Stopping Bethel running back Anthony Meray is the No. 1 task that opposing defenses face. Puyallup did that for most of Friday night, letting the SPSL’s leading rusher break free for only one run longer than 20 yards.
But what happens when defenses let themselves key only on Meray?
“They put eight, nine guys in the box, they got sucked in on that fake,” Meray said, “and we hit it big.”
Bethel receiver Tommy McDonald beat one-on-one coverage, and no safety was deep to stop him from streaking into the end zone untouched for a game-clinching, 74-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown in the eighth-ranked Braves’ 24-10 win over Puyallup at Sparks Stadium.
“That play put us over the top,” Bethel coach Gavin Kralik said.
The victory hands Bethel (7-1 overall, 6-1 league) the SPSL South’s No. 2 seed in the preliminary round of the state playoffs in Week 10. The Braves will host the No. 2 seed from the WesCo North.
“We had a lot to play for tonight,” Meray said. “We knew if we won, we’d get the second seed and have the home game.”
Meray might not have busted loose for big gains against the Vikings (2-6, 1-6), but he still managed to pile up gaudy statistics, rushing for 191 yards and two touchdowns on 36 carries.
“We tried to contain Meray,” Puyallup coach Tom Ingles said. “We did what we could do. We had to play a perfect game to beat Bethel.”
Tied 10-10 in the third quarter, Bethel took the lead for good when Meray scored on a 4-yard touchdown run.
“Puyallup played tough,” said Meray, who has 1,568 yards rushing this season. “We knew this wasn’t going to be an easy win.”
Earlier in the game, Bethel ground out a 19-play, 80-yard possession that ate more than 10 minutes off the clock. Meray capped it with a 2-yard touchdown plunge that gave the Braves a 10-7 lead late in the second quarter.
Puyallup drove to the Bethel 27 on its final drive of the first half, but Bethel’s Travis Otis ended that threat when he intercepted quarterback Erin Barber at the goal line.
The Vikings tied the score at 10 when Sean Halligan drilled a 45-yard field goal on Puyallup’s first possession of the third quarter. The Vikings converted three third downs on the drive, including one on a defensive pass interference call. Penalties plagued Bethel throughout the game. The Braves were flagged 13 times for 121 yards.
“We were making it rain,” Meray said. “We can’t do that.”
Puyallup running back Sean Rehon hammered the Braves’ defense in the first quarter for 77 yards on nine carries. Rehon, who finished with 122 yards on 21 attempts, scored on a 9-yard burst off right tackle, giving Puyallup a 7-0 lead with 5:30 left in the first quarter.
Bethel defensive tackle Happy Iona did not play because he’s nursing an ankle that he sprained earlier this season. Iona, who has given an oral commitment to play at Oregon State University, might not play next week against Spanaway Lake, Kralik said.
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