SPSL 4A | Bronson runs wild to lead Kentwood

KENT — Demitrius Bronson spells trouble for any Kentwood High School opponent.

No matter how they spell his name.

Bronson, who acknowledged Friday night his first name has been misspelled "Demetrius" throughout his high-school career (including in the Kentwood game programs), recorded his third consecutive 200-yard rushing game in leading the Conquerors to a 24-14 victory over rival Kentridge in a key South Puget Sound League 4A North Division game at French Field.

Bronson finished with 215 yards on 31 carries and scored two touchdowns, including a 75-yarder that set the tone in the first half. He shrugged off tacklers the way he shrugged off the misspelling, which he never pointed out to his coaches.

"It didn't bother me too much; it's spelled two ways," said Bronson, who has committed to Washington. "I just took the 'e' for what it was. I knew you guys weren't doing it on purpose."

Bronson and his offensive line played with purpose against a Kentridge team that loaded eight to nine defenders in the box trying to contain him.

"I guess we're used to seeing eight in the box," Bronson said as Kentwood improved to 3-1, 2-0 in division play. "Sometimes it gets frustrating. But every time I go out there, I tell them [his linemen], 'I trust you guys and you guys have just got to trust me.' "

Kentwood coach Rex Norris praised the line, which took its lumps last year as a young group, and called this "one of my proudest wins."

Kentridge (2-2, 1-1) continued to struggled with its new spread offense. Quarterback Brandon Turner completed only two of his first 14 passes for nine yards and finished 4 for 18 for 23 yards. He rushed for 95 yards on 21 carries and scored one TD. .

Bronson's 3-yard TD burst with 9:56 left in the game gave Kentwood a 24-7 lead and that's when Kentridge's lack of a passing game really hurt. The Chargers used a 15-play drive that ate up nearly 8 ½ minutes for their final touchdown.

"We just made them run the football," Norris said.

Other games

At Tahoma 42, Jefferson 26

Josiah Anderson rushed for two fourth-quarter touchdowns, helping the Bears (2-2, 1-1) hold off the Raiders (0-4, 0-2).

Kurt LaFranchi rushed for 178 yards on 21 carries for Tahoma, including a 10-yard touchdown run. Anderson rushed for 95 yards on 18 carries, including scores from 2 and 8 yards in the fourth quarter.

Taylor Stark rushed for and threw for a touchdown for Thomas Jefferson.

Federal Way 35, Kent-Meridian 12

At Federal Way Stadium, Andre Barrington hurt the Royals both running and catching, helping the Eagles (2-1, 2-0) remain tied atop the league standings.

Barrington rushed for 106 yards on 18 carries with three touchdowns, and caught two passes for 80 yards, including a 70-yard score. Justin Southern completed 11 of 17 passes for 251 yards for Federal Way.

Jesse Earle had a 1-yard touchdown run and a 20-yard scoring reception for Kent Meridian (2-2, 1-1).

Graham-Kapowsin 24, at Curtis 21

Ryan Johnson made a 27-yard field goal with 16 seconds left to send the Eagles (3-1, 1-0) past the Vikings (1-3, 0-2).

Graham-Kapowsin survived three touchdowns passes by Curtis' Chad Rasmussen, including 75- and 74-yarders to Stan Langlow.

Marcel Smith had 230 yards on 30 carries, including scores of 54 and 57 yards for Graham-Kapowsin.

Emerald Ridge 35, Spanaway Lake 34

At Sparks Stadium in Puyallup, the Jaguars (4-0, 2-0) won in overtime over the Sentinels (1-2, 0-1).

Spanaway Lake opened the overtime with a 1-yard touchdown run by Danny Pilcher, but missed the extra point. Emerald Ridge won when Sean Halligan followed Gabe Weber's 10-yard touchdown run with an extra point.

Pilcher completed 11 of 17 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns.

Joey Williamson caught four passes for 55 yards and two TDs for Emerald Ridge, including a 24-yarder with 4:15 left that sent the game into overtime.