The Spartans found the right formula to kick off the football season – a 49-14 win over Auburn Mountainview executed on the ground and through the air.

Sumner put it in high gear in the first quarter and never looked back.

The Spartans scored two touchdowns in the first frame and racked up 21 more in the second.

Coach Keith Ross said by email, “We wanted to wear them down with our rushing attack. We rushed for 369 yards.”

Ross said his offensive line did a great job as did the defense.

“(We) held them to 16 rushing and 159 total (yards), “ Ross said. “Austin Ford, Brandon Tulieapa  and Jace Johnson played stellar pass defense. We had a game plan and we executed it to perfection.”

The Spartans displayed a balanced ground and air game on offense. Sumner quarterback Chase Torgison engineered an effective passing attack, throwing 8-13 for 97 yards, one pick and two passing touchdowns.

DeJon Lynch rushed for 179 and four touchdowns. Brandon Tuilaepa ran for 123 yards

Receiver Triston Weddington caught two touchdown passes and gained 57 yards on six reception.

The Auburn Mountainview game was a nonleague. The Lions are South Puget Sound League 3A and Sumner is 2A.

Next up for the Spartans is school-district rival Bonney Lake, 7 p.m. Friday on the road. The Panther-Spartan game is also a nonleague game.