Graham-Kapowsin finds way just in time to reach WIAA 4A semifinals, 3 takeaways

Trailing by two scores, top-seeded Eagles rally past Greater Spokane League champion Gonzaga Prep, 20-14, on Saturday at Art Crate Stadium

Craig Craker | Nov 18, 2023

SPANAWAY, Wash. - It certainly wasn’t pretty, but the Graham-Kapowsin football team is headed back to the Class 4A state semifinals after defeating Gonzaga Prep, 20-14, on Saturday at Art Crate Stadium.

The Eagles (12-0) turned the ball over on their first three possessions, including twice in the end zone. Despite trailing 7-0 at half and 14-0 early in the third quarter, Daveon Superales and company were able to rally by staying inside themselves and holding off the upset-minded Bullpups (10-2).

"Our attitudes had to change," Graham-Kapowsin wide receiver Jabez Woods said. "We didn’t do good the first few series and everyone wanted to hang their heads, but we couldn’t. We had to keep pushing and stay on the gas pedal and that is what we did."

Woods scored the game-winning touchdown on a 72-yard slip screen from Superales early in the fourth quarter. He finished with six receptions for 156 yards and the touchdown. Superales was 19-for-31 for 391 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw three interceptions.

Nate Moinette rushed for 129 yards on 30 carries to lead the Bullpups in the loss.

The Eagles will Eastlake next Saturday at Art Crate Stadium.

Here are three takeaways from the game:

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OVERCOMING MISTAKES

The Eagles had about the worst start to their state quarterfinal as you could imagine Saturday.

After a first-play pass put them at first-and-goal just 20 seconds into the game, they immediately fumbled at the goal line.

After forcing a punt by Gonzaga Prep, the Eagles then threw an interception in the end zone. When they got the ball back, the Eagles threw another interception.

Star quarterback Superales had only thrown one interception all season, but found himself struggling early.

"Daveon can’t be the perfect (quarterback) all season," Woods said, "but that is the way you respond to it. Daveon didn’t look at those picks like he was doing bad, no he kept going at it and staying with his plays and did what he do."

Superales threw three interceptions in the first half, but led the Eagles on a four-play, 60-yard touchdown drive to get on the board with Alele Fa’apito-Leao scoring from 2 yards out.

After the defense forced a three-and-out, the Eagles again marched down the field but a fourth-and-goal play was blown up and led to a fumble. The defense again held, forcing another three-and-out and this time Superales found Mike Roberson for a 32-yard touchdown and after Superales connected with Khris Norris on the two-point attempt, the game was tied.

Anthony Leigh then intercepted a pass and four plays later, Superales found Woods on the 72-yarder and he hit paydirt.

"Daveon has been a fighter his whole life and he is never going to quit," Graham-Kapowsin coach Jeff Logan said. "He is a resilient kid and just a natural gamer."

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NO QUIT IN THESE SENIORS

The third consecutive trip to at least the state semifinals certainly seemed in doubt for large portions of Saturday’s game for Graham-Kapowsin, but when the Eagles were up against it, they made the plays to get the win.

"You just can’t give up in an environment like this," Woods said. "We came up short last year in the semifinals and we knew we had a lot of weapons and this wasn’t going to be the game that we were going to stop.

"We said all week in practice this wasn’t going to be our last game and our seniors really stuck to that."

The Eagles have played plenty of close games this season and prevailed, so when they went into halftime down 7-0, Logan wasn’t too worried.

"We talked about keeping our composure," Logan said. "We were doing really good stuff and moving the football, we just had a couple of self-inflicted wounds."

Roberson gave a speech in the locker room, helping rally his fellow seniors.

"He said it is not about who has the accolades or whose name is getting read a lot, it is about us and our team and we are not ready to be done," Logan said of his wide receiver. "I think that really resonated with the kids and I was proud of Mika for rallying us in there."

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NOTHING TO HANG THEIR HEADS ABOUT

The Gonzaga Prep football team knew it was the underdog against the top-ranked Eagles, but certainly didn’t play like it Saturday.

The Bullpups forced five turnovers and led 14-0 early in the third quarter, but their final gasp late wasn’t enough.

"I thought we exceeded a lot of outside expectations," Gonzaga Prep safety Ryan Jackson said. "It was always our belief that we could go to the state championship, so that stings a little bit. But we fought hard all season and surpassed all expectations."

The Bullpups had graduated nearly their entire offensive unit from a season ago, but behind senior quarterback Bodie Stafford, junior running back Nate Moinette and sophomore athletes Jonah Keller and Isaiah Docken, they found themselves not only back in the state quarterfinals but with a great chance at an all-time upset.

"I’m so proud of our kids," Gonzaga Prep coach David McKenna said. "Our kids played sound and when the opportunity was there to make plays we did."

Jackson finished with two interceptions and two pass breakups, while Preston Yim also had a pick. Jacobe McClelland and Tommy Camp recovered fumbles, and Camp also had a sack.

In the end, though, it just wasn’t quite enough.

"Our kids fought their asses off," McKenna said. "It is about this team – it is not about anything else. They worry about themselves as a group and I’m proud of them for that. A lot of programs don’t do that and these kids did."

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(All photos by Vince Miller)

Published Nov 18, 2023

CRAIG CRAKER