5 games you should not have missed in Week 10 of Washington high school football

Mount Tahoma rides strong run game, led by Jonny Comoza's game-high 164 yards, to move past Mount Spokane in 3A state play-in game

After missing the WIAA playoffs for 43 years, Mount Tahoma is now going to back-to-back Class 3A tournaments after defeating Mount Spokane. / Photo by Todd Milles

TACOMA, Wash. - After watching his Mount Tahoma High School football team make what would have essentially been a game-sealing play to close out the first half, coach Keith Terry couldn't believe what he was hearing.

As the game referee explained it, Joshua Durr's 77-yard return off Elijah Durr's blocked field goal was not going t count ... because of an inadvertent whistle.

As if the season wasn't full of hair-pulling moments, and ways to lose games, Terry would just have to settle for a two-touchdown halftime lead over Mount Spokane in their Class 3A state play-in game Saturday at Mount Tahoma Stadium.

And then watch his offense drive 91 yards to start the second half for the touchdown that would send them on their merry way.

The Thunderbirds played their most complete game of the fall, rolling up 496 yards in the rain, including 290 of it on the ground, in a 35-13 win over the Wildcats.

Jonny Comoza paced the rushing attack with 164 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, including the 40-yard score that capped tha initial second-half drive that gave Mount Tahoma a 28-7 lead at the 7:50 mark.

"I was really satisfied," Terry said. "Again, we are putting things together. We are getting healthy at the right time of the year. There are little things that we have to continue to work on, but we are playing really good football right now.

"We've got the right stuff rolling right now. We just want to keep that momentum."

Mount Spokane went 90 yards on 12 plays to start the game, grabbing a 7-0 lead on Ryken Tweedy's 18-yard touchdown strike to Rock Franklin.

Mount Tahoma responded by converting a fourth-and-2 inside the red zone on Mikkah Cordero's 6-yard score to Elijah Durr, who went up high to grab the game-tying pass.

And the Thumderbirds kept scoring, taking a 14-7 lead on Cordero's 10-yard scramble early in the second quarter.

At the end of the first half, Cordero unleashed a 73-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Durr with 1:18 remaining, and the lead grew to 21-7.

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RICHLAND UPENDS YELM

When the yellow pants come out at Richland High School, you know it is a big game.

And the appropriate top? The road white jerseys.

Traveling to 2023 Class 3A finalist Yelm, the Bombers reeled off a pair of touchdowns in a 21/2-minute span late in the third quarter, and held on for a 24-20 victory Friday.

With the win, Richland advances to the WIAA Class 4A playoffs for a fourth consecutive season. The last time that happened was 1990.

After Jake Brannon's 34-yard touchdown run gave Richland the lead for good, 17-14, the Bombers got a big defensive stop in their own territory - and immediately struck again on Jackson Woodard's 64-yard touchdown strike to Colson Mackey for a 24-14 advantage with 3:04 remaining in the third quarter.

Woodard finished with 201 passing yards and two scores, both to Mackey, who had six receptions for 129 yards.

"That was the plan from the start, to try and pick on the defensive backs we had a size advantage on," Richland coah Josh Jelinek said.

And a color advantage, too. Jelinek said the yellow pants - a big tradition at the school - usually come out for November playoff games.

"And they look best with those white jerseys," Jelinek said.

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PUYALLUP KEEPS GOOD VIBES GOING

A month ago, Puyallup was 1-4 and appeared dead in the water for earning a Class 4A playoff bid.

And now? The Vikings are headed off to the WIAA playoffs, courtesy of their 27-14 victory over Eastlake, a Class 4A semifinalist in 2023, in Sammamish.

Luke Parker, who is now 5-0 as the new starting quarterback, passed for 188 yards and a touchdown. He also had the score to give the Vikings the lead for good in the third quarter.

With the game tied, Puyallup came out in the second half on 15-play, 65-yard drive that chewed up more than seven minutes, converting two fourth downs in the red zone - the last one coming on Parker's 2-yard touchdown run on a designed rollout for a 21-14 Vikings' lead.

"I feel like with where we are at, we are able to adapt to anyone's style," Vikings coach Brian Grout said. "(Eastlake) wanted to possess it, so I knew with our well our defense was playing, if we could possess is (to start the second half) and score, we would be in good position."

Puyallup's defense notched a pair of second-half interceptions, and Braylon Bowie booted two fourth-quarter field goals to give the Vikings a two-score cushion.

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STANWOOD STUNS 3A GSHL CHAMPION EVERGREEN OF VANCOUVER

After Stanwood started this season 0-3, Jeff Scoma stepped down as coach, and defensive coordinator Mark Flickinger took over the reins.

And what a rally the Spartans have made since that juncture.

It continued Friday as Stanwood escaped 3A GSHL champion Evergreen of Vancouver with a 20-17 victory at McKenzie Stadium.

The difference in the outcome was on special teams. Stanwood blocked a Plainsmen punt, recovered another muffed punt for a fumble that led to a touchdown - and saw one of its own blocked punts fumbled by Evergreen to retain possession with 4:33 remaining.

"That was a huge play for us," Flickinger said.

Getting the ball back was crucial as Eben Bland Jr. converted a fourth-and-1 by racing 21 yards for a decisive touchdown to give the Spartans a 20-10 lead.

"Stepping in (for Scoma) was tough, but I am no doubt proud and happy, especially for these seniors," Flickinger said.

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MONROE WINS ON LONG SCORE

What better way to win a thriller than with a magical finish?

Monroe did just that Saturday in its 41-35 victory over Bellarmine Prep in advancing to the WIAA Class 3A playoffs for a third consecutive season.

After the Lions tied the game on Birk Johnston's 23-yard touchdown pass to Brian Mcdonough and twot-point conversion with 1:25 remaining, the gave appeared headed to overtime after the Bearcats took over at their own 15-yard line.

Logan Manson had other ideas. Sensing a Lions' blitz, the quarterback hit wide receiver Jacob Jutte along the right seam.

Jutte then split two converging defenders near midfield and raced the rest of 85 yards for the game-winning touchdown.

"Our quarterback hit the blitz pickup ... and made a great throw," Monroe coach Scott Darrow said. "We got lucky, although we work on it. It was great for our kids."

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