The Sumner Spartans lost its third straight game Thursday 31-30 to Auburn.

The Spartans have fallen from the top rankings of the South Puget Sound League 3A and sit in sixth place.

Sumner is now 1-3 in league play and 3-3 overall.

Thursday was a close game for Sumner as the clock wound down.

Auburn opened up the first quarter scoring two touchdowns and a field goal.

With one of the touchdowns off a fumble returned for six.

Down 17-0 in the second, Sumner scored two minutes in on a two yard run by junior Josiah Fidecaro.

The Spartans went for the two point conversion but were unsuccessful and now trailed the Trojans 17-6.

Sumner added to its lead with a touchdown pass from senior Chase Torgison to sophomore Connor Wedington for a 56 yard gain.

The Spartans were only down four points.

But with 41 seconds to play in the first half, Auburn added to its lead with a touchdown.

The Trojans were up 24-13 entering halftime.

The second half appeared to be all Sumner.

The Spartans kicked a field goal with 8:21 to play in the third.

Down 24-16, Sumner closed the gap with a 10 yard quarterback keeper by Torgison.

The Spartans once again went for the two point conversion to tie the game but were unsuccessful.

Sumner trailed Auburn 24-22 after three.

The fourth quarter appeared scoreless until 50 seconds remained and the Spartans scored on a 14 yard run by junior Josh Riley.

Riley also successfully ran it in for the two point conversion.

Added eight to the board, Sumner was up 30-24 with less than a minute to go in the game.

Auburn with the ball made their way down the field.

With zero seconds remaining on the clock, the Trojans scored the winning touchdown.

Auburn won by one point.

This is Sumner’s third close game in as many weeks. Last week, the Spartans lost in overtime to Peninsula 26-20 and the week prior Sumner lost 42-35 to Auburn Mountainview.

This week, the Spartans travel to face the Lakes Lancers at 7 p.m. Friday.