By Declan O’Malley

Journal contributor

Football

After beating Coupeville High School the previous week, Friday Harbor High School advanced into a postseason matchup against Rainer with a chance to reach the state playoff round on Nov.8.

Friday Harbor played Rainier High School in the crossover game to qualify for the top 16 teams for the state tournament. Friday Harbor lost 52-38 to Rainier. “It became apparent early in the game that it was going to be an offensive shootout, as neither team was able to slow down the other,” Wolverine coach Shawn Kleine said. He added that it was Friday Harbor’s final game of the year and that, riddled with injuries, the Wolverines were short-handed on both sides of the ball.

Despite the loss, Friday Harbor had multiple standout performers. Quarterback Jackson Feliz turned in his best outing of the season, completing 23 of 39 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. His top target was Channing Kleine, who finished with 17 receptions for 273 yards, one receiving touchdown and another score on the ground.

Phenix Thomas added two receiving touchdowns, 61 yards, and his strongest defensive effort of the season, leading the Wolverines with 17 tackles.

Boys soccer

After a strong regular season, the Friday Harbor boys advanced to the district playoff round. They opened postseason play on Nov. 4 with a 3-0 road victory over Auburn Adventist on Nov.4.

Wolverines coach Mike Horn said Tuesday’s match was the team’s “most complete game of the season,” praising both defensive discipline and attacking efficiency. “Our defense neutralized their strongest player with Jamison Maguire and Kaden Horn locking down the attack in the field, and our goalkeeper, Eli Lane, making a couple of fantastic saves to deliver a clean sheet 3–0 victory,” Horn said.

He added that the Wolverines “possessed the ball really well through the midfield” and that the attack “finished their chances when they came.” Forrest Goodremont opened the scoring in the first 15 minutes, rocketing a volley inside the far post off a corner kick. Abdul Guzman and Isidro Churape extended the lead just before halftime with a smooth give-and-go resulting in a Guzman finish.

In the second half, Friday Harbor absorbed pressure before closing out the match when Milo Martin converted a well-placed cross from Goodremont. Horn called it “a solid 3–0 victory that secured our place in the next round of the state tournament.”

On Nov. 6, two days later, the Wolverines faced interisland rival Orcas Island, battling to a scoreless draw before falling in penalty kicks. The semifinal appearance still earned Friday Harbor a berth in the state tournament.

“On Thursday, we faced Orcas and came away from a tight contest confident that we can play with anyone in the state. The conditions were challenging, with strong winds making ball control almost impossible. We played Orcas tight throughout regular time and the extra-time session and ultimately lost in the game of chance that is penalty kicks, 4–3,” Horn said. “Our midfield played really well with Emilio Bayas, Henry Oswald, Milo Martin and Isidro Churape playing exceptionally strong. We’re looking forward to the next round of the state tournament and are confident we’re on the right path for a strong showing in the upcoming rounds.”