The Federal Way Eagles finally got into the win column Friday night with a 36-17 victory over winless Emerald Ridge at Sparks Stadium in the shadow of the Puyallup Fair.
The Eagles (1-3) had to comeback during the second and third quarters after trailing 10-9 after Emerald Ridge’s Niko Lopez returned an interception 86 yards for a touchdown.
But it was senior Nick Tanielu who took over after that. The reigning first-team, All-South Puget Sound League North Division quarterback gave the Eagles the lead back with a 3-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter to give Federal Way a 15-10 lead at halftime.
Tanielu then did it on the defensive side of the ball when he returned an interception 14-yards for a touchdown to open the third quarter. Following a 13-yard touchdown run by D.J. May, Tanielu added a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Eagles up 36-10 in the fourth quarter.
Emerald Ridge added a late touchdown on a 17-yard pass from Kurt Skoda to Connor Marshall.
Federal Way hosts the 2-2 Bethel Braves Thursday night.
In other action:
Decatur 19, at Lincoln 16 — The Decatur Gators (1-3) also picked up their first win of the season Friday night in a non-league game at the Lincoln Bowl in Tacoma.
Curtis Havili scored the game-winner on a 12-yard run in the fourth quarter after Lincoln, a member of the Narrows League, took a 16-13 lead.
Lincoln jumped out to a 10-0 lead after a first-quarter touchdown and a second-quarter safety. But the Gators came back with a pair of touchdowns, including a 16-yard run by Javon Washington and a 5-yard touchdown pass from Jason Wiley to take a 13-10 lead. Lincoln took the lead back in the fourth quarter on a 7-yard touchdown run, setting up Havili’s game winner.
After four non-league games, the Gators finally kick off their SPSL 3A schedule Friday night against the Enumclaw Hornets at Pete’s Pool, which is located at the King County Fairgrounds in Enumclaw.
It was Lincoln’s second straight loss after starting the season with two wins over Mount Tahoma and Stadium.
at Kentlake 56, Jefferson 22 — The Raiders dropped to 1-3 in the SPSL North with a big loss to the unbeaten Kentlake Falcons. The loss was TJ’s third in a row since beating Tahoma in their season opener. It was also Jefferson’s third game in a row against an unbeaten team. The Raiders also lost to Kentwood and Auburn.
Jefferson actually led 3-0 early Thursday night at French Field. Trey Jones hit a field goal during the first quarter to put the Raiders up 3-0. But it was all Kentlake from there. The Falcons’ Austin Pernell returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and Kentlake led 35-9 at halftime.
The Raiders host Kent-Meridian Friday. The Royals are 2-2 on the year and beat Mount Rainier 54-0 last week.
Rogers 42, at Beamer 6 — The Titans fell to 1-3 with their third-straight loss Friday to the Rogers Rams at Federal Way Memorial Stadium.
Beamer trailed 21-0 at halftime and 35-0 after the third quarter. The Titans’ only touchdown came in the fourth quarter on a one-handed catch by Beamer senior wide receiver Dominique Maxie.
The Titans travel to Spanaway Lake (1-3) to take on the Sentinels Thursday night.
