(WSHS senior Breck Estep, #4, shows off the Huling Bowl trophy to the student section)

Story by Jason Grotelueschen
Photos by Oliver Hamlin
For West Seattle Blog

In the annual football battle between the area’s two largest high schools, the 2025 Huling Bowl was claimed by West Seattle High School as the Wildcats triumphed over the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks by a score of 17-10, in a hard-fought game in front of a packed house Friday night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex.

The Wildcats are reclaiming the trophy this year after the Seahawks had prevailed in the rivalry game last season. For this season, coach Anthony Stordahl’s Wildcats move to 2-0 after the win, while Daron Camacho‘s Seahawks were dealt their first loss to fall to 2-1.

Both schools’ crowds and their bands and cheer squads were out in full force at NCSWAC on Friday, including many of the WSHS students decked out in neon:

The energy was high as teams took the field:

Sealth senior Kingston Cappiello (#2) celebrates after making a stop in the first quarter:

WSHS junior Justice Nguyen (#1) grabbed a key interception on a deep pass:

Senior Breck Estep (#4) caught a pass to set the Wildcats up for their first touchdown:

This was followed by a WSHS touchdown pass from junior QB Desmond Parkinson (#12) to senior LJ Moody (#3) with 6:46 left in the quarter. After a successful extra point kick, the Wildcats were on top 7-0.

Sealth answered with a drive of their own, featuring plenty of work by senior QB MJ Filitaula (#12):

As well as junior Xander Gomez (#23), running down the field after catching a pass:

And senior Jessie Gilmore II gaining yards on the ground:

The Sealth drive was capped by a Filitaula TD run with 2:10 left in the first quarter:

…and the successful extra-point kick tied the game at 7-7, which was also the score as the 2nd quarter got underway.

West Seattle reclaimed the lead in the 2nd quarter on a TD run by senior Jesse Hansen-Wilson (#43), to go ahead 14-7 after the extra-point kick. The Wildcats added a field goal by senior Jonah Pelander (#7) to extend their lead to 17-7, and then Sealth answered with their own long field goal courtesy of senior Ogi Petronijvec (#1) as time expired in the first half, with West Seattle on top 17-10.

Parkinson moved the Wildcats down the field through the air:

…and on the ground:

Moody, taking a handoff from Parkinson:

Sealth senior Shane Tino (#52) celebrates a tackle in the 2nd quarter by revealing a shirt in honor his late aunt Liz (one of many matching shirts at the game, worn by the family):

Pelander kicks an extra point:

During halftime, both schools’ bands entertained, including drummers from WSHS:

…and Sealth:

Also at halftime, special guest Councilmember Rob Saka took the field with athletic directors Ernest Policarpio of CSIHS and Corey Sorenson of WSHS, as a “proclamation” was read by the PA announcer to commemorate the Huling Bowl and the participating schools.

In the 3rd quarter, the teams traded possessions until Sealth moved deep into Wildcat territory and scored an apparent touchdown, which the officiating crew waved off due to a penalty. This was followed by another penalty and ultimately a failed pass attempt into the end zone on 4th down, which meant the Seahawks came up empty and the Wildcats took over on downs.

The score remained 17-10 as the 3rd quarter ended, and in the final quarter the teams went back and forth (including a key Sealth fumble and WSHS recovery):

…with no points scored by either team in the fourth quarter (or in the entire 2nd half), the game ended with a 17-10 West Seattle win.

After the game, the Wildcats and their fans celebrated on the field with the Huling Bowl trophy. Here’s councilmember Saka with the winning squad:

The coveted trophy:

Both teams play on the road next week: Sealth on Thursday 9/25 at Ingraham at 7 pm, and West Seattle on Friday 9/26 at Lincoln HS at 7 pm.