The 2026 Capital football season fell one game shy of the program’s first trip to state since 2014, as the Cougars were crushed by undefeated Enumclaw 49-14 in a Class 3A Round of 32 matchup on Friday, Nov. 6.
One week after the Cougars pulled off a double-digit comeback against Silas in a 3A crossover, Enumclaw put Capital in a similar position in the first half with a 14-0 lead through the first quarter. The Hornets quickly extended their lead early in the second quarter thanks to an interception of Capital quarterback Nolan Potts and their third touchdown run of the half.
Potts put the Cougars on the scoreboard with a 2-yard scamper midway through the second quarter, but Enumclaw put one more touchdown on the board to take a 28-7 advantage into halftime.
Potts connected with a wide-open Kennon Valentine in the end zone late in the third quarter to make it a two-score game again until Enumclaw blitzed the Cougars with three rushing touchdowns in the final 13 minutes. The Hornets rushed for seven scores on the Capital defense.
“Enumclaw was a great team. Very physical in size, and we just got outplayed,” Capital head coach Terry Rose said. “I was proud of our kids for playing 48 minutes. We missed a few key players tonight, but our kids battled to the end.”
Capital finishes the season with a 5-5 record. Several key seniors will graduate this year, including quarterback Nolan Potts, wide receiver Carter Pennington, wide receiver Carter Armstrong, running back/defensive back Garrett Murphy, lineman Karver Bulloch, running back/defensive back Mason Bottin, and wide receiver/defensive end Kennon Valentine, among others.
“I could not be more proud of this crew. Our seniors will be missed,” Rose said. “Their legacy will be carried through the next group of Capital High School football. They are definitely a great group.”
