Black Bears win Season opener 47-40

SALEM, Ore. — The Washington Wolfpack made their debut Saturday evening. Unfortunately for the Wolfpack it wasn’t a winning one.

Everett’s newest indoor football team lost its first-ever Arena Football League game, falling 47-40 in a barn burner against the Oregon Blackbears on Saturday evening at the Oregon State Fair and Exposition Center.

Washington trailed 45-32 in the fourth quarter when quarterback Jacob Ta’ase scrambled before throwing an 8-yard touchdown pass to Tanner Fahey to pull the Wolfpack within one score. Washington then got a late interception to get the ball back with a chance to tie or win it, but a desperation heave on fourth down was intercepted to effectively end the game.

Ta’ase finished with four passing touchdowns and two rushing TDs. Vincent Wilkerson, JR Nelson and Xavier Crawford also caught touchdown passes for Washington.

Connor Kaigi threw five TD passes and ran for a sixth to lead Oregon.