Results, recaps and more from Week 3 high school football contests around the South Sound will be posted on this page on Thursday night. Looking for more scores? Find them on our statewide scoreboard here.
Graham-Kapowsin 14, Emerald Ridge 0
The Eagles weren't their high-flying selves Thursday night at Art Crate Field, but it didn't matter as they did enough to win against a stout Jaguars defense.
After scoring at least 31 points in their first two games of the season, the Eagles attack was slowed at times but running back Blake Pearson picked up the slack rushing for 145 yards on 25 carries with a touchdown.
"He made a lot happen for us tonight, sometimes by himself and sometimes it was a bit easier because of the blocking," Graham-Kapowsin coach Jeff Logan said. "He is a physical runner and that is what we always talk about offensively - we need a guy who will run through contact. He is built for what we do and he is a tough, tough kid. And you saw that tonight."
Pearson scored on a 6-yard run and then caught a two-point conversion attempt from quarterback AJ Tuivaiave to cap the scoring. Tuivaiave ran for the other touchdown, scoring from 3 yards on their opening drive.
"Emerald Ridge had a good gameplan and they executed well," Logan said, "but at the end of the day, it is a team win and I'm proud of our kids. In blowouts, starters don't get to play deep into games - so in a defacto way, close games helps with conditioning and mental fortitude, especially for a young football team.
"You always want to play better, but we take away the fact that we ground it out and pulled it out when we were tired and sore and beat up - and that is what they ended up doing."
Tuivaiave finished 16-of-24 for 155 yards passing with no touchdowns or interceptions for Graham-Kapowsin (3-0). Jayce Halasz had six receptions for 68 yards, while Julius Hernandez-Avila led the defensive effort with four tackles and a sack. Adrien Tela also recovered a fumble.
The Jaguars (1-2) were without starting quarterback Brayden Paulino, who was injured in last week's loss to Bethel.
Steilacoom 39, Washington 0
The Sentinels entered Week 3 with one goal in mind: finish drives.
Having not punted in their first two games of the season, Steilacoom was moving the ball well but had only scored 38 points in two games.
That script got flipped Thursday in a 2A SPSL shutout of the Patriots.
"It felt like we broke that barrier tonight," said coach Kyle Haller of his team scoring five touchdowns. "We've been moving the ball consistently but were stalling in the red zone."
As far as scoring was concerned, it was a balanced attack Thursday, as Titus Kaeka connected with Jason Freeland (39 yards), Evan Dipetrillo (20) and Jaleo Johnson-Gonzalez (14) for touchdowns, while Noah Maxwell and Justin Chang each scored on the ground. Johnson-Gonzalez also caught a 20-yard touchdown pass from Kennan Ogilvie in the fourth quarter.
"I still think we need to get our rushing game going a little more," Haller said. "I don't think it is a secret that we are a pass-first team at this point, but we have to keep working on our rushing attack and get better."
On the defensive side of the ball, the Sentinels continued their strong play this season, pitching their second shutout. They have given up just one offensive touchdown through three games.
"I'm very happy with the way our defense is playing," Haller said. "We have some tough tests coming in the next few weeks, but we think we are up for the challenge and we are ready."
Enumclaw 70, Kentlake 0
The Hornets had absolutely no problems with their opponent Thursday, rolling past the Falcons with ease in 3A NSPL play and setting up a showdown with Federal Way next week.
While Enumclaw earned its second consecutive 70-plus point win of the season, Thursday was more about the Hornets getting repetitions and trying to improve against an overmatched opponent.
"You don't want to rub anyone's face in it, but we are trying to play to a standard where our kids don't take the foot off the gas," Enumclaw coach Mark Gunderson said. "I think they did a good job of that tonight even though the score was lopsided."
Cole Chiechi carried the ball 10 times for 125 yards and three touchdowns and quarterback Gavin Trachte was 7-of-14 for 230 yards with four touchdowns and one interception. Kage Kuro had two receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown and Kolt Kuzaro had two receptions for 39 yards and a score.
Enumclaw shut out Todd Beamer 75-0 in Week 2 and the Hornets defense has allowed just 14 points through three games.
"There were some penalties and a few missed tackles that sustained their drives," Gunderson said. "We definitely did not play perfect tonight, even though we shut them out. But it was a pretty good performance all around."