High school football roundup: Graham-Kapowsin wins 4A SPSL thriller over Emerald Ridge
Results, recaps and more from Week 8 high school football contests around the South Sound will be posted on this page Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Find Week 8 scores from games across Washington on our statewide scoring sheet, which will be updated live throughout the weekend.
SATURDAY’S RESULTS (OCT. 21)
GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN 41, EMERALD RIDGE 35
Graham-Kapowsin’s offense piled up 400-plus yards of offense and six touchdowns, the defense made three consecutive stops at the 10-yard line in the final 15 seconds, and the Eagles remained undefeated and atop the 4A SPSL standings with a win over Emerald Ridge in a 41-35 thriller Saturday night.
The Eagles took the game’s final lead with 4:28 to play on a 24-yard pass from Daveon Superales to Jabez Woods, giving them what turned out to be the decisive six-point lead in front of a packed Sparks Stadium in Puyallup.
Emerald Ridge responded by driving up the field on 11 plays to set up first-and-goal at the Eagles’ 10 with 15 seconds to play, but Graham-Kapowsin’s defense forced three consecutive incompletions — including breaking up the Jaguars’ final pass over the middle in the end zone as time expired — to close out the victory.
“I knew our defense has heart,” Superales said. “We have heart. Everybody on that team is a scrappy, physical player and they’re going to get it done. I had 100 percent faith in my defense that they were going to stop them in the red zone.”
“For us to get really three-to-four plays down there where they’re taking shots at the end zone and all of our kids make plays, that speaks volumes to growth,” Graham-Kapowsin coach Jeff Logan said. “ ... That’s a big stepping stone for us to be able to win a game without our offense on the field. That’s huge.”
Graham-Kapowsin improves to 8-0 with the win, and clinches the league’s top seed and at least a share of the 4A SPSL title with one regular season game to play.
But, it was Emerald Ridge (6-2) that led much of the way before the Eagles scored the game-winner late in the fourth.
The Jaguars’ defense forced a pair of punts from Graham-Kapowsin in the first quarter, and Emerald Ridge’s offense scored on each of its first two drives to take an early 14-0 lead.
On the Jaguars’ second offensive play, quarterback Jake Schakel tossed a quick slant to Kajon Babcock, who bounced off two Eagles defenders and sprinted to the end zone for an 84-yard touchdown.
Five minutes later, Emerald Ridge extended the lead to two scores on a 1-yard run by Navarre Dixon, set up by a 44-yard completion from Schakel to Tony Harste.
Graham-Kapowsin got on the board in the first minute of the second quarter, when Superales tossed a long pass downfield on the run, which deflected off a Jaguars defender and into the arms of Woods, who turned and carried the ball across the goal line for a 62-yard score.
The Eagles evened the game for the first time midway through the quarter when Superales connected with Malachi Durant on a 32-yard scoring pass.
“Once we got going we never stopped,” Superales said. “Our foot on the gas pedal for the whole game. That just shows how resilient our offense is. We’re down 14-0, we know we’ve got to make some plays, and that’s what we did.”
Schakel responded on the ensuing drive with a toss over the middle to Harste for a 37-yard touchdown. But, three plays later, Superales cut through the defense for a 62-yard touchdown run on third down to again tie the game up with 2:10 left in the half.
Eagles cornerback Mika Roberson intercepted a pass down the sideline on Emerald Ridge’s next drive, but Graham-Kapowsin couldn’t capitalize, with the Eagles’ final throw of the half into falling incomplete in the end zone, and the two programs entered the half locked at 21-21.
Emerald Ridge regained the lead on the opening possession of the second half, completing an 11-play drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass from Schakel to Malaki Harris. Graham-Kapowsin answered seven plays later on a 6-yard scoring run from Superales to even the score again.
After forcing a quick punt on the Jaguars’ ensuing drive, the Eagles took their first lead with 9:15 to play in the fourth on a 3-yard touchdown pass from Superales to Durant.
The Jaguars needed only two plays to tie the score for the fourth and final time on a 64-yard scoring pass from Schakel to Harris to make it 35-35 with 8:20 left.
The two programs exchanged fumbles on the next two drives — Dixon recovered one for Emerald Ridge near midfield, then Graham-Kapowsin’s Samu Palaita recovered a Jaguars fumble on the next play — before the Eagles’ decisive scoring drive.
