The Sumner Spartans have answered every challenge so far and it shows in both the league standings and the statewide rankings.
Perhaps the season’s biggest test came Friday night at Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner, where the Spartans squared off against the Olympia Bears. Both entered the contest with perfect 5-0 records and both were averaging roughly 50 points per outing.
In the end, it was the host Spartans who were celebrating, courtesy of a 21-16 victory that kept Sumner atop the South Puget Sound League 4A standings. The team is now 5-0 in league play and 6-0 overall.
The early part of the game delivered something rare for Spartan fans. Their team’s offense was kept from the field for much of two quarters and, for the first time this year, the Spartans failed to score in the first half.
Olympia wasn’t exactly explosive, but managed a pair of Skyler Davis field goals and took a 6-0 advantage into the locker room.
The second half brought different results. Sumner’s do-everything back Connor Wedington opened the half by returning the kickoff 37 yards, giving the Spartans decent field position and a bit of momentum. Just four plays later the Spartans were in the end zone, and ahead on the scoreboard, thanks to a 37-yard touchdown run by Wedington.
Olympia again turned to Davis, who tacked on a third field goal, putting the Bears on top 9-7.
Sumner took the lead for good near the end of the third period when quarterback Luke Ross connected with Tre Weed on a 35-yard scoring toss. The margin went to 21-9 in the fourth period when Wedington struck again, this time on a 66-yard burst.
Olympia scored its only touchdown with a couple of minutes remaining on the game clock. But, after Sumner smothered an onside kick, it was too little, too late.
Next up for Sumner is Bellarmine Prep, which sits third in the SPSL 4A with a league mark of 4-1, 5-1 overall. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on the Bellarmine campus in Tacoma.
Bonney Lake undefeated in PCL 3A contests
The Bonney Lake Panthers have now rattled off five consecutive victories and catapulted themselves to the top of the Pierce County League 3A standings.
The Panther season opened with a loss to in-district rival Sumner High, but everyone has lost to the Spartans. Bonney Lake then knocked off Timberline in a nonleague tussle and posted victories in four straight league contests.
The latest victim was Wilson High. Bonney Lake showed its dominance Friday night with a 36-0 demolition of the Rams in Tacoma’s historic Stadium Bowl.
The next two weeks will go a long way toward determining if the Panthers’ successful run into the state playoffs a year ago can be duplicated. This Friday, Bonney Lake hosts the Lakes Lancers at Sunset Chev Stadium; then, on Oct. 21, the Panthers will travel to Tacoma and square off against the Lincoln Abes at Lincoln Bowl.
Lakes High presently sits at 3-1 in league play and 3-3 overall and boasts a proud tradition of success. Lincoln shares the PCL 3A top honors with Bonney Lake, undefeated in its first four league games and 5-1 overall.
