SPSL 4A | Injuries can't stop Federal Way

FEDERAL WAY — Federal Way coach John Meagher has not ruled out the idea of encasing quarterback Justin Southern in bubble wrap next week.

Despite a lengthy list of injuries to key players, the Eagles rallied behind Southern's arm and legs to score 24 points in the second quarter and roll to a 38-13 South Puget Sound League 4A victory over Tahoma on Friday night.

The win sets up a North Division showdown for first place with Kentwood next Friday at French Field in Kent. Both teams are 4-1 overall, 3-0 in league games.

"We'll enjoy this one right now and start working toward them tomorrow," Meagher said.

The Eagles, already missing two running backs, lost their best rusher, Andre Barrington, Tuesday during practice with an ankle sprain. Barrington, with 10 touchdowns this season, had scored four each in Federal Way's last two games.

Southern, a 5-foot-11 senior, responded by completing 14 of 20 passes for 228 yards and rushing for 79 more to pace Federal Way's third consecutive win. He threw for two touchdowns and ran for another.

Meagher emphasized that he has yet to throw an interception in five games.

"He's been making great decisions all year," Meagher said, "and he was fantastic tonight."

After a lackluster, scoreless first quarter — the teams exchanged turnovers on the game's first two plays — Federal Way scored on all four of its second-quarter possessions.

Four plays into the second period, Gabe Jackson capped a 14-play, 89-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead. Southern completed three passes of 26, 22 and 26 yards on the drive.

Three minutes later Southern followed a lead block by Alex Dorland around right end en route to a 27-touchdown run.

After Tahoma got on the board on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Heyden Johnson to Chris Marangon, Southern led Federal Way 60 yards in seven plays, scoring on a 16-yard pass to Montrel Walton with a minute left in the half.

Justin Amundsen stripped the ball from Tahoma's Landon Burns after a 26-yard reception, setting up a 27-yard field goal by Kelyn Rowe with 3 seconds left in the half for a 24-7 lead.

Southern's 11-yard touchdown pass to Greylin James put the Eagles up 38-7 in the third quarter. Kurt LaFranchi scored on a 6-yard run for Tahoma (2-3, 1-2) in the fourth.

Other games

Kentlake 24, Kent-Meridian 12

At French Field in Kent, Matt Hall's 38-yard touchdown pass to Raphael Hall in the fourth quarter secured the Falcons' North Division victory. Steven Twomey's fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter put Kentlake (2-3, 2-1) ahead 17-6. But K-M (2-3, 1-2) cut the deficit to 17-12 on André Moore's 2-yard touchdown run. Moore also caught a scoring pass.

Bethel 40, Beamer 7

At Art Crate Stadium in Spanaway, Lamardray Fuller had an 8-yard run in the fourth quarter to prevent Beamer (0-3, 2-3) from being shut out by Bethel's stingy defense. Bethel (4-1, 2-1) quarterback Oliver Henry was 22 of 33 with 372 yards and five touchdown passes.

Curtis 55, Emerald Ridge 27

At Sparks Stadium in Puyallup, A.J. Wilson ran and ran some more for Curtis (1-2, 2-3), scoring six touchdowns, including a 94-yard punt return. Curtis had 369 total yards. Emerald Ridge (4-1, 2-1) couldn't keep up; quarterback Logan Bushnell was 12 for 26 — connecting with Joey Williamson twice for TDs — with two interceptions.