Top Ranked O'Dea Take Down Roosevelt in Season Opener

By Jude Morales

SEATTLE– J’Shaun Wilson stood out for O’Dea rushing for over 260 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Irish prevailed against the Roughriders 56-28 on Friday night at Ingraham High school. 

The defending state champions opened their 2026 campaign against a refreshed Roosevelt team under the lights at Ingram High school. The Metro Legue matchup is a rare one for the Irish, as the opening game of the year has been against non-league opponents in previous years.

The Irish got the scoring started early in the 1st with a 70-yard punt return touchdown from senior Niño Moksivong. The Irish continued the scoring in the 1st quarter as senior fullback Max Speller extended the lead with a rushing touchdown.

The Roughriders didn’t take long to respond as quarterback Rece Shewey found wide receiver Owen Poort for an 80-yard touchdown to cut the lead in half.

The Irish offense didn’t miss a beat in the 1st as junior Jaxon Turner added another touchdown for the Irish, and Wilson capped the quarter off with his first of three rushing touchdowns.

The determined Roosevelt offense wasn’t going unanswered as Shewey found Poort a second time, this time for 45 yards, and the 1st quarter ends with the Irish leading 28-14.

O'Dea opens the scoring in the 2nd with sophomore QB Allias Moimoi connecting with sophomore WR Kaydon Tatum for a highlight reel worthy grab to extend the lead. Later in the 3rd, Wilson finds a gap and takes it 56 yards for his second rushing touchdown of the night.

Down three scores, the Roughriders find themselves with work to do, and the offense responded as Shewey finds wide reviver Lleyton Cross for another 80-yard touchdown connection to shorten the Irish lead.

The Irish offense was too much for Roosevelt to handle as Wilson finds the endzone again for his 3rd and final touchdown of the night. Max Speller capped of a solid offensive night for the Irish with another rushing touchdown bringing the final score to 56-28.

Late in the second half the team rotated out most of their starters. "Everyone had the opportunity to show what they can do" said junior kicker Alec Petricic after Friday's result.  The Irish began the season on a high and look to carry this momentum into West Seattle Stadium Friday as they take on Ballard in another Metro League matchup.

Running back J'Shaun Wilson stood out for O'Dea rushing for a personal best 264 yards and 3 TDs on only 9 carries. Wilson, who won the state championship MVP and was first team all-Metro in 2025 looks to build off of his success from last year and take the team to their 3rd straight state title. The season looks bright for the Fighting Irish "it's only up from here… the goal is to not get satisfied" said Wilson reflecting on his record-breaking night.