Superales finished 19-of-24 passing for 256 yards and four touchdowns, and added another 138 yards and two scores on 20 carries. Woods paced the Eagles in receiving with 10 catches for 171 yards and the two scores, while Durant had three catches for 42 yards and two touchdowns.
Schakel was 22-of-33 for 343 yards and four touchdowns for the Jaguars. Dixon had 16 carries for 113 yards and the one touchdown to lead the Jaguars in rushing.
Harste led Emerald Ridge with five catches for 118 yards and a touchdown, Babcock added five catches for 99 yards and a score and Harris had five catches for 94 yards and the two touchdowns. Emerald Ridge was without starting receiver and safety Gio Kafentzis (foot), who was injured during last week’s win at Bellarmine Prep.
The Eagles are now 16-1 in the all-time series against the Jaguars, and have an active eight-game winning streak in the series. Emerald Ridge’s one win against Graham-Kapowsin was in 2014.
Graham-Kapowsin is also now one win away from securing the program’s second 9-0 run through the 4A SPSL in the past three seasons. The Eagles host Bethel (4-4) in the regular season finale for both teams Friday night.
Emerald Ridge plays crosstown rival Rogers (0-8) on Friday in another 4A SPSL finale.
Graham-Kapowsin and Emerald Ridge — both 4A state semifinals teams last fall — have already secured return trips to the district playoffs in Week 10.
FRIDAY’S RESULTS (OCT. 20)
LINCOLN 28, LAKES 20 (OT)
With such tradition on their side, the Lakes Lancers weren’t about to go gently into the night. But a depleted group of Lancers still couldn’t quite keep their postseason hopes alive Friday night in Lakewood.
Lincoln beat the host Lancers, 28-20, in overtime at Harry E. Lang Stadium to clinch second place in the 3A PCL behind league-leading Mount Tahoma, eliminating the Lancers from playoff consideration and completing a district playoff-clinching weekend for Bonney Lake in the process.
The Panthers beat Stadium, 44-20, on Thursday to set up a scenario where a Lakes loss put Bonney Lake in the Week 10 playoffs. Three 3A PCL teams (Mount Tahoma, Lincoln, Bonney Lake) advance.
“An extra point away,” Lakes coach Dave Miller said.
Down by 14 as the second half began, the Lancers came back to tie the game twice, at 14-14 and at 20-20. The second came with 22 seconds left and Lakes had an extra point to take the lead.
It sailed wide and the game went into OT.
In the extra frame, Lincoln running back Maurice Gosby caught a pass for 13 yards and ran for 17 yards, including the 4-yard touchdown run that proved the winner. The Lancers (4-4 overall, 2-3 3A PCL) had a fourth-and-6 from the 21 to keep the game alive but a pass fell incomplete.
“We weren’t trying to make it exciting,” Lincoln coach Masaki Matsumoto said. “But our team is so young. It may be good that they went through this, overcame it.”
The loss was the third in league for Lakes, which will not appear in the state playoffs for the first time since 2014. It is only the second time since 1996 that the Lancers have not advanced past the regular season.
The Abes (5-3, 4-1) led it 14-0 at the half thanks to a strong passing performance from Sione Kaho, who completed 13-of-17 passes for 209 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He finished with 245 yards on 16-of-23 passing.
Lakes managed just 55 yards of total offense in the first half, and 43 of those came on a single play when Exavier McChristian connected down the left sideline with brother E’Lijiah McChristian on a third-and-17 from their own 18-yard line.
But things changed in the second half as Lakes tried to keep its postseason hopes alive. Gosby was having none of it. The junior finished the game with 20 carries for 189 yards and the final two Lincoln touchdowns.
MOUNT TAHOMA 54, SILAS 0
Mount Tahoma is the 3A PCL’s top dog for the first time since 1982.
A third straight blowout of league opponents kept the T-Birds undefeated on Friday night — and already in possession of a tiebreaker over one-loss Lincoln — guaranteed Mount Tahoma the league’s top spot with one game to play in the regular season.
“It’s what our goal was coming into the season,” T-Birds head coach Keith Terry said. “For the school, our community, the program, it’s a huge honor. We’re all happy to be able to bring that to community, and be a part of that.
“To be able to accomplish that goal, it means a lot for not only myself, but the staff and the kids. We’re all really excited.”
What impressed Terry most in Friday night’s 54-0 blowout, their biggest margin of victory this year?
“Our ability to lock in to the moment,” he said. “Not overlooking an opponent… coming out and doing what we were supposed to do.”
