A flurry of non-league contests featuring Metro League teams set the 2025 season in motion, delivering standout performances, dramatic comebacks, and early hints at which squads may emerge as early contenders. Here’s how each game unfolded:

Lincoln Loses To Mercer Island, 30–6

Lincoln’s season opener got off on the wrong foot in a non-league clash with KingCo foe Mercer Island. A pair of early safeties — one in the opening quarter and another in the third — plus a quick opening touchdown, allowed the Islanders to build a commanding lead. Lincoln’s offense struggled against a relentless Mercer Island defensive front, failing to crack into the red zone until late in the second, when a field goal sent the score to 12–0 at halftime.

The third quarter offered more of the same; Mercer Island forced another safety before putting the game on ice with a 16-point fourth quarter, featuring a field goal, a passing touchdown with an extra point, and a rushing touchdown, taking the lead to 30–0. Lincoln salvaged some pride in the final minute with a late passing touchdown, though a missed PAT left them shut out for much of the game. Final Score: Mercer Island 30, Lincoln 6.

Lincoln (Metro League; 4A) now turns its focus fully to Metro League play, hoping to regroup after a rough debut.

Chief Sealth Beats Hockinson 33–6

Chief Sealth opened strong against 2A Hockinson, quickly putting points on the board with a 1-yard rushing touchdown just shy of the four-minute mark. A fumble recovery set up a field goal to go up 10–0 early. The Seahawks extended their lead in the second quarter with another run-score, though a failed two-point try kept the lead at 16–0. Hockinson broke through with a 30-yard passing TD, but Sealth responded with another field goal to head into halftime up 19–6.

In the second half, turnovers again fueled Sealth. A forced fumble and interception halted Hockinson’s attempts to rally, and the Seahawks closed the game with two more touchdowns (one rushing, one passing) to cruise to a convincing 33–6 victory.

Bishop Blanchet Dominant in 42–20 Win Over Monroe

Bishop Blanchet’s offense came out firing. QB Gavin Henry threaded the first score with a 5-yard TD pass to Will Condon, followed by two rushing scores — one each from Charlie Slatt (5 yards) and Henry himself (7 yards) — to push the lead to 21. Henry wasn’t done, connecting on two more first-half touchdowns: a 26-yard strike to Logan Fahey and a 39-yard bomb to Noah Rinderle, the latter set up by an interception from Jasper Lytle. Heading into halftime with a commanding 35–6 lead, the Bears never looked back en route to a 42–20 season-opening win.

Seattle Prep Wins Nail-biter Over Snohomish, 21–14

Seattle Prep entered the fourth quarter nursing an 8-point lead (14–6) before Snohomish knotted things up late with a touchdown, forcing a tie with just under four minutes left. But with the clock winding down, Prep QB Leo Harnetiaux unleashed a 65-yard TD pass to Beckett Archer — giving the Panthers a dramatic 21–14 win.

Graham-Kapowsin Edge O’Dea, 40–38

Graham-Kapowsin pulled off one of the most electrifying comebacks of the weekend. Trailing 34–17 midway through the third, O’Dea rolled off 21 unanswered points to seize a 38–34 lead with under two minutes to go. But Eagle AJ Tuivaiave answered with a clutch two-yard TD run to retake the lead—and ultimately the game—40–38, handing O’Dea a heartbreaker to open their season.

Camas Shuts Out Roosevelt, 49–0

Camas overwhelmed Roosevelt with a balanced offensive attack, gaining 432 yards (240 rushing, 192 passing). QB Tyson Ruggiero tallied two touchdowns through the air (101 yards) and two on the ground (78 yards), leading Camas to a dominating 49–0 win.

Franklin Snaps 17-Year Losing Streak Against Garfield, 28–14

In a long-awaited season opener, Franklin finally toppled rival Garfield—something unseen in 17 years. The Quakers led 7–0, then watched Garfield surge ahead 14–12 at halftime. The second half began with a safety that pushed Garfield’s lead to 14–7. But Franklin’s perseverance paid off, tying it with a touchdown. A blocked punt sparked a late rally: Franklin’s (No. 4) hit paydirt with a 42-yard TD to Henry Moore, plus a PAT to go up 21–14. They sealed the deal with a 4-yard rushing touchdown, securing a 28–14 win, and ending the drought against their rivals.

Rainier Beach Overcomes Early Deficit To Down Central Kitsap, 36–21

Rainier Beach weathered an early storm—Central Kitsap struck first with a 50-yard TD—but the Vikings roared back. Oteko Mwamba’s 50-yard run brought them within 7–6 at halftime. The second half belonged to Rainier Beach: Zevion Watkins ripped off a 65-yard kickoff return for a TD; Williams added a 19-yard rushing touchdown; and a passing TD from Williams to Marques Illi-Meneese pushed the score to 28–7. Williams then threw a 58-yard TD to Ameer Johnson and ran in the two-point conversion. Central Kitsap’s late touchdowns made it close, but Rainier Beach held on for a 36–21 opener.

Other Scores:

Foster 26, Nathan Hale 7

Eastside Catholic 51, East High School (UT) 0

Shorecrest 21, Lakeside 15