WOLFPACK SLAM THE DOOR ON THE BOMBERS TO WIN 43-30

Adversity was the first thing head coach JR Wells mentioned post-game, and the Washington Wolfpack know something about overcoming it. They trailed at halftime to the Oceanside Bomers, but rallied in a big way in the second half to win their fourth game of the season 43-30. 

As the first half ended, the Wolfpack found themselves staring down the wrong end of a 23-19 score, and things were not going great. The Oceanside offense was moving the ball up and down the field, and the Wolfpack were just off on multiple passes and scoring opportunities. But the DNA of this team is not to roll over and give up, and they showed it in the second half.

The defense buckled down and put the clamps on a Bombers’ offense that had been averaging 42 points per game in the second half, and the Wolfpack offense found some burst as well. Veteran receiver Deshon Williams posted a career-best 159 yards and four touchdowns to pace the offense. On the defensive side of the ball, defensive specialist Byron Edwards had eight tackles, three pass breakups, two interceptions, and he returned one for a touchdown too. With standout veteran performances across the board, Washington stood tall for this test.

WASHINGTON IN THE PLAYOFF HUNT

“Getting better every week.” That’s the refrain right now from Head Coach JR Wells. For a Washington Wolfpack team that started the season 0-3 and had gone a combined 4-17 over the previous two seasons, getting better seemed like a daunting task. However, the team has rallied, and the players have delivered on their coach’s expectations. Since that start, the Wolfpack have gone 4-1 and are battling not only for their first-ever playoff appearance, but are one game back of the Minnesota Monsters to host a playoff game as well.

When the Pack opened the season on a three-game skid, there was a feeling that it was going to be the same old song and dance for Washington. With four total wins over the previous seasons, Washington was not among the elites of the arena football world. The turning point started in Week 4 against the Albany Firebirds. Washington lost, but they contained the explosive Albany Firebirds and had a chance to tie the game on the last play of the game as they lost 42-34.

Since then, it has been tight games and hard-fought wins for Coach Wells and the Wolfpack. This week was no exception. “The guys came in, faced adversity in this one,” said Coach Wells. “We have a bond and brotherhood that you can’t buy.”

MAGALEI LEADS THE OFFENSE

One of the biggest reasons for the turnaround has been the steady quarterback play of Jaiave Magalei. Magalei took hold of the Wolfpack starting quarterback job in Week Two and has not given it up yet. Other than a one-week absence for personal reasons, Magalei has been the guy for Washington, and he has given Washington fans the best offense they’ve had in their existence.

Against Oceanside, Jaiave took the next step in his offensive development. He threw for a career-best 218 yards and five touchdowns, also a career best. “Jaivae has come in each and every week, working and getting stronger,” said Coach Wells. “He is a true leader, he stands and delivers when we need him.” His leadership was on display in the second half as he led the charge for the offense.

It helps that he has a dominant, physical presence at receiver like Deshon Williams. Williams has seen the Wolfpack change this season, and his play has been at the core of that. He now has more receiving touchdowns this season than he had in his two previous seasons of arena football. His performance consistently does the talking for him, and he is among the top receivers in AF1. With four receiving touchdowns today, Williams repeatedly delivered big plays when Washington needed them, and his 46-yard catch and run in the third quarter helped put the momentum firmly behind Washington.

Also adding to the offensive performance for the Pack were big-play receiver Aakiel Greer and thundering fullback Undra Hendrix. Greer opened the scoring on the first play from scrimmage with a 30-yard touchdown catch from Magalei, and Hendrix capped it with a one-yard, touchdown run that saw him truck several defenders on his way to the endzone. Hendrix also finished with a season-best 37 yards.

DEFENSE CLAMPS DOWN IN THE SECOND HALF

The second half has been where the Washington Wolfpack defense has done their best work. Repeatedly, they have held their opponents to ten or fewer points in the second half. Tonight was no exception as they held a potent Bombers’ offense to only seven second-half points. They also added a defensive touchdown thanks to defensive specialist Byron Edwards.

