For the second consecutive week, Sequim’s Wolves found themselves playing into extra time.

Same situation, different result – and with much more on the line.

Sequim’s defense stuffed the Bulldogs on four plays and Sequim senior quarterback Miguel Moroles scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the night with a one-yard dive as Sequim edged North Mason 26-20 in overtime, earning a key Olympic League victory Friday night.

The win keeps Sequim (2-1 in league play, 4-2 overall) just a game back of North Kitsap and Olympic and in line for a postseason berth.

“This is the part of the season where we establish who we are in league, when we decide if we go for the playoffs,” Sequim defensive back Dylan Lott said.

One week after an overtime, non-league loss to Centralia, the Wolves made good on their goal to win their Homecoming game — but it wasn’t easy. Sequim defensive back Kane Stoddard intercepted two passes — including one he nearly ran in for a score at the end of regulation — and broke up a pass in overtime to set up Moroles’ game-clinching score.

The Wolves were looking much improved from a team that gave up 69 points to North Mason last year in the highest-scoring game in Sequim history (a combined 115 points).

“They’re a really great defense,” Sequim head coach Erik Wiker said of his team. “They do have some lapses (but) it’s tough to stop a downhill running team.”

North Mason ran roughshod over Sequim for three quarters of the game, and after a 21-play, nine-minute drive that put the Bulldogs up 20-13 early in the fourth quarter, Terry Winslow intercepted a Moroles pass with seven minutes remaining.

Sequim’s defense came up big, however, forcing a turnover on downs at their own five-yard-line. Two plays later, with 6:20 on the clock, Moroles scrambled down the right sideline for 84 yards and the game-tying score.

Both teams forced turnovers via interceptions — two by Stoddard, one by Winslow — but neither was able to gain an advantage before overtime.

In the extra period and North Mason starting with possession, Sequim stacked the line and stopped a pair of runs by D’Andre Dixon for no gain. After Bulldog quarterback Matt Becker rushed for a seven-yard gain, North Mason lined up for a fourth-and-three, but Daniel Burggraaf, who to that point had a stellar game on both sides of the ball, was called for a false start. On the next play, Stoddard broke up Becker’s pay across the middle.

“Stoddard is a good football player. He doesn’t say a word (in practice), then goes out there and plays like an animal,” Wiker said.

With the ball at North Mason’s 25-yard-line, Sequim went to Chris Whitaker for a pair of long runs to the North Mason seven-yard-line. Three plays later, it was Moroles diving through the line, stretching just far enough across the line for the score.

“We had that experience (from last week),” Moroles said. “We just had to buckle down and do what we needed to do.”

Back-and-forth

Sequim opened the scoring in the first quarter. Despite a trio of penalties, the Wolves marched 70 yards on 13 plays, highlighted by a Moroles-to-Ian Dennis 28-yard pass to convert a third down-and-24. Moroles took it in from seven yards out. A point-after attempt failed.

“The penalties were frustrating,” Moroles said. Sequim finished with eight penalties for 67 yards. “We knew we needed to stop shooting ourselves in the foot.”

North Mason responded quickly. Taking possession at midfield after a failed Sequim onside kick, Dixon had a 20-yard rush to the Sequim three-yard-line, where Davontea Davenport took it in one play later for a 7-6 North Mason lead.

The Bulldogs increased their lead soon, after forcing a turnover on downs. With the ball near midfield, Becker, slipped a tackle and raced 57 yards to pay-dirt and a 13-6 lead.

Sequim tied the game early in the second quarter, driving 65 yards in 10 plays and capped by Moroles nine-yard scamper.

It remained 13-13 until North Mason broke the tie with their 21-play drive that saw Cole Rinehart push into the end zone with 9:34 on the clock for a 20-13 lead.

“Most high school teams make a mistake on that drive,” Wiker said. “They had two penalties all game. They played about perfect.”

With Winslow’s interception following, it looked like North Mason had all the momentum, but one possession later, Moroles evened the game with his length-of-the-field score, setting up the overtime drama.

Moroles finished with 115 yards and four touchdowns on the ground and was 13-of-21 for 169 yards and the two interceptions. Whitaker had 13 rushed for 54 yards, Stoddard added 50 yards on just three tries and Ethan Richmond chipped in with four carries for 34 yards. Bailey Earley led the Wolves with seven receptions for 104 yards.

Dixon led North Mason with 18 carries for 105 of the Bulldogs’ 254 rushing yards. Becker added an even 100 yards on 15 attempts. Becker was four-of-10 for 67 yards and two interceptions passing.

Looking ahead

With Homecoming in the rearview mirror, Sequim now prepares for what SHS players call their biggest game of the year: the Rainshadow Rumble against cross-peninsula rival Port Angeles.

The Roughriders (1-2, 3-3) are coming off a 27-14, non-league home loss to Black Hills on Friday. Last year, Port Angeles topped Sequim 37-21 in Sequim, ending a run of five consecutive Wolves wins in the rivalry.

Olympic League week 6

standings (2A division)

Team Lg.               Over.

North Kitsap 3-0 6-0

Olympic 3-0 4-2

Sequim 2-1 4-2

North Mason 2-2 3-3

Port Angeles 1-2 3-3

Kingston 1-3 1-5

Bremerton 0-4 2-4

Week six scores:

at Sequim 26, North Mason 20 (OT)

Black Hills 27, at Port Angeles 14

North Kitsap 48, at Bremerton 24

at Olympic 28, Kingston 7