Bronson burst lifts Kentwood over South Kitsap

KENT -- Demetrius Bronson insists he doesn't care about numbers, except for the one on the scoreboard.

"I don't care if I get the ball one time, if we win," the heralded Kentwood running back said.

The Conquerors of Covington did just that, holding off South Kitsap of Port Orchard on Thursday night at French Field for a 21-19 nonconference victory in their football season opener.

Bronson, who has committed to Washington, had only four carries for 43 yards in the first half as Kentwood clung to a 7-3 lead. But he finished with 163 on only 10 carries, thanks largely to his 68-yard touchdown burst with 3:06 left, as the Conquerors went up 21-12.

"My line wanted me to get in the end zone," Bronson said. "They said, 'This is your time, D.' "

The run came just after Danny Kondikoff's clutch tackle on SK's two-point conversion try that preserved a 14-12 lead. South Kitsap quarterback Chad Tester faked a handoff to workhorse Stephen Tucker, who finished with 199 yards on 33 carries, then tried to cut around the left side. Kondikoff hit him hard at the knees around the 6-yard line and Tester wound up 2 yards shy of the goal line.

"I had run coverage, and I just ran up and hit him," Kondikoff said.

The Conquerors proved they are more than a Demetrius Bronson show when Steven Warner broke a 65-yard TD run late in the first quarter. Quarterback Luke Angevine added a 28-yard touchdown burst in the third quarter on a fourth-and-four play. That came after Jordan Bredengard's 34-yard TD pass to Kondikoff on a trick play was called back on a penalty.

The Conquerors gave up more than 400 yards of offense, but coach Rex Norris said he was pleased overall with the play of his defense, which gave up considerable size.

Kentwood led 7-3 at halftime, and it could have been closer. Drew Klopfstein, who had kicked a 34-yard field goal earlier in the second period, missed as time expired. The Wolves did tack on another field goal early in the second quarter, a 24-yarder by Quincy Lyman that hit the crossbar and bounced over.

Other game

Bethel 35, Tigard, Ore., 34

At PGE Park in Portland, senior receiver Jeff English caught a pass for the tying touchdown with 13 seconds left, and the Braves added the winning extra extra-point kick for a comeback victory in the Les Schwab Kickoff Classic.

Tigard had built a 34-20 lead on five touchdowns by Oregon Duck recruit Scott Grady, but Bethel's Oliver Henry hit Donte Green with a fourth-quarter TD pass to narrow the gap before English's tying touchdown. Henry also threw to English for a TD in the second quarter.

In an early game, Westview of Beaverton, Ore., beat Skyview (Vancouver) 36-13. Skyview went 11-1 last year, losing in the Class 4A state quarterfinals.

Sandy Ringer: 206-718-1512 or sringer@seattletimes.com