There was an incredible football game in Snoqualmie last Friday night. It was an overcoming obstacles kind of game that football movies like to portray: a seemingly unapologetic, antagonistic visiting coach, turnovers, controversial calls, points taken off of the board, tenacity – and then a comeback for the history books, capped with little karma for hometown fans.
I was out-of-town and finally turned to Twitter to get a game update. I had no clue about things that had transpired earlier in the game.
Five minutes left and Mount Si was down by two touchdowns. That’s right. I had read that Mount Vernon was good on the road. The next Twitter check we had scored a touchdown AND went for the two point conversion and got it. Bold move. Then a big defensive stop. The Twitter feed stayed on now. 4th and 8 on the 15. Could they possibly pull it off? And then they did. Victory, 39-38.
This game – a game which should be remembered for the comeback and fight demonstrated by Mount Si – had a distraction. One that made TV news. But for many in attendance, that 1-2 minute news report failed to bring enough context to the entire night. Yes, they say Coach Kinnune briefly lost his cool. It was not exemplary nor representative of his three decade coaching career. No, he shouldn’t have reached for the camera of a King 5 reporter regardless if there were credentials visible or not. A mistake was made.
What fans say the short news report didn’t capture were the seven personal fouls called on Mount Vernon, including unsportsmanlike conduct on the team’s second-year head coach. By the end of the game, Mount Vernon was penalized 13 times for 140 yards. Mount Si was penalized just four times for 40 yards with no personal fouls, keeping their cool and handling the adversity.
Many in attendance also say the report failed to demonstrate the unsportsmanlike behavior the visiting team exhibited throughout the game, instead focusing on Kinnune losing his cool, while only offering a glimpse of the ongoing unsportsmanlike conduct from the Mount Vernon coach.
Regardless, Snoqualmie Valley Superintendent Rob Manahan admitted the mistake – one he described as a momentary lapse of judgement – on air with King 5. The district and school also offered an apology to parents that was emailed and posted on the district’s and school’s homepage. Nothing similar could be found on the Mount Vernon website. Both schools said they would also launch investigations into behavior at the game.
Parents say what’s getting lost in all of this is the team’s hard work and accomplishments. The end result last Friday was an epic come-from-behind, last-minute victory from Mount Si. One that propelled the team into the 4A State Championship quarterfinal round – and comes with another home game.
On to the next game. The #4 rank Wildcats face Puyallup High School Friday, November 16th at Wildcat Stadium. Kick off is 7PM. #5 ranked Puyallup rolled over Eastmont last week 45-10 and it promises to be a competitive game.
Coach Kinnune commented, “We look forward to a great game between two excellent teams. Our focus is on getting healthy and sharpening our execution as we prepare for another fantastic contest in our home stadium.”
Kinnune was grateful for the hometown support last week saying, “Thank you to the fans for backing us through an epic finish the other night. Through all the ups and downs, our guys dug down deep and finished.”
Friday’s game theme is a White-Out and the first 120 Mount Si students through the gates get a free white t-shirt complete with State Championship logos.
All high school students must purchase tickets. There is no free entry for home ASB students.
Ticket pricing:
- General Admission $10
- Students w/ASB (HS, MS) $7
- Senior Citizens $7
- Elementary $7
- Pre-School Free
School administrators say there will be a safety meeting before that game, which typically involves administrators, athletic directors, supervision personnel and police who are planning to attend the game. They review logistics and assign areas for supervision and support.
SVSD Public Information Officer Carolyn Malcolm said, “In anticipation of the upcoming game, Mount Si has been working closely with Puyallup High School. They have invited Puyallup to the safety meeting and will be providing their staff ID tags to help identify people on the sidelines. In addition to assigning Mount Si staff to areas for supervision (as is standard), the high school is also bringing in more security for this game, since it will likely be well attended.”
Good Luck and Go Cats!
Comments
Excellent article on what really happened. Thank you. The kids were amazing. Great game. We appreciate Coach Kinnune and the entire coaching staff. Nick Mitchells videos tell the whole story. Go cats.
Well said, I have coached many years at the youth level and I know charlie instills the same, which is respect your opponents, respect the refs, and respect the game which we did. Th e letter by the superindentant and principle was a JOKE basically put our coaches, the players, and fans at the same level as mount vernon. Those who where at the game know went down. Would be nice to have our superindent and principle have the backs of our players, coaches, and community. Versus just trying to make themselves look good.
Charlie epitomizes all the great qualities a coach should have. I’m sure he has the respect and admiration of far more students, parents and fellow coaches than most coaches in the state. The amount Vernon coach can only hope to achieve the same admiration.