Amid Travel Delays, Washington Falls to Minnesota 48-32 In Playoffs

The Washington Wolfpack played their first playoff game in franchise history, hitting the road to Duluth, Minnesota, to take on the Minnesota Monsters for a rematch from two weeks prior. Washington received the sixth seed after Minnesota, the third seed, beat Beaumont the prior week. The Wolfpack played hard but ultimately fell to the Monsters, 48-32. The improvements in their third year under Head Coach JR Wells were evident to all those who watched. More points, more competitiveness, and more brotherhood showed each and every week. They accomplished multiple achievements, including scoring a franchise-high 79 points on the road against Oregon earlier in the year, winning a franchise-high 5 games in the regular season, and making the playoffs for the first time. 

Travel Delays

The arrival in Minnesota was quite unorthodox for the Wolfpack. They were scheduled to fly out early on Saturday at noon. However, due to system issues with the FAA, that flight didn’t leave. As the team waited at the airport to travel, the flight continued to be delayed in one-hour increments over and over again. 

A majority of the players were able to make it onto a different flight, which left the Washington area at 11:55 PM, putting them in Minnesota in the early morning hours of game day. Six additional players had to catch a flight on Sunday at 11:51 AM (1:51 PM Minnesota time). 

Those six players included Tyler Stephens, Tywonn Buckley, Donyai Dixon, Undra Hendrix, Andrew McBride, and Andrew Boyle. They didn’t arrive in Duluth, Minnesota, via transport from the Minneapolis airport until just before halftime of the game. Minnesota did agree to delay the game by one hour. However, it wasn’t enough time to get them there after their flight also left late due to weather. Coach Wells is never one to make excuses. However, the early AM arrival on Sunday and the six players fresh off the bus hopping right into the game would affect any team and its players. 

On top of all that, they were without one of their top receivers from the regular season, Deshon Williams, due to a broken foot. 

First Half

The Washington Wolfpack got into an early hole, down 13-0. They didn’t waver, though. Everybody had to step up and play positions they didn’t normally play. Offensive lineman Jake Oliphant scored the Wolfpack’s first touchdown, pulling within 7 points. Washington was given more life when Eugene Ford picked the ball off on the next drive by Minnesota. 

Unfortunately, Jaiave Magalei faced pressure all day and was sacked on back-to-back plays, the second resulting in a safety. Donte Reed, normally a linebacker and defensive lineman, handled kicker duties until Andrew Boyle arrived in the second half. Minnesota was able to drive the ball down the field on the next drive and score a touchdown, extending their lead to 22-6. 

Washington answered, moving the ball down the field and finishing with a touchdown run by Freddie Booth-Lloyd to pull within 22-12 with 42 seconds left in the first half. Minnesota was able to answer quickly, as Ja’Vonte Johnson hit Shiloh Flanagan for a long touchdown, extending their lead to 29-12 headed into the half. 

Prior to the half ending, Jaiave Magalei was hit late on a play, popping his helmet off and drawing blood. The young quarterback took hard shots and multiple late hits all day. He continued to persevere, pulling himself up and huddling the team up. 

“It’s nothing that people don’t always see, but he’s a lion," Coach JR Wells said of Magalei. "He’s ruthless. He’s one of those guys you've got to have on the team. He’s the standard. Shot after shot, he was taken with a broken wrist, a previously separated shoulder that had to be popped back in. Bleeding from the face and still saying ‘Alright coach, let’s go next play’, you can’t teach that.”

Second Half

The six delayed players arrived in the second half, ready to make a difference. They had held Minnesota to fourth down. However, a defensive holding penalty extended the Monsters’ drive and led to an eventual touchdown. 

Tyler Stephens showed how he was missed on the next drive, catching a 40-yard pass from Magalei and then a touchdown pass to cut the lead to 36-19. The defense was also ready to jump in, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Michael Badejo. Magalei hit Brandon Lombana on the next drive for a touchdown, pulling within 10 points, 36-26. 

Minnesota was able to score on the next play to extend their lead to sixteen points, 42-26. To the Wolfpack’s credit, they never backed down. On 4th and 16, Magalei hit Lombana again for a 15.5-yard gain, falling just short of the first down. 

The Wolfpack still wouldn’t back down. Their defense held, and they were able to score on the next play. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, leaving them trailing by 10, 42-32, with just a minute left. After an unsuccessful onside kick, Minnesota was able to score again. That’s how the game would end, 48-32. 

Against unusual circumstances and fatigue from the travel, the Wolfpack showed exactly why they were able to find success this year. Against all odds, they never backed down and never doubted themselves all year. Coach’s saying of “#WC - Who Cares” was always at the forefront of their mind. 

Next In The AF1 And For Washington

That will conclude the Washington Wolfpack’s season in the AF1 this year. Among the multiple accomplishments listed in the opening of this article, there were plenty of other accomplishments. One, for example, is the play of Byron Edwards that has him in the Defensive Player of the Year consideration. Jaiave Magalei showed promise all year. Making his first start in Week 2, he continued to gain confidence and make big plays. He dealt with injuries, including a broken hand on his non-throwing shoulder and a separated shoulder, and missed multiple games. His toughness showed throughout the year as well as in the game tonight. 

For the AF1, the Minnesota Monsters will now face the Albany Firebirds in Albany next weekend. Meanwhile, the Michigan Arsenal will face off against the Nashville Kats. 

While the season may be over for the Wolfpack, it is a season to remember. Every time I talked with Coach Wells and the players this year, they never hesitated to point out their appreciation for how the fans showed up. This year felt very different for the Wolfpack from the previous two, and they’re just getting started.