When Peninsula running back Komisi Siolo scampered into the end zone in the game’s final seconds to pull the Seahawks within one Thursday, Sumner coach Keith Ross thought the Seahawks were going to go for a two-point conversion to win the game.
But Peninsula went with the usually safe, conservative option of kicking the extra point. Only this time, it didn’t work out. The holder couldn’t handle the snap and the kick was blocked, sealing a wild 21-20 victory for the Spartans in a Class 3A South Puget Sound League game at Roy Anderson Field in Gig Harbor.
“There’s a lot of pressure on people,” Ross said. “It was a classic game.”
While the Spartans dismantled the then-No. 3 Auburn Mountainview Lions last week, Ross knew the trip to Peninsula wasn’t going to be easy, by any means.
“They’re the defending champs,” Ross said. “They play like us. They’re tough, they’re solid, they’re well coached. I knew all week it was going to be exactly like this. It was a little closer than I wanted, but this is exactly what I expected. I let my team have it at halftime because I think they might have expected something different, but I certainly didn’t.”
While the missed PAT was disappointing for the Seahawks, Peninsula coach Ross Filkins said the game comes down to more than one play.
“There were a lot of things in between that we could’ve done to not put ourselves in that position,” Filkins said. “We’re never going to evaluate a full game on one play.”
Sumner had a big day on the ground. Star junior running back Connor Wedington rushed for 129 yards on 18 carries, including a pivotal 50-yard score early in the third quarter. Not to be outdone, senior Josh Riley also passed the century mark, going for 101 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries.
In a four week span, Sumner will have played Auburn Mountainview, Peninsula, Auburn and Lakes — all teams, with the exception of Auburn, that are, or have been ranked in the top 10 in various state polls. With wins over Auburn Mountainview and Peninsula, the Spartans are halfway there.
“We call this month ‘Murderer’s Row,’ ” Ross said. “These four games are going to decide who gets the top two (playoff) spots.”
4A SPSL SOUTH
Puyallup 40, Curtis 37, OT: Some comeback.
Zach Munizza connected on the game-winning 29-yard field goal in overtime as Puyallup (2-3; 2-1 4A SPSL South) scored 24 unanswered points to stun Curtis and win its second consecutive game.
Curtis (3-2; 1-2) was ranked as high as No. 7 in The News Tribune’s 4A state rankings before last week’s loss to No. 4 Curtis.
Then this week.
Puyallup had a chance to win the game with 47 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter when Munizza lined up to make the would be game-winner, but Curtis jumped the snap and blocked the kick, sending the game into overtime.
After a Curtis three-and-out on its first OT possession, Munizza was called again, from 29 yards, got his kick off and sent it through the uprights.
Puyallup quarterback Nathaniel Holcomb was 18 of 27 passing for 221 yards with three touchdowns and one interception in the comeback win.
Curtis took a 37-16 lead in the third quarter on Donnell Diego’s second touchdown run of the game.
4A SPSL NORTHEAST
Kent-Meridian 21, Kentridge 7: Ben Woods was 17 of 23 passing for 320 yards and had two touchdown passes to lead the Royals to their second consecutive victory.
Woods also had 42 rushing yards for Kent-Meridian (3-2; 2-0 4A SPSL Northeast). Receiver Emmanuel Daigbe had three catches for 70 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown catch.
Kentridge (1-4; 0-2) had 190 total rushing yards, with Malik McFerrin gaining 99 yards on 17 carries.
3A SPSL
Auburn 49, Enumclaw 37: The Trojans offensive consistency proved to be too much for the Hornets as Auburn won the high scoring shootout.
Auburn senior quaterback Justin Ioimo rushed for two touchdowns and also threw for one.
Auburn (2-3; 2-1 3A SPSL) has now won two games in a row after losing their first three to start the season.
Staff writer Ryan Chambers contributed to this report
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