Senior leaders on the Lindbergh Eagles football team finally feel the momentum they have been working toward all summer. After three difficult seasons that produced a combined 7‑20 record, the Eagles opened 2026 with a 14‑6 win over Clover Park on Sept. 10, putting them at 2‑0 – the best start the program has enjoyed since the 2021 campaign.
Coach Allie credits senior leadership and a new culture
Head coach and Lindbergh alumnus Jacob Allie said the turnaround begins with the senior class. “Our leadership understands what it takes to grind and buy in. They have done a great job of setting and holding a standard,” Allie explained. “These guys have bought into a new culture and a new era of Lindbergh football.”
Defensive effort stifles Clover Park’s offense
Clover Park entered the game with a modest record – just three wins in the past two seasons – but they rely on a wing‑t offense that can catch undisciplined teams off guard. Lindbergh’s defense rose to the challenge, limiting the Timberwolves to a single touchdown in the 48‑minute contest.
“The defense was hungry; our kids wanted this win. As a program we needed this win and they knew that,” Allie said. Junior defensive back Austin Gathuru highlighted the effort with several big open‑field tackles, including two red‑zone stops in the fourth quarter that preserved the Eagles’ one‑score lead.
Offensive highlights and a key injury
The Eagles answered quickly on offense, scoring on their first drive after forcing a fumble on Clover Park’s opening possession. Running back Rmonnie Rogers burst through the Timberwolf line for a six‑yard touchdown.
Later, junior running back Jeremiah Humphrey broke free for a 32‑yard run that put Lindbergh inside the red zone for a second score. Humphrey left the game with an injury and did not return, but his impact was evident throughout the night.
“He has been a pillar in the changing of the culture and this era. He is a true leader,” Allie added.
Key contributors keep the drive alive
Quarterback Dom Kelly managed the offense efficiently, culminating in a read‑option play on fourth‑and‑goal that saw him cross the goal line himself. Patrick Smith II and Rogers added further rushing yards, while the extra point sealed the final score.
“When we needed it as a team, they stepped up,” Allie said of the collective effort.
Unique staff addition: UFC fighter on the coaching roster
Lindbergh may be the only high‑school football program in Washington with an active UFC fighter on staff. Former UFC competitor Elisha Ellison, who fought at UFC 329 in July, serves as a strength and conditioning coach. “Elisha is a vital part of our staff, a ball of energy who grew up in the Lindbergh area. He embodies what this community can be – tough as nails,” Allie praised.
Looking ahead
The Eagles travel to Seattle next week to face Nathan Hale on Sept. 19 before returning home for the traditional “Battle of the Birds” against Renton. Senior defensive back Gathuru summed up the team’s mindset: “We just gotta keep doing what we are doing, keep fighting.”
With a fresh sense of purpose, strong senior leadership, and a coaching staff that blends traditional football expertise with elite athletic experience, Lindbergh hopes to build on this promising start and bring the program back to the winning ways its community remembers.
Original reporting: Renton Reporter — read the source article.
