The Federal Way Eagles football team secured a dominant 56-7 victory over the Decatur Gators on October 16 at Federal Way Memorial Field, a win that solidified the Eagles' postseason spot for the 2026 season.
The game began with an early advantage for Federal Way, despite an initial misstep. After Decatur's first punt of the game was muffed by Federal Way's Tayvon Collins, granting the Gators possession at the Eagles' 14-yard line, Collins quickly rebounded. Just four plays later, Collins intercepted a pass from Decatur's Antoine Williams and ran it 96 yards for the game's first touchdown. Head coach Marcus Yzaguirre praised Collins, a University of New Mexico commit and a key figure in the Eagles' defense, for his ability to recover. "He said 'I got you, coach' and he did," Yzaguirre stated.
Decatur's challenges continued immediately after the pick-six when the Gators fumbled the ensuing kickoff at the one-yard line, which led to Federal Way's second touchdown. On Decatur's next drive, Andrew Pea Pea intercepted Williams, returning the ball to the one-yard line. Isaiah Healy then found the endzone, extending Federal Way's lead to 21-0 before many fans had settled into their seats. Federal Way's Kacien Carter expressed the team's satisfaction, saying, "It feels amazing to come out here and beat on your rivals. We just got to keep on going and gaining momentum."
Despite having less than five yards of offense in the first quarter, the Eagles held a three-score lead. Federal Way's offense found its rhythm in the second quarter, with its first significant possession starting at the 10:42 mark. Ray Rondon, returning from early-season injuries, scored his first touchdown of the game, capping an eight-play drive. Curtis Gilmer also contributed a touchdown. Sophomore quarterback Cordae Norling, playing in his third game since transferring from Cascade Christian, delivered a notable pass to Kacien Carter in the corner of the endzone for the Eagles' sixth touchdown of the first half. Carter leaped over a Decatur defender to secure the catch. Coach Yzaguirre commended Norling's performance, noting he did an "excellent job moving the ball down the field and doing what he is supposed to do."
Federal Way led 42-0 at halftime, which initiated a running clock for the entire second half. In the second half, Sio Filikitonga II scored on a kickoff return, and Isaiah Healy added another touchdown with a quarterback run. Decatur's only score came on the final play of the game, a one-yard rush from Antoine Williams as time expired.
The victory was significant for the Eagles, as it solidified their position in the postseason. "We solidified our playoff spot which is the number one thing to me," Coach Yzaguirre said. "I care about getting to the playoffs and we’ll figure it out from there." Federal Way is scheduled to face White River in their final regular season game on October 23. For the Decatur Gators, securing a postseason spot will require a win against Auburn Mountainview.
