Week 9: What we learned from high school football games in the South Sound
Week 9 of the high school football season is in the books. TNT high school sports reporters Jon Manley and Tyler Wicke discuss what stood out.
BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM WEEK 9
Manley: I was curious to see how the 4A SPSL’s crossover games would shake out. The big winner? The North division, which went 4-0 in the “meaningful” games, either between playoff teams or with a playoff berth on the line. Sumner beat Graham-Kapowsin in the championship game, Puyallup beat Yelm in a 2v3 game, Emerald Ridge beat Olympia in the other 2v3 game and Curtis came away with a playoff spot, beating Bethel in the 4v4 game, 24-20. Sumner’s defense was once again dominant and will make Keith Ross’ team a legitimate state contender. Defense travels, and if Sumner’s offense can hit some explosive plays, the Spartans can win it all. Keith Ross said after the game that he’s perfectly content winning tight, low-scoring games in the playoffs. That might be the recipe.
Wicke: It’s playoff time, and it appears some of the South Sound’s contenders are peaking at the right time. The powerhouses in Sumner and Tumwater keep rolling, as does Franklin Pierce – but local challengers are on the rise, too. Puyallup toppled Yelm at home, 28-17, for its fourth straight win since sophomore QB Luke Parker stepped into the huddle. Mount Tahoma escaped Harry Lang Stadium with an overtime win over undefeated-Lakes in a thriller, 40-37, and enters the postseason on a similar four-game win streak. “Our motto is, ‘What’s going to break us?’ And it can’t be us,” T-Birds head coach Keith Terry said after the win, needing extra time to deny the Lancers’ 21-point comeback effort. “We’ve got to find a way to dig deep and get through. … We didn’t let (self-inflicted wounds) break us.” ... Lincoln’s on a similar rise, now winners of six straight with QB Sione Kaho and a defense that impressed through an undefeated run to the 3A PSL Narrows title. Opponents can’t plan solely on a big performance from Kaho’s arm – the Abes ran wild for 297 total rushing yards in last weekend’s road win at Peninsula, 32-21.
WHICH TEAMS IMPRESSED MOST?
Manley: Puyallup handled a good Yelm team in a 28-17 win. That’s Puyallup’s fourth win in a row and the most impressive win during that stretch. Puyallup is finally playing like the team we were expecting to see this season and that’s bad news for opponents in the postseason. Tell you what, I would hate to draw this team right now. They’re not going to be seeded super high because of their overall record, but they’re playing like one of the top 4A programs in the state right now.
Wicke: It was a true thriller last weekend at Harry Lang Stadium: Mount Tahoma’s big lead, Lakes’ improbable comeback, and the overtime touchdown that sent the T-Birds into a frenzy. Mount Tahoma wideout Elijah Durr caught the game-winning, 14-yard score that knocked off undefeated-Lakes and sent the T-Birds into the 3A playoffs with a significant momentum boost. Mount Tahoma raced to an early 27-6 lead in Lakewood — and if we see that version of the T-Birds in the playoffs, they’re going to be a tough out. Lakes erased the 21-point deficit in the second half and took a short-lived lead with an overtime field goal, but a valiant effort fell short when Durr cut inside double coverage for the game-winner. “I just knew I had to get that,” he said. “I had to have that drive and that mentality to finish the game. And that’s why it’s on my chest. No. 1 for a reason.” Mount Tahoma’s run game gashed Lakes early, including an 86-yard scamper by RB Jonny Comoza, and totaled 258 rush yards in the 40-37 win.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE STOOD OUT IN WEEK 9?
Manley: Give me Puyallup QB Luke Parker, who threw for 186 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 78 yards and another score on seven carries. His play is a major reason Puyallup is peaking in time for the playoffs. Also: Kentwood’s Antoine Lee capped off a school record-breaking season with 198 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries in a win over Kentridge. He’s now the school record holder with 25 TDs in a season, surpassing Richard Thomas, who held the record (22) since 1990.
Wicke: I’ll take Auburn WR Lucas Whitehall-Gilkes. With the city’s Fugate Trophy on the line, the junior wideout exploded for 17 receptions and 218 yards, adding three carries for 10 yards and the game-winning, four-yard touchdown run with under two minutes in regulation. Auburn’s 21-20 win over Auburn Riverside lifted the Trojans into the 4A playoffs; they’re off to Sumner for the Round of 32 this weekend.
WHICH PLAYOFF GAME ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO MOST IN WEEK 10?
Manley: The cool part about the new Round of 32 format is the potential for east vs. west matchups. There’s a pair I’m intrigued by this week: Richland at Yelm in 4A and Mount Spokane at Mount Tahoma in 3A. I’d expect some points in Yelm; Richland is averaging 35 points a game this season and Yelm is averaging 37. Since an 0-4 start, which included games against Spokane’s top teams (Gonzaga Prep, Mead and Central Valley), Mount Spokane has won five straight. Mount Tahoma’s season arc was similar; The T-Birds started 1-4 before winning four straight to end the season, including last week’s win over previously undefeated Lakes. I thought people were giving up too early on Mount Tahoma this year. Keith Terry is a good coach, and it wasn’t an accident the T-Birds advanced to the 3A state tournament quarterfinals last year.
Wicke: When Auburn walks into Sumner’s Sunset Stadium for the 4A Round of 32, I’m expecting one of the better high school environments you’ll find in the South Sound. Plan to arrive early — you won’t find many empty seats when these neighboring contenders kick off (their campuses sit just eight miles apart). Sumner’s elite defense, a raucous Spartans Marching Band, and fans spilled into standing room areas create a considerable home-field advantage; opponents averaged just 11 points per game at Sunset this regular season. Can Trojans QB Baylen Erdmann and the offense score enough points to stun a Spartans program considered one of the 4A favorites? … In Tacoma, I’m looking forward to Lincoln’s playoff opener with Rainier Beach on Friday night at Lincoln Bowl. The Abes surround QB Sione Kaho with a powerful, three-headed run game, save for the signal-caller’s ability to scramble when needed. Does Lincoln get back to state?
