Carlos Vallejo has been on both sides of one of the most storied rivalries in Southwest Washington.
His first years of high school were at Centralia and he had to witness the W.F. West football team winning the Swamp Cup. Then he transferred to the other side of the swamp, but had to sit out last fall.
Vallejo got handed a signature moment on Friday night.
The Bearcats overcame seven penalties on their first two drives and still posted at least two touchdowns in the first three quarters en route to a 49-0 victory over the Tigers to hoist Swampy for the 16th consecutive season in the 117th overall meeting.
“It is not easy being on the losing side,” Vallejo said. “Always dreamed of this day.”
As the school fight song was sung by the players, quarterback Gage Brumfield passed off the trophy that seemingly has permanent residence in Chehalis, to Vallejo in jubilation. The smile that came across Brumfield’s face was as wide as the margin of victory.
“I wanted to give him that feeling,” Brumfield said.
Those two and the additional 14 seniors make it the fourth consecutive senior class to never lose a Swamp Cup.
“Like my freshman and sophomore year, I took it for granted and I wanted to save those times,” Brumfield said. “It is a real rivalry game and you gotta play it like one. That was my last one and it’s a little sad.”
Vallejo worked with the scout team and played junior varsity due to transfer rules. He knew his time would come once his senior year rolled around.
After starting the season at tackle and moving to center, the 6-foot-3 menace in the trenches played guard on Friday. He prides himself on being versatile and mastering all three positions on the offensive line.
“As we progress, it is getting better,” he said.
W.F. West (7-0) head coach Dan Hill understood the magnitude of seeing him have a hand in a Swamp Cup triumph.
“He learned how to grind last year and become a really good football player,” Hill stated. “Kid wants to win. To come out here and have all the hard work pay off, I’m proud of his efforts.”
It was far from an ideal start for the Bearcats.
Their first three plays were penalties. Their opening first down didn’t happen until 3 minutes, 25 seconds left in the first frame. Then a fake reverse punt return by Ross Kelley gave them the necessary boost.
Brumfield capped a 10-play, 64-yard drive with a 29-yard scamper to put the Bearcats up 7-0.
“We were 100 percent frustrated,” Brumfield said of the early flags.
A surprise onside kick was recovered by W.F. West and the connection between Brumfield and Tucker Land was in rhythm for another week on a 24-yard screen pass to double the cushion.
Land also had a 9-yard TD run and Brumfield brought a punt return back 52 yards for the score. Ross Kelley and Beau Guyette also found the end zone for the Bearcats.
Brumfield completed just six passes for 92 yards, but added over 50 on the ground and in special teams for 200 all-purpose yards. Guyette anchored the ball carriers with nine touches for 55 yards.
“It is always special,” Hill said. “Mean something to keep that (trophy) at our house. They responded today and pretty darn well.”
Centralia (0-7) wanted to keep possessions to a minimum and were willing to let the play clock go all the way down to the single digits before hiking the ball.
Still, inside runs and outside plays were either stopped immediately or were registered as a tackle for loss. Grady Westlund and Andrew Snyder were constantly in the backfield for the Bearcats.
“We made them work for things and we were in good position defensively for most of the night,” Tigers head coach Jon Rooklidge said. “Our kids fought hard; proud of them.”
One of the stalwarts in Centralia, Rooklidge did take some solace in the early scoreless contest and saw some starters on the field from its opposition when the fourth quarter commenced.
Centralia was limited to just 12 total offensive yards and four first downs. The longest run all night was a Terell Sanders quarterback draw that ended with a first down gain of 13 yards.
The Tigers close the non-league slate of their season next Saturday at Sultan for a 6 p.m. kick. Meanwhile, the circle game on the schedule is next Friday when Tumwater treks to Chehalis to battle W.F. West.
Two years ago, the Bearcats posted the victory 28-7. The T-Birds responded with an emphatic 30-point drubbing last fall. The winner will nab at least a share of the Evergreen Conference league title.
It all comes down to 48 minutes between two unbeatens.
“We’re ready for them,” Vallejo said.
