Lakes Lancers were strewn across the Tacoma Dome turf.

Some slumped over on the field, others lay flat on their backs on the sideline, knees bent and hands covering helmets.

All of them were stunned.

Liberty kicker Dean Byron slipped a 42-yard field goal just inside the left upright as time expired, lifting the third-ranked Patriots to a 17-14 win over No. 2 Lakes in the Class 3A state semifinals Friday afternoon at the Tacoma Dome.

“To end this way is a bitter pill for all of us to swallow,” said Lakes coach Dave Miller, who watched his team’s season end in the semifinals for the second year in a row. “Tough way to end it for this team.”

Liberty (12-1) advances to play No. 1 Bellevue (11-2) in the final next Saturday.

The Lancers (12-1) plowed to a 14-0 lead entering the fourth quarter, but the Patriots were unfazed. Liberty had come from behind to win each of its playoff games this season, and the semifinal was no different.

Receiver Jake Bainton’s 54-yard catch on the last play of the third quarter put the Patriots in Lakes territory for only the second time of the game. Four plays later, Bainton hauled in an 11-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Trey Wheeler, cutting the Lancers’ lead in half, 14-7, with 10 minutes, 38 seconds left to play.

“They got the momentum and, boy, it was hard for us to get it back,” Miller said. “Our team kind of changed mentally at one point in the game and it went downhill.”

After the Lancers went three-and-out, Wheeler hit running back Chandler Jenkins for a 57-yard touchdown on first down, tying the score with 8:16 remaining and deflating the Lancers.

“You needed momentum plays,” Patriots coach Steve Valach said. “That was a big one.”

Lakes punted again, and Liberty took advantage of good field position, getting a first-and-goal at the Lancers’ 5-yard line. Lakes’ defense stood firm, and cornerback Dee Maggitt tipped away a would-be touchdown on third down. That brought on Byron for a 21-yard field goal attempt. Lakes senior Jamaal Kearse swung momentum back in the Lancers’ favor by charging off the end and blocking the kick.

But Lakes’ offense couldn’t find a rhythm and was forced to punt, giving Liberty a first down at the Lancers’ 47 with 2:43 remaining. The Patriots needed 10 plays to advance 22 yards, where Byron lined up for his game-winning 42-yard kick with 1 second left on the clock.

“We did everything we could,” Miller said. “We iced him with our last timeout. We went out and had our block on. The kid made a great kick.”

Lakes played without All-American defensive tackle Sione Potoa’e, who was serving a one-game suspension after being ejected in the quarterfinals. To make up for his absence and account for the Patriots’ penchant for passing, the Lancers’ employed a rarely used 3-4 defensive scheme.

Wheeler threw for 267 yards and connected on the two long passes to Bainton and Jenkins, but never got into a rhythm. He completed 17 of 32 passes and was intercepted twice by Maggitt. Most of the game, the senior was tasked with covering Bainton, Liberty’s top receiver, and Maggitt performed fabulously.

“Dee played great,” Miller said. “Dee, I think, proved that he’s a big-time corner at the next level.”

Maggitt returned both interceptions into the red zone and Lakes scored touchdowns on each possession. Running back Teddy Cotton plunged into the end zone from the 1 on both drives.

With leading rusher Willis Wilson out for nearly the final three quarters with an ankle injury, and fullback Jordan Rivera suffering from a dinged shoulder, Cotton shouldered the load against Liberty. Lakes was held well below its average of 302 rushing yards per game, finishing with 164 yards in 45 carries.

Cotton led Lakes with 84 yards on 19 carries. He’ll likely remember most the yard he didn’t get.

Liberty stuffed the Lancers twice on the 1-yard line. They held Rivera on third down and then stopped Cotton on fourth-and-goal late in the second quarter when the Lancers led 7-0.

Lakes kicker Spencer Rodriguez missed a 27-yard field goal attempt on the first possession of the game, adding to the Lancers’ frustration.

“Lot of missed opportunities,” Miller said. “Lot of chances to get ahead. That’s the difference in ball games like this.”