With the Sentinels knocking on the one-yard line, Sumner High defensive lineman Ben Taua hit a Steilacoom running back who fumbled the ball. Two plays later, Spartan running back Tyler Salisbury scampered 98 yards for the go-ahead touchdown in what would eventually become a 26-14 win for Sumner High.

The Spartans scored 26 unanswered points for the win, their fourth in as many contests this season.

The Spartans started slow, giving up first- and second-quarter touchdowns to the Sentinels.

Salisbury put the Spartans on the board with a 33-yard run in the second quarter. SHS quarterback Cody Brennan connected with Brendon Baker on a 31-yard pass to make it 14-12 Steilacoom at the half.

“We scratched back in the first half and made it close,” coach Keith Ross said.

Steilacoom racked up 225 yards rushing in the first half. The Spartans put a stop to that in the second half, holding the Sentinel ground attack to 70.

Spartan backs Cody Haavik and Salisbury agains provided a one-two offensive punch, combining for more than 265 yards. Defensively, in his role at linebacker, Haavik led the Spartans with 19 tackles.

Brennan, in his second start as the Spartan signal caller, sprinted eight yards for the final score of the game, plus tossed for more than 120.

“Now we have two proven quarterbacks,” Ross said. Veteran starter Aaron Clark, who was suspended for violating team policy, is expected to return Friday night as the Spartans face Clover Park in Lakewood.