O'Dea Aims to Repeat as Mount Tahoma Looks for Revenge

By Justin Laylo

SEATTLE- The Washington 3A state championship on Friday night is shaping up to be one of the most exciting games of the year. O'Dea and Mount Tahoma will meet at 7 p.m. at Husky Stadium, and both teams are entering the biggest matchup of their season with something huge to play for. 

For O'Dea, the goal is simple. The Fighting Irish want to win the state title for the second year in a row. They have won 12 straight games and come in with the confidence of a team that has been here before. Last week, they battled past Bellevue 20 to 14 in a game that showed how tough and experienced they are. O Dea believes that their strong defense and powerful running game can carry them to another championship. Their offense is led by quarterbacks, senior Hutton Leverett and freshmen Allias Moimoi and powerful runners like sophomore J’Shaun Wilson and senior Uriah Stringfield. Moimoi is a strong finisher and scored two touchdowns in the semifinals. On defense, junior Tevita Nonu made the biggest play of the game in the semifinal when he sacked the Bellevue quarterback and recovered the fumble to secure the win. The Irish believe their championship experience gives them an advantage.

Senior Chris Laylo has positive thoughts going into the upcoming game. He said, “We are confident in ourselves, and our team is at its best shape this season. We worked all year for this moment, and we are ready to finish the job.” 

Mount Tahoma, on the other hand, is playing for something deeper. The T-Birds want revenge. Last season, O'Dea beat Mount Tahoma 42-21 in a game where the Irish jumped out to a huge halftime lead. Mount Tahoma has not forgotten that loss. Now with a 13 and 0 record, the T Birds are a completely different team. They proved it by beating Eastside Catholic 21-6 in the semifinals, showing a level of control and confidence they did not have a year ago. 

The stakes are sky high for both sides. O'Dea wants to protect its legacy as a top football program in the state. Winning back-to-back championships would add another chapter to its long winning tradition. Mount Tahoma wants to rewrite its story and bring home its first title since 1980.  

O'Dea relies on physical play and smart game management. Mount Tahoma brings energy, speed, and emotion, especially as they continue to honor a teammate who passed away earlier this year. Every play on Friday night could swing the momentum. 

With both teams motivated by history, pride, and unfinished business, the matchup feels bigger than just a game. It is a chance for O Dea to stay on top and a chance for Mount Tahoma to finally get the revenge they have been waiting for.