In Sequim, it was a happy Homecoming for most — but not all.

Sequim High School’s football team celebrated the 2009 Homecoming with a 41-6 rout of Eatonville Friday night, but two Eatonville Cruiser players were carted off the field on stretchers during the contest.

I’ve received a couple of e-mails from concerned folks in the area, so I contacted George Fairhart, head coach at Eatonville. You’ll be happy to know that the youngsters will be okay but they won’t play for the Cruisers for the remainder of 2009.

Here’s the response from Mr. Fairhart:

“One player had 3 cracked ribs, the other has a minor concussion and a sore
neck, both are doing fine, however their football seasons are over. The team Doctor for Sequim (I never got his name) did a great job working with our kids, and the EMT crew was amazing, you are very fortunate to have such caring and professional people surrounding the football program.”

I know little of the Eatonville program, but it seems Fairhart and company are class acts. They play hard (check out last year’s battle in Eatonville for proof) but, as far as I could see, they aren’t dirty.

It’s always tough to see players get hurt, and no one wants to be on any end of a season-ending injury. Here’ to hoping the Cruiser kids are doing well.

On the Sequim side, running back Travis Decker was dinged up before that game with a shoulder injury; that’s why Isaac Yamamoto got the start.

But Decker was in on the first series just a few plays in and wound up with more than 230 yards, so I’m guessing that shoulder is okay. Apparently he got knocked in an early-week practice.

Preston McFarlen didn’t play the whole game, either. Sequim’s starting center has had issues with a knee he tweaked against Cascade Christian on Sept. 19. But he still managed to get on the field for several plays.

With two games left in the season, the Wolves can look forward to resting several of their starters. They get Washington (1-4 in league, 2-6 overall) at home Friday night and if North Mason beats Fife (they likely will), Sequim locks up the league championship and top seed.

According to my sources, the Wolves get the No. 3 seed from District 1 at state, and will likely play Burlington-Edison on either Nov. 13 or Nov. 14 at Silverdale Stadium.

That’s a tough first opponent, but everyone at state is tough. At last glance, B-E is ranked ninth in the state and plays some of the toughest teams in the state as preparation. But they will have to travel a bit longer than the Wolves. Sequim’s spread offense should give any team fits.

We’ll see soon enough. While Burlington-Edison has five wins in the state playoffs in the past two seasons (and was state 3A champs in 1977 and 1980), Sequim’s Wolves are still seeking their first playoff victory.