YELM 59, PENINSULA 9
Brayden Platt erupted for three rushing touchdowns, and Yelm smashed Peninsula in the penultimate week of 3A SSC action.
Yelm’s feature-back scored thrice in the first half, erupting for 123 rushing yards on seven carries. His 40-yard score shortly before intermission gave the Tornados a 35-point lead.
Against a perennially-strong Peninsula program, Yelm’s defense tallied six sacks and eight tackles for loss. The Seahawks mustered only 29 total offensive yards before Yelm pulled its defensive starters.
Platt rumbled for a 44-yard touchdown that opened scoring, and again from 21 yards in the first quarter.
Yelm QB Damian Aalona completed 9-of-13 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns.
Leading receiver Marius Aalona secured two receptions for 54 yards, including a 50-yard splash play that went for a touchdown in the first quarter.
Peninsula drilled a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter, and Seahawks RB Landon Watson added a 27-yard touchdown run in the fourth.
Yelm’s Jordan Lasher and JaKobe DeLima grabbed interceptions.
The reigning 3A state champion Tornados can secure an undefeated campaign and 3A SSC title with a victory over Gig Harbor next week.
AUBURN RIVERSIDE 32, AUBURN MOUNTAINVIEW 12
Ahead by one point at halftime, Auburn Riverside’s defense posted a second-half shutout — all but guaranteeing a victory over rival-Auburn Mountainview in Friday’s annual crosstown matchup.
Ravens RB Thyrou Umi-Tuato’o exploded for 199 yards and three touchdowns, the leading rusher who handled 21 of 44 total Auburn Riverside carries. RB Kyree Wright logged 16 totes for 90 yards.
A sloppy game through the air (five combined interceptions) forced Friday’s game to the ground, where the Ravens feasted. Auburn Riverside totaled 303 rushing yards; Auburn Mountainview mustered 146 total yards of offense and nine rushing yards.
It sets up a thrilling regular-season finale between the 3A NPSL’s two unbeatens next weekend at Auburn High School. The Ravens (5-0) meet Auburn (5-0) in another crosstown-rivalry with a league title at stake.
Auburn Mountainview WR John Wanlemvo paced all wideouts with 95 receiving yards (four receptions).
THURSDAY’S RESULTS (OCT. 19)
AUBURN 44, TODD BEAMER 33
Visitors 1, Home Teams 0.
Auburn’s Trojans invaded the newly renovated Federal Way Memorial Field to play host Todd Beamer in the first football game played at the revamped facility, and the Trojans made the most of their opportunity.
Auburn scored touchdowns on three of its first four possessions and coasted to a 44-33 victory Thursday to improve to 5-0 in 3A NPSL contests.
“That was fun,” Auburn coach Aaron Chantler said. “It’s a beautiful facility. And it’s nice that at least one of the Federal Way schools finally gets to have a home game.”
Auburn (7-1) maximized each of those scores with two-point conversions that staked the Trojans to a 24-7 lead with nine minutes, 53 seconds to go in the first half. It was 30-13 by the break.
Both teams took advantage of short fields. Three of the five first half turnovers, and a turnover on downs, led to touchdowns.
The Trojans scored on drives of 33, 27 and 9 yards. The Titans (3-5) finally got on the board following a fumble from Auburn on a punt return that led to a one-play, 26-yard drive when Abdala Shaban caught a ball from Dominic Simpson and touched the front right pylon for the score with 4:38 to go in the first quarter.
Later, trailing 30-7 and with Auburn again driving, Sekou Bangoura jumped a route and intercepted a D.J. Bielza pass. With nothing but new turf in front of him, Bangoura raced 51 yards for the pick-six that closed the gap to 30-13 with 2:09 to play in the second quarter.
Bielza became the answer to a future trivia question. His eight-yard run to culminate the Trojans game-opening 65-yard drive gave the Auburn quarterback the distinction of scoring the first touchdown in the new stadium.
It was one of two scores for which Bielza was responsible, along with two 2-point conversion runs he had. The Trojans signal caller threw for 137 yards, a touchdown and threw an interception as he completed 14 of 24 passes. He also ran for 148 total yards on 19 carries.
“It’s all about the team,” Bielza said. “I’m happy for whatever I get.”
BONNEY LAKE 44, STADIUM 20
Longtime coach Jason Silbaugh, now in his 12th season leading the Bonney Lake football program, said back in August he believed this could be one of the better teams the Panthers have had.
