Another exciting fall season on the gridiron is in the books, culminated by Bellarmine Prep’s recent appearance in the 4A state title game. The local talent level again made it difficult to pare it down, but we present our All-City Football Team by highlighting 25 of the best players within the city limits. The group is led by a trio of quarterbacks whose seasons were too good to ignore, so we had to include them on the team. Bellarmine Prep quarterback and Colorado commit Sefo Liufau is simply one of the better players the city has seen in a long time, and his senior campaign was one of his best, as he went 193-for-280 for 2,518 yards and 24 touchdowns, while adding eight rushing touchdowns. Tacoma Baptist senior Taylor Martindale carried the Crusaders’ offense, passing for 1,779 yards and 18 touchdowns while running for 769 yards and nine more scores. Lincoln junior quarterback J’Maka Love was another outstanding dual threat, passing for 1,797 yards and 25 touchdowns while rushing for 445 yards and five scores. Bellarmine Prep junior running back Lou Millie was a true workhorse for the Lions this year, finishing with 275 carries for 1,516 yards and 13 touchdowns while also playing a significant role on defense. Wilson senior Devon Phillips – despite being injured for a few games – still totaled 1,000 yards rushing and averaged 7.8 yards per rush to also get a nod. Lincoln senior Joshua Eckwood was the prime passing target of Love this season, catching 53 passes for 897 yards and 11 touchdowns. Bellarmine junior Garrett McKay hauled in 74 catches for 1,007 yards and eight scores, and proved his durability by adding five interceptions on defense. Wilson senior Connor Patterson gets the nod at tight end, proving to be an aerial threat by hauling in five touchdown passes.

The offensive line is led by a trio of Bellarmine Prep seniors, as MacArtney McQuery, Matthew McDougal and Kevin Kors helped form one of the more dominant front fives in the state. Life Christian senior Chase Knoblauch is a hard-nosed player that also made significant contributions at linebacker, and Wilson senior Brandon Fogg helped solidify the Rams’ line at center to round out the group. The defensive line is headlined by physical Lincoln senior Peau Seigafo – who totaled 38 tackles for the Abes – and Mount Tahoma senior Joey Gillies, who showed a good burst despite a rough season for his squad. Bellarmine Prep’s Elijah Klein was a two-way standout on the line, as the junior helped clog up the middle with 27 tackles and three sacks. The linebackers are stout, led by Wilson senior Jake Ferris, who led the Rams with 103 tackles while adding eight sacks, two interceptions and three forced fumbles. Stadium senior Christian Tabile totaled 82 tackles, including three tackles for loss and one interception to fortify the Tigers’ defense. Lincoln junior Ike Castro also earns a nod after leading the Abes with 96 tackles, while adding two sacks and a forced fumble. Foss’ John Moore rounds out the group after totaling a team-high 75 tackles, with three sacks and an interception. The defensive backs are a dynamic, athletic group led by Lincoln sophomore Dehonta Hayes, who showed great range and intercepted seven passes while adding 41 tackles this season. Bellarmine Prep senior Calvin Chandler – another two-way standout – used his physical frame to notch a team-high 112 tackles. While Stadium senior Tre Scott wasn’t directing the Tigers’ Wing-T attack, he registered 77 tackles from his cornerback spot, showing he can do it all. Foss’ Jeff Lord rounds out the defensive backs after totaling 67 tackles and intercepting five passes, including one for a touchdown. Finally, any group wouldn’t be complete without a prototypical do-it-all player, which is what Bellarmine Prep’s Drew Griffin proved to be this season. The junior had 54 catches for 738 yards and four touchdowns, added 66 tackles and five interceptions on defense, and to top it off, had a key 91-yard kickoff return in a state playoff win over Bothell to earn the nod as the all-purpose player.

OFFENSE

QB Sefo Liufau – SR – Bellarmine Prep

QB Taylor Martindale – SR – Tacoma Baptist

QB J’Maka Love – JR – Lincoln

RB Lou Millie – JR – Bellarmine Prep

RB Devon Phillips – SR – Wilson

WR Joshua Eckwood – SR – Lincoln

WR Garrett McKay – JR – Bellarmine Prep

TE Connor Patterson – SR – Wilson

OL MacArtney McQuery – SR – Bellarmine Prep

OL Matthew McDougal – SR – Bellarmine Prep

OL Chase Knoblauch – SR – Life Christian

OL Brandon Fogg – SR – Wilson

OL Kevin Kors – SR – Bellarmine Prep

DEFENSE

DL Peau Seigafo – SR – Lincoln

DL Joey Gillies – SR – Mt. Tahoma

DL Elijah Klein – JR – Bellarmine Prep

LB Jake Ferris – SR – Wilson

LB Christian Tabile – SR – Stadium

LB Ike Castro – JR – Lincoln

LB John Moore – JR – Foss

DB Dehonta Hayes – SO – Lincoln

DB Tre Scott – SR – Stadium

DB Calvin Chandler – SR – Bellarmine Prep

DB Jeff Lord – SR – Foss

All-Purpose – Drew Griffin – JR – Bellarmine Prep