“Byron Edwards is establishing himself as a defensive player of the year candidate,” said Coach Wells. “He competes in every game, and we’re lucky to have a guy like him leading the way and being a captain.” This was a career game for Edwards with nine total tackles, one tackle for loss, three pass breakups, and two interceptions to go with his touchdown. Every time the ball is thrown in Edwards’ direction, he is a threat to make a play on the ball. The play before his interception, he nearly had an interception, but successfully broke up the pass. 

It was a team effort defensively as all three starting defensive backs had pass breakups. Eugene Ford and Machiach Lee each added a handful of tackles and a pass breakup to the stat sheet, and Lee also had an interception to close out the game. This trio has been dominant on the backend of the defense and is central to their defensive success.

Despite the lack of gaudy sack numbers, the defensive line did a good job of disrupting the Oceanside offense and forcing quarterback Rudy Johnson to throw before he was ready. The front of Isaiah Pedack, Michael Badejo, Abu Bangura, and Donte Reed was consistent in creating pressure and forcing quick throws.

WHAT IS UP NEXT FOR WASHINGTON

Coming off their second straight win, the Wolfpack are gearing up for a showdown with the rival Oregon Lightning next weekend back home in Everett. With their record standing at 4-4, the Wolfpack are in the thick of the playoff race and are one game back from hosting a playoff game as well.

Washington has improved their franchise-record for wins in a season and are looking like a new squad when compared to last season. The turnaround has Everett buzzing as their Saturday, June 20, game is 90% sold out.

The Wolfpack currently trails the Minnesota Monsters by one game and will be watching the Monsters’ Week 11 game against the Michigan Arsenal closely. An Arsenal win would put the Wolfpack into a tie with Minnesota for the fourth seed and the right to host an opening-round playoff game. If Minnesota and Washington remain in a tight race, they have a Week 14 showdown in Minnesota that could be the difference between hosting a playoff game and going on the road for one.

GAME OVERVIEW

June 14, 2026

Oceanside, California

Washington shuts down Oceanside in the second half to win 43-30

KEY MOMENTS & TURNING POINTS

Washington’s defense played strong, allowing only seven points in the second half.

Deshon Williams had a career-high 159 yards and 4 touchdowns

Byron Edwards had two interceptions and returned on for a touchdown

FINAL SCORE

Washington Wolfpack 43 at Oregon Lightning 30

Wolfpack 4-4 | Bombers 1-8

STAT LEADERS

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES & MILESTONES

Washington Defense - Interceptions by: Byron Edwards (2), Machiah Lee

Deshon Williams had a career-best game in receiving yards and touchdowns 

Byron Edwards leads AF1 in interceptions with 8

POST-GAME QUOTES

“The guys came in, faced adversity in this one, we have a bond and brotherhood that you can’t buy. Our guys play and train hard for each other every week.”

“Byron Edwards is establishing himself as a defensive player of the year candidate, he’s that good in training, and it makes our offense better. He competes in every game, and we’re lucky to have a guy like him leading the way and being a captain.”

“Deshon has been a monster, from the moment he came, he’s been a force on the field making plays for us. He’s there, he makes plays, he goes to work each and every day. I cannot say enough about him as a leader, he lets his play do the talking and leads by example.”

“Jaivae has come in each and every week, working and getting stronger. He is a true leader and a true dog, he stands and delivers when we need him.”

“We keep training and working and getting better each week.”

WHAT’S NEXT FOR WASHINGTON

HOME FOR OREGON

Wolfpack vs Oregon Lightning

Saturday, June 20, 2026

Angel of the Winds Arena

ABOUT THE WASHINGTON WOLFPACK

The Washington Wolfpack are Everett’s Professional Arena Football Team. Founded in 2023, the Wolfpack bring the hard-hitting and non-stop action of arena football to Snohomish County every gameday at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. As dedicated and proud members of the community in Everett and beyond, the Wolfpack work on and off the field to improve the team and the community.