Seton Catholic improves to 7-0, King’s Way Christian is now 4-3, and both programs are on the rise when it comes to respecting each other in this rivalry

Paul Valencia
ClarkCountyToday.com

The two football programs have different goals this season, and both are moving in the right direction.

In a lot more ways than just results on a football field.

Seton Catholic, one of the top Class 1A teams in the state, took down rival King’s Way Christian 45-7 on Friday night.

After the game, the two teams shook hands, and several players from each side of this rivalry shared a few moments together.

Together.

“I love this game. We’re rivals, but we’re friends,” Seton Catholic junior Teddy Wieczorek said. “We’re all one community. We’re all Christian/Catholic. We’re all playing for God. That’s the main goal.”

Wieczorek caught two touchdown passes Friday night. Seton Catholic quarterback Kolten Gresser threw five TD passes. 

“Obviously it’s a rivalry game so you’re more pumped up and excited. But it’s all respect and love out there,” Gesser said. “During the game, ‘I’m going to hit you hard.’ After the game, it’s all love.”

King’s Way Christian senior lineman Gray Boys said he will be rooting for Seton Catholic the rest of the year. The Cougars, a state semifinals team a year ago, have a long-term goal for another final four run — and beyond. 

“I hope they can do the best that they can do,” Boys said.

In Friday’s game, Boys appreciated several of the comments that were made from Seton Catholic players, offering encouraging words. He specifically pointed out Seton Catholic’s Dylan Hamilton for his sportsmanship.

“They show respect and I’m going to show it back,” Boys said. “That’s obviously a lot better than a lot of trash talking.”

The two schools do have a lot in common. Numbers wise, they could be Class B schools under Washington’s classification system. Both schools opt up to play in Class 1A. They also are roughly two miles from each other. And yes, as private schools, they are, in a way, competing for student-athletes.

The athletic programs also have an interesting history. There have been times when the schools had combined teams — athletes from both schools teaming up for competition for one team. That included football. 

The transition out of those combined teams was not ideal. There were hurt feelings and misunderstandings in the past, which led to some unsavory moments in the rivalry.

Both administrations have been trying to smooth things over for years, and they do feel they are on the right track.

“I know the coaching staffs have a lot of respect for each other,” said Phil Kent, Seton Catholic’s athletic director, noting that the schools have worked hard to repair the relationship.

“Other than us turning up on the losing side a little too often, I think it’s healthy,” said Jared Valentine, the athletic director at King’s Way Christian. “There haven’t been too many issues.”

He said both sides could use some growth in understanding the true value of high school athletics, but again, things are moving in a positive direction.

He also has a lot of respect for the product that Seton Catholic has been putting on the field of late.

“Competition is good. It makes us better,” Valentine said. “I love it when Seton has great teams because it pushes us to get better.”

The score turned out to be lopsided Friday night, but it was a closer game than last year’s contest between these teams. King’s Way Christian only won two games last year. The Knights are 4-3 this season.

Valentine said he will be pulling for Seton Catholic the rest of the campaign. It is a way to fulfill the mission at King’s Way Christian to be happy for someone else’s success.

Dale Rule, the coach at King’s Way Christian, agreed.

“When they are successful, celebrate it. When we’re successful, celebrate it,” Rule said. “We’ve got to pull for each other.”

Before Friday’s game, Seton Catholic welcomed visiting players and their fans with a pre-game announcement.

“We are honored and blessed to have you here as guests,” Seton Catholic announced. 

The two teams bowed their heads in prayer, and then got ready to play.

The Cougars improved to 7-0. The Knights fell to 4-3. 

Then they saluted each other after the game.

“Good sportsmanship. That’s what God wants,” Teddy Wieczorek said. “That’s what we’re taught here.”