When Federal Way and Todd Beamer met last season, it was called the biggest game in the city’s history. The division title was on the line and even the mayor was on-hand for the coin toss.

The stakes weren’t as high this season, but the result was much more satisfying for the Titans as they won 16-6 over the Eagles on Friday.

The win was about more than clinching a playoff spot for Beamer. It was also their first win ever over Federal Way. They were 0-7 against them going into the game and had been outscored 263-103 in the series.

According to Beamer head coach Darren McKay, it also signifies the beginning of the rivalry.

“Last year when this game was for the division championship, we talked about how big it was for the community,” McKay said. “From our standpoint, we still didn’t call it a rivalry. Until you know you can get beat, I don’t think it’s a rivalry. Now we feel it’s a rivalry.”

Turnovers were a key part of the victory for the Titans. Federal Way moved the ball well in its first two drives, but it was their third offensive drive that may have been the turning point.

The first drive ended in a missed 36-yard field goal. The second saw a 25-yard run by Jovon Vongsaveng followed by a 35-yard touchdown pass from Ben Koler to Bobi Sims.

With the Titans offense still looking stagnant, the Eagles once again pushed down the field near the end of the first quarter. Koler attempted another deep pass to Sims, but this time Beamer’s Cameron Quinn was ready for it. He leaped in front of Sims for an interception.

The defense held for the rest of the half, but the Titans still trailed 6-0.

But just two plays into the second half, the Titans shifted the momentum in their favor with the second turnover of the night. Federal Way’s D’Jimon Jones fumbled while scrambling and the Titans dove on it at the Eagles 43-yard line.

Five minutes later, the Titans took the lead on a 1-yard run by Isaiah Lard.

“I think [the turnovers] were huge,” McKay said. “I think getting the fumble the second or third play of the second half was huge. It’s really like we got the ball both halves. We’ve done really well in the third quarter this year. I think we’ve only given up seven points the entire season. They saw something early on. They had us spread out, but we went out and got that fixed.”

Beamer added another touchdown in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard run by Lard to take a 14-6 lead.

The Titans would finish with 214 yards rushing. Lard accounted for 127 yards and two touchdowns. He has taken on much of the load with Andrew Tofaeono suffering from a foot injury.

For Federal Way, while things started out well, it was clear that Jones was shaking off some rust. He returned for his first game since injuring his foot against Camas on Sept. 12.

The Eagles used a two-quarterback system in the game to try to ease him back into rhythm, but that ended when Koler injured his thumb in the second quarter.

Jones showed much of the flash that he had prior to his injury that had Eagles’ fans excited, but the timing was not always there.

“D’Jimon was in a cast the last six weeks and we knew he was going to be shaking off a little bit of rust,” Federal Way head coach John Meagher said. “He was a little rusty tonight, but he gives a chance with his feet and some of the other things he can do.”

The lowest point of the game came late in the fourth quarter for the Eagles. On third down, backed up near their own goal line, Jones was chased out of the end zone for a safety by Beamer defensive end Christian Serrano.

“We just gotta execute better with our offense,” Meagher said. “I was proud of our defense. They played well, certainly in the first half. It was a hard fought game and they played well. We just didn’t get it done.”

Federal Way still has a chance to make the state playoffs, but the elimination games begin a week earlier for them. As the third seed in the South Puget Sound League Northwest, they will travel to Tahoma, the third seed in the Northeast division, in a loser-out game.

Their game will take place tonight at 7 p.m. at Maxwell Stadium. This is the second time Tahoma has been in this situation in the past two years. They defeated Thomas Jefferson 10-7 last season. The winner will be the fifth seed from the South Puget Sound League North for week 10 crossover games.

For Beamer, the situation is very familiar. They travel to face the Northeast division winner Kentwood in a seeding game.

“It’s the exact same thing as last year when we were the number two team and they were number one,” said McKay. “They lost their first game that they were ahead in for awhile and have run the table since.”

Kentwood lost their second game of the year when Kentlake defeated them 36-21 on Oct. 23. Previously, their only loss was in the first week of the season when they lost to Curtis 34-24.

Beamer and Kentwood will play at tonight at 7 p.m. at French Field. The Titans could earn the second seed from the South Puget Sound League North if they win and would be the fourth seed with a loss.

Todd Beamer players celebrate after scoring the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter of their 16-6 win against Federal Way on Friday, Oct. 23 at Federal Way Memorial Stadium. Terrence Hill, the Mirror