State semifinals takeaways: Sumner shocks Puyallup; Mount Tahoma writes history
Week 13 (state tournament semifinals) of the Washington high school football season is in the books. TNT high school sports reporters Jon Manley and Tyler Wicke discuss what stood out from this week’s action.
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM THE STATE SEMIFINAL ROUND?
Manley: Down goes No. 1. What a show from Sumner running back Lance McGee and the Spartans on Saturday afternoon at Sparks Stadium in a 42-35 upset over top-seeded Puyallup. I have seen teams split a season series before, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a team lose as badly as Sumner did to Puyallup in the regular season, then turn around and win the rematch. I think sometimes we can get too locked into what we see early in the season and need to be reminded it’s a long season. Clearly, that wasn’t the same Sumner team that lost to Puyallup in early October. Credit to Keith Ross and the Spartans, who return to Husky Stadium. Can they go back-to-back?
Wicke: Sumner RB Lance McGee recently told me the Spartans had a rematch with Puyallup set in their sights weeks ago. He stood near midfield with a smile after taking down Glacier Peak in the 4A quarterfinals, sharing hugs and taking photos with family members and friends, like Sumner always does. It was assumed Puyallup would come next on their schedule, setting up another Valley showdown with the No. 1 Vikings that beat them by 36 points on Oct. 4. McGee was selective with his words, but confident: “All I’m going to say: We’re ready. It’s not going to be the same team as last time.” In hindsight, the star rusher — perhaps the best in the state — called his shot to perfection. McGee erupted for 313 yards and five touchdowns on 38 carries to stun tournament-favorite Puyallup and the rest of the South Sound in Saturday’s semifinals, 42-35, lifting the defending champions back into the title game. Sumner is 8-0 since that blowout loss in early October, a testament to head coach Keith Ross and his staff’s ability to turn the ship around.
WHICH SEMIFINAL WIN WAS THE MOST IMPRESSIVE?
Manley: Sumner’s, undoubtedly, given the stakes, the valley rivalry and the dominant fashion in which Puyallup had beaten everyone on its schedule this season. I’ll go another direction though: how about Tumwater’s 42-0 blowout over East Valley of Yakima, which came into the game undefeated. The Red Devils have a nearly 3,000-yard passer in senior Jaxon Berg and a legit perimeter threat in Montana State commit Braden Albrecht. Willie Garrow’s T-Birds squad gave them nothing. I’m impressed with what Tumwater has been able to accomplish on defense in the postseason.
Wicke: I won’t overthink this one. It’s Sumner. Archrival Puyallup, the 4A tournament’s clear-cut favorite, had won 11 straight games by at least 29 points, including their 58-22 win over these Spartans less than two months ago. That said, Tacoma has a team in the state championship game, too. Mount Tahoma stomped Eastside Catholic, 21-6, in Saturday’s 3A semifinals in what had to be their best defensive effort this fall. The perennially-great Crusaders offense had no answers at George Nordi Field, failing to establish the run game and forced into passing situations that allowed the T-Birds pass rush to feast. Mount Tahoma LB Shan Jones had two interceptions, Teaven Jones had three sacks, and Felix Diaz was everywhere — posting team-highs in rushing yards and tackles. It was the perfect playoff recipe for head coach Keith Terry: Run the ball, stop the run. The T-Birds enter their first state championship game since 1980. They earned it.
WHICH INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE STOOD OUT MOST IN THE SEMIFINAL ROUND?
Manley: It has to be Sumner’s Lance McGee, who piled up 313 yards and five touchdowns in the win over Puyallup on Saturday. The three-star recruit was unstoppable on the ground. It’s been fun to watch the total package of speed, vision and power he brings to the table.
Wicke: Sumner RB Lance McGee (38-313-5) is my MVP of state semifinal weekend, but I was wowed over and over watching Mount Tahoma’s Felix Diaz dominate on Saturday afternoon. The senior RB/LB took 12 carries for 64 yards and a touchdown in a 21-6 win over Eastside Catholic, along with seven tackles and a fumble recovery on defense. Diaz won multiple one-on-one, open-field tackles on the perimeter, and T-Birds LB Shan Jones stole two interceptions over the middle, stalling Crusaders drives and erasing momentum. I’m excited to see them match up with No. 1 O’Dea at Husky Stadium on Friday night.
WHICH CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IS MOST INTRIGUING?
Manley: I’m curious to see how Sumner’s defense matches up against Lake Stevens dual-threat quarterback Blake Moser. Lake Stevens needed a last-second touchdown to beat Sumner in the regular season meeting in Week 1, but that was Moser’s first start. He’s been one of the state’s most electric players this fall. On the flip side, I’d imagine Lance McGee will be able to pile up some yards against Lake Stevens’ defense. I’m most intrigued by Mount Tahoma’s game against O’Dea. It’ll be the state’s two best defenses in 3A going up against each other. Mount Tahoma will have its hands full against O’Dea’s elite defensive front, but the T-Birds have been dominant on defense, too.
Wicke: How about another rematch? Sumner meets Lake Stevens in Saturday night’s 4A championship game at Husky Stadium, their second bout this fall after the Vikings escaped with a last-gasp touchdown in their Week 1 thriller. Expect another bell-cow workload for RB Lance McGee, who handled 38 carries in the semifinals. If the Spartans go back-to-back, it’s because they found a way to stop Lake Stevens QB Blake Moser, a true dual-threat with 36 passing touchdowns and 10 more on the ground. Grab your popcorn.
This story was originally published December 1, 2025 at 1:27 PM.
