The Kennewick Lions made the plays they had to, then had to gut out a failed OT extra point attempt, to triumph over Yelm 35-34 Saturday in a first-round 3A state playoff game at Lampson Stadium. The Lions (10-1) move on to the quarterfinals next week to play fourth seeded Bethel, who shut out Garfield 21-0.

Kennewick's Simeon Howard had a monster game for the Lions on both sides of the ball. On defense, the sophomore scooped up a fumble returning it to the house on the second play of the game. He also had an interception. On offense, he finished with seven catches for 142 yards and a touchdown, the game winner. He was on the receiving end of busted play where QB Elijah Tanner found a leaping Howard for an overtime score. The subsequent successful extra point was the difference as Yelm scored an overtime TD but the Tornadoes failed on their extra point attempt giving the Lions the W. Ethan Woolery and Myles Mayovsky both had stellar performances for the Lions. More here.

Chiawana ran into a QB juggernaut in their opening round 4A playoff tilt the likes of which they hadn't seen all year. Clay Millen, whose father Hugh Millen was a University of Washington signal caller and a journeyman NFL QB, shredded the Riverhawks secondary with passes seemingly no one could catch but his receivers. Chiawana had good coverage all day, and the 6 foot 3 inch 191 pound junior Mount Si QB was sacked 8 times, but Millen was just a little bit better time and again tossing 6 TD's and passing for 466 yards total, eliminating Chiawana 46-21. More here.

Prosser notched a home victory against Eatonville 41-23 in their first-round 2A playoff game. It was the Mustangs eighth straight victory, with senior running Logan Candanoza rushing for 310 yards and three scores. Quarterback Kaiden Rivera continued his steady progress as the sophomore, pressed into duty due to injury earlier in the season, tossed a pair of scores going 30-of-37 passing for 272 yards. It's the first time the Mustangs have advanced to the quarterfinals since they won the 2015 state championship in coach Corey Ingvalson's first year leading his alma mater. After dispatching the Cruisers, the second seeded Steilacoom Sentinels are up next weekend on the road for Prosser. More here.

Royal looked unbeatable, again, in their opening round 1A playoff rout. The Knights were only ahead 57-0 at halftime in their win. Connell and LaSalle both advanced.  Zillah lost a close contest to Deer Park 22-20 ending the season for the Leopards. The Eagles play Mt. Baker, seeded fifth, the Lightning, a two seed, host Lynden Christian next in the quarterfinal round. Top seeded Royal plays Omak next.

Tri-Cities Prep scored an impressive opening round Class 2B shutout win, 37-0 over Asotin, the Jaguars will travel to play top seeded Onalaska next.

 

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