Joe Callerame, shown here in a Week 10 playoff game, scored the game-winning touchdown for Seton Catholic in the state quarterfials Saturday. Seton Catholic beat Cashmere 42-35 in Wenatchee. Photo by Mike Schultz

Seton Catholic improves to 11-1 and is in the final four for the first time

Hey Seton Catholic Cougars: The rest of the state knows who you are now.

Seton Catholic, a team that went 9-1 in the first 10 weeks of the football season, with only a one-point loss, was not thrilled with receiving the 12-seed for the Class 1A state football playoffs.

Well, the No. 12 might stick with the Cougars through the bracket, but they are in the final four now.

Yes, Seton Catholic, at 11-1, is in the semifinals.

The Cougars roared back from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to stun No. 4 Cashmere 42-35 in Wenatchee on Saturday evening, advancing to the state semifinals for the first time in program history.

Actually, a lot of things the Cougars have done this year are a “first.”

First home playoff game.

First state playoff appearance.

And now the first two wins in the state playoffs.

The Seton Catholic Cougars, shown here earlier this season, still have reason to celebrate. They have reached the state semifinals for the first time in program history. Photo by Mike Schultz

Prior to this season, there was no Seton Catholic state football history. Perhaps the reason the selection committee did not think much of the Cougars.

Well, think again.

The Cougars also are the last team standing for Clark County. While Seton was winning in Wenatchee, Skyview was falling to Eastlake in Sammamish in the Class 4A quarterfinals.

Seton Catholic led 21-14 at the half, but Cashmere would score the next three touchdowns Saturday to seemingly take control, up 14 with less than eight minutes to play in the game.

Seton’s quick-attack offense did just that, though.

The Cougars scored a minute later. The Cougars recovered a pooch kick. And scored again. Two touchdowns in less than 10 seconds of game clock, tying the game.

Seton’s defense got a red-zone stop, and the Cougars drove the field for Joe Callarame’s 9-yard touchdown run with less than three minutes to play for a 42-35 advantage.

The Seton defense got an interception, and the offense was able to get a first down to run out the clock.

Seton Catholic will travel for the semifinals to take on No. 1 Royal.

In Sammamish, Skyview jumped out to a 14-0 lead with touchdowns from Jake Kennedy and Gavin Poffenroth on the Storm’s first two possessions of the game.

Eastlake’s defense, though, was up to the challenge from there, shutting out Skyview the rest of the night. Eastlake got a short field goal with 2:18 left in the game. Skyview made it to the Eastlake 31-yard line but lost the ball on downs.

Skyview’s season ended with a 10-2 record and a state quarterfinal appearance.