The Federal Way football team got an early idea of what it’s going to take to compete in the South Puget Sound League South Division Friday night from Graham-Kapowsin.
Graham-Kapowsin, predicted to be one of the better teams in the South along with the state, buried the Eagles, 41-17, Friday night at Federal Way Memorial Stadium. The game was Federal Way’s first since moving from the SPSL North Division to the South.
Graham-Kapowsin used its experience and girth on the offensive and defensive lines to push around the young and inexperienced Eagles. Federal Way, who has played in the postseason the last four years, could only muster 154 yards of total offense Friday.
Graham-Kapowsin jumped out to a 14-0 lead before Federal Way senior quarterback Nick Tanielu hit Mike Tate for a 40-yard touchdown in the second quarter to cut the lead to 14-7.
But the Eagles’ defense couldn’t stop Graham-Kapowsin’s running game despite forcing four turnovers (two interceptions, two fumbles). Graham-Kapowsin’s Matt Dawley finished with 138 yards on 24 carries and scored three touchdowns.
Federal Way got a 29-yard field goal from sophomore Koby Craig in the third quarter and a 4-yard touchdown run by Blake Koler in the fourth quarter.
Federal Way will try to get its first victory of the season Thursday when they travel to Sparks Stadium to take on the Puyallup Vikings.
Puyallup blew out Spanaway Lake, 58-14, in their opener and got 391 yards passing and seven touchdowns from senior quarterback Erin Barber.
Graham-Kapowsin 41, Federal Way 17 (Friday)
G-Kapowsin 7 14 13 7 — 41
Federal Way 0 7 3 7 — 17
GK — Dalton Dorosky 14 pass from Drew Austin (Eric Nothstein kick)
GK — Matt Dawley 1 run (Nothstein kick)
FW — Mike Tate 40 pass from Nick Tanielu (Koby Craig kick)
GK — Dawley 1 run (Nothstein kick)
GK — Dawley 9 run (Nothstein kick)
GK — Josh Walden 8 run (kick failed)
FW — Koby Craig 29 field goal
GK — Mike Ramos 1 run (Nothstein kick)
FW — Blake Koler 4 run (Craig kick)
In other action:
Kennedy 41, Decatur 7: L.J. Jennings ran for 129 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Kennedy Catholic Lancers to the non-league win over the Gators at Highline Stadium Thursday. The game was the first for the Gators as a Class 3A school.
Kennedy jumped out to a quick 28-0 lead after the first quarter and extended the lead to 41-0 at halftime.
Decatur’s only touchdown came in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard run from Abraham Logan-Ferrell.
The Gators travel to Bremerton Friday night in another non-league contest. Decatur opens its SPSL 3A schedule on Oct. 1 against Enumclaw.
Kennedy Catholic 41, Decatur 7 (Thursday)
Decatur 0 0 0 7 — 7
Kennedy 28 13 0 0 — 41
Kenn — Chandler Breaux recovery in endzone (kick failed)
Kenn — Orion Prescott 12 run (Darian Brooks run)
Kenn — LJ Jennings 3 run (Nick Armitage kick)
Kenn — Jennings 56 run (Armitage kick)
Kenn — Darian Brooks 2 run (Armitage kick)
Kenn — Prescott 65 punt return (kick blocked)
Dec — Abraham Logan-Ferrell 1 run (Spencer Smith kick)
