Way’s Memorial Stadium. It came down to a blocked extra point determining the outcome of this one.
1st Half
The first half was a back-and-forth between the Gators and the Ravens. Decatur’s defense set the tone early, forcing a fumble on Juanita’s opening drive. Decatur capitalized on the takeaway with a 40-yard field goal from Dalton Brown. After another Ravens fumble on a kickoff return, Brown drilled another field goal, 42 yards this time, and the Gators were up 6-0.
In the second quarter Juanita woke up offensively. Striking first was Taylen Ahlf, who put the Ravens on the board with a rushing touchdown. Quarterback Cole Zientko followed that up with a spectacular touchdown pass to a diving Jack Duckworth in the corner of the end zone to pull ahead 14-6.
Decatur struck just before the half, with 24 seconds to go, when Antoine Williams scored on a keeper. They would not make the extra point. They would trail 14 to 12 going into the halftime break.
Halftime Juanita 14, Decatur 12
Every coach wants to get that double dip at halftime. They want to be the last one scoring and then take over with the first possession of the third quarter and score again. Well that’s exactly what Decatur did.
With a kick return out to their own 47-yard line Decatur’s Jordan Clay took the handoff, cut to the outside, and went down the far sideline into the end zone, 53
yards, and that would give Decatur a 19-14 lead. The back-and-forth continued as Juanita would take their opening drive of the second half, beginning on their own 33-yard line, and take nine plays before Ahlf would plow into the end zone from the 4-yard line to make it 24-19.
The Gators were ready to respond once again on their second drive of the third quarter. They began on their own 45-yard line and Clay wasn’t done with his second rushing touchdown, this time from 13 yards out, and the Gators held a 27-24 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
With less than 3 minutes to go in the ball game, the Gators led 27 to 24 but Juanita was driving. The Ravens worked it down to the 1-yard line and were going to go for it on 4th down to take the lead, when a critical false start moved them back to the 6-yard line. Ravens kicker Anders Arvberger would come in and boot the 22-yard field goal to tie the game at 27-27 and that’s how it would go to the end of regulation.
Crazy Finish in OT
The Gators would start with the ball in the first overtime beginning on the 25-yard line. After picking up a first down and getting down to the 12-yard line, once again the Gators relied on the old reliable, Jordan Clay. He’d take the ball, cut to the outside and into the end zone going up six on the Juanita Ravens. Brown booted the PAT and Decatur led 34-27 but Juanita would have their turn next.
Juanita was able to pick up a first down and push the ball all the way down to the 11-yard line, where their drive stalled. The Gators were one stand away from clinching the game with a fourth and 10 on the 11-yard line for the Ravens. Zientko dropped back to pass, looking for someone and found Connor Woodhead in the corner of the end zone. Woodhead made a spectacular catch, pulling it in and getting the foot down, scoring the touchdown, pulling the Ravens within one of forcing a second overtime.
The Ravens just needed their reliable kicker, Arberger, to boot through a routine PAT and they’d be headed off to a second overtime. But the PAT was anything but routine. Scottie Dinwiddie broke free right through the middle of the offensive line, jumped up in the air, and caught a piece of the kick. The kick still looked like it may go through but ended up falling short of the crossbar. It was no good and the game was over, sealing it for the Decatur Gators.
Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the Game
The West 42 Sports Crew could not decide on one MVP of the game for the Gators so they split it. They went with Jordan Clay on the offensive side for the Gators and Scotty Dinwiddie for the defense that also played a huge role in securing this victory.
What’s Next?
Decatur improves to 6-2 on the season and next week they’ll take on Auburn Mountain View as they prepare for postseason play. Juanita drops to 3-5 and they’ll wrap up the regular season next week against Issaquah.
Link to watch full game replay on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
West 42 Sports Postgame Show
Video Highlights
Juanita adds to their lead in the 2nd
Decatur strikes quickly on the 1st play of the 2nd half
Jordan Clay picks his way for 12 yards and the 1st TD in OT
Juanita pulls within 1 point of forcing a 2nd OT on this TD
Decatur’s Scottie Dinwiddie gets a piece of the PAT
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