Rivals Capital High School and Olympia High School have been settling scores on the football field since 1976 in the Spaghetti Bowl. While the game has deep emotional roots for the Olympia community, the rivalry isn’t as prominent in 2024 as it was in the 80s or 90s because the teams are now in separate leagues. But the Spaghetti Bowl, its history and tradition, are important to many fans who were reminiscing of past games when floats perused at half time and cheer squads stood on beer kegs and threw mini footballs to fans.
The Bears and Cougars ghosts of gridiron glory smiled over this year’s game. Kravitz, Stophy, Juergens, Galloway, Cook, Allen, Lohnes, Lee smiled down over this year’s Spaghetti Bowl as a sold-out stadium of community support cheered, smiled and celebrated, as a community should, over a heart-felt battle of friends, neighbors and foes.
In a back-and-forth, cross-town rival, slug fest, the Olympia Bears defeated Capital High School 21-14 at Ingersoll Stadium on September 6, 2024. Senior Olympia quarterback Cameron Downing rushed for the winning touchdown in the final seconds to lead the Bears (1-0) over Capital (0-1). The win for Olympia gave the Bears a tie for wins at 21-21 for Spaghetti Bowl meetings.
The teams traded the lead with Capital scoring first and Olympia scoring twice to take a 14-7 lead. Olympia receiver Harper Hejtmanek had six receptions for 110 yds on the night including a 60 yd strike that tied the score in the first half at 7-7.
After falling behind in the third quarter, Capital tied the game at 14-14 with 8:52 left in the fourth quarter. Capital running back Black Ostrander was a game-changer during the night rushing for 156 yards on 18 carries and scoring once to lead the Capital offense.
In the end, it was Downing though, with his fourth-quarter leadership drive with deep passes to Hejtmanek (called back) and a 44-yard sideline strike to Drake Hughes which set up Downing’s winning TD to seal the win for the Bears. Downing was 10-23 with 199 passing yards, two passing TDS, two interceptions, four rushes for 13 yds including his game-winning one-yard rushing TD.
Bears coach Nick Mullen praised both teams and acknowledged his team’s perseverance and battle spirit. “Anytime it’s a cross-town rivalry game it just doesn’t matter who is better but it is just always a hard-fought battle,” Mullen noted. “The defense and what coach Schultz does for us was amazing and tonight was a game of mistakes and perseverance and whoever persevered the longest was going to win.”
Capital looks to rebound next week with a tough match-up hosting WF West. Head coach Terry Rose felt his team battled and celebrated the leadership of his seniors. “It was a good game and that is what football is all about,” Rose stated after the game. “We had two teams that didn’t want to quit and it was physical and obviously a rivalry game and we lost to a good team and good luck to them. I’m proud of my seniors who lead and do a great job of picking others up.”
Capital Senior quarterback Lucas Redman threw one touchdown and one interception going 15/23 with 125 yards on the night including a fantastic corner end zone strike to Hunter Sayre to tie the game at 14-14 in the fourth quarter. Both teams battled and changed possessions in the fourth and Capital was driving for the winning touchdown when they fumbled in the closing minutes giving Olympia the opportunity for the win.
Bears coach Mullen handed the play calling over to his quarterback on the final drive. “Everyone knows how excited I get and I credit my team as they just stayed mellow and Cam called his own number the last two plays. I just run the program but the players are out there and they have to know I trust them and they persevered tonight.” Olympia will refocus as they travel to Issaquah on Friday, September 13, for a non-league game.