Eight weeks later, this Bonney Lake group has all but clinched the program’s first trip to the playoffs since back-to-back appearances in the 3A state quarterfinals in 2015 and 2016.
The Panthers scored early and often Thursday night at Stadium Bowl in Tacoma in a 3A PCL contest against the Panthers, never trailed on their way to a 44-20 win, and now have a postseason spot in view.
“They’ve been building for this for this year, and they knew how important this game was,” Silbaugh said. “ … At school they were locked in, when they showed up they were locked in. They just played great in all phases of the game.”
Bonney Lake scored on the second play of the game on a 62-yard keeper from quarterback Brayden Palmer, and led the rest of the way.
Palmer added a 20-yard scoring run and 55-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Lloyd to make it 23-0 early in the second quarter before Stadium got on the board.
The Tigers capitalized on their only red zone opportunity in the first half midway through the second quarter, when Kooper Tasler connected with Darius Sum on a 7-yard touchdown three plays after Stadium stopped the Panthers short on a fake punt attempt.
Bonney Lake added two more scores before the half though, on a recovered Tigers fumble in the end zone and a 56-yard pass from Palmer to Lloyd, to take a 37-7 lead into the break.
Stadium scored a pair of third quarter touchdowns on the first two possessions of the half — on a 9-yard pass from Tasler to Diego Cabrera, and 5-yard run from Darius Sum 10 plays after the Tigers recovered an onside kick attempt — to cut the lead as close as 37-20.
But the Panthers responded with a 3-yard scoring run from Kyler Gillette in the fourth to extend the lead to 24.
“All week we were talking like, this gives us playoff hope,” Palmer said. “So, we were working hard. Guys stepped up when others needed help. At the end we got a team win.”
Bonney Lake (5-3) remains in third place in the 3A PCL standings behind league-leading Mount Tahoma and perennial state power Lincoln with one week to go in the regular season.
With Thursday night’s win, the Panthers can officially secure one of the league’s three postseason allocations if Lincoln beats Lakes on Friday night. If Lakes wins that contest, the Panthers can still clinch a playoff trip by adding another victory in their regular season finale next week, or again with a Lancers loss.
The Panthers hold the tiebreaker over Lakes following a 29-26 road win over the Lancers back in Week 3.
“Mindset going into this game was like win or go home,” Palmer said. “It gives us hope.”
“I think we’re in a good spot,” Silbaugh said. “We’ve had some tough games. We’ve battled through some adversity. We have great senior leaders, and these kids will be ready for the moment.”
Bonney Lake hosts Silas next Thursday to wrap up 3A PCL play and the regular season, while Stadium (4-4) hosts Evergreen of Seattle in a nonleague contest next Friday.
ENUMCLAW 63, CLOVER PARK 0
Enumclaw’s eighth straight win and fourth shutout in six games was dominated on the ground, fueled by six rushing touchdowns and 235 total rushing yards.
Five Hornets scored at least one rushing touchdown — RB Tristan Donovan paced the team with two — and Enumclaw secured the 2A SPSL’s top postseason spot with Thursday’s 63-point rout of Clover Park.
One game remains in the regular season, but undefeated Enumclaw holds a crucial tiebreaker over one-loss Orting thanks to a 37-7 win over the Cardinals on Sept. 22.
Enumclaw has allowed just 40 points all season — and on Thursday, one of the state’s premier defenses was again elite. The Hornets forced two turnovers, including a scoop-and-score fumble recovery by LB Colton Paulson that the junior returned 20 yards for a third quarter touchdown.
“We’re a stingy group,” Enumclaw coach Mark Gunderson said. “We want to make teams earn everything that they get. Kids buy into that philosophy across the board… and it produces a pretty good result.”
Clover Park mustered 84 total yards (76 passing, 8 rushing), and averaged less than 2 yards per offensive play. Enumclaw averaged over 14 yards per play.
Hornets QB Gunnar Trachte completed 5-of-7 passes for 90 yards and two touchdowns, adding a third score on the ground from 27 yards.
“It’s easy to look at scores … but our kids focus in all three phases,” Gunderson said. “Credit to our staff and kids for being locked on, and treating this game like it is the biggest game of season.”
Up next — a rivalry game with White River that concludes Enumclaw’s regular season on Oct. 27. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
This story was originally published October 19, 2023 at 11:21 PM.
