9/6/25

Franklin Pierce Cardinals 38, Lincoln (Tacoma) Abes 29

(Tacoma, WA) A pair of State Quarterfinalists a year ago, both the Franklin Pierce Cardinals and the Lincoln Abes have a lot of key pieces returning to their teams in 2025 and are hoping for even deeper postseason runs. Franklin Pierce was 11-1, the three-seed, and suffered their only loss in 2024 to W.F. West in the State Quarterfinals. Lincoln was 9-3 a year ago, but started 1-2 before winning eight in a row before falling to Eastside Catholic in the Quarters. The teams collided for an inter-city matchup that proved to be a spectacular game between two highly talented programs.

Franklin Pierce got the ball to begin the game and marched down the field on a nine-play drive, capped off with a four-yard touchdown from 2024 2A SPSL MVP, Bryson Allen. The Cardinals converted on the two-point conversion, with junior quarterback Jeremiah Orcutt tossing a pass to Anthony Lomiga to give Franklin Pierce an 8-0 lead. Lincoln responded by moving the ball nicely on their opening drive of the season. On the ninth play of the drive, Orcutt made a great read on a deep ball towards the end zone and leaped up to make the interception. Franklin Pierce went from their own five-yard line and drove down the field in 11 plays, but fumbled inside the 20 as JT Williams for Lincoln jumped on the loose ball to give the Abes possession.

Lincoln would go down the field in just six plays, and Jadeon Scranton showcased his speed for a 45-yard touchdown to pull the Abes within two, but they couldn’t convert on the extra point as they trailed 8-6. After a fantastic kickoff that dribbled up the sideline and stopped at the two-yard line and great coverage forced Franklin Pierce to start their next drive from their own six. The Cardinals went all the way to the Lincoln three-yard line but were stuffed on third and goal, and fourth and goal for a turnover on downs. Lincoln was forced to punt with only half a minute left in the half, and Franklin Pierce led 8-6 at the break.

The second half was an offensive explosion to say the least. Lincoln opened up the second half with the ball, and after some good runs from Scranton, the Abes went to the air. Four-star quarterback Sione Kaho found Elijah Carney on a screen, and he flew up the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown to give Lincoln a 13-6 lead. Franklin Pierce took time off the clock on the next drive with a nine-play, 64-yard drive, with Allen finding paydirt from two yards out, and again on the two-point conversion to give the Cardinals a 16-13 lead.

The play that had a major impact on the outcome of the game happened on the ensuing kickoff. Franklin Pierce forced a Lincoln fumble on the return, and Adam Cook dove on the ball for the Cardinals, giving them tremendous field position. Franklin Pierce was facing fourth and 11 from the 22-yard line, and the Power-T offense stuck with their bread and butter and leaned on their star running back. Allen broke free from the line and scored his third touchdown of the night to give the Cardinals a 24-13 lead going into the fourth quarter. Franklin Pierce had the ball for a whopping 9:58 of the 12 minutes in the third quarter.

Lincoln responded in less than two minutes as Kaho, on third down from the 11-yard line, heaved a pass to avoid a sack, and Carney jumped up, snagged the ball out of the air, and scored for a wild touchdown. Scranton ran in the two-point conversion, and Lincoln trailed 24-21. Franklin Pierce, on the next drive, faced fourth and five from their own 42-yard line, and once again dialed up Allen for a 44-yard run to flip the field. Allen punched in a six-yard touchdown run as the Cardinals took a 30-21 lead. Lincoln’s offense needed points and delivered again. Kaho led a seven-play drive in two minutes and capped it off by finding Carney again for the touchdown. Carney made an excellent leaping grab in the corner of the end zone, and Lincoln converted on the two-point conversion once again to get within a point at 30-29.

Lincoln attempted an onside kick, but Franklin Pierce recovered at midfield. After a pair of first downs and after Lincoln burned their final two timeouts, the Abes let Allen score from 23 yards out to make it a 36-29 lead for the Cardinals. Franklin Pierce was backed up five yards after a delay of game penalty before their two-point conversion attempt. Allen still managed to find the end zone on the eight-yard two-point conversion to put Franklin Pierce up 38-29 with under a minute and a half left. Lincoln drove down the field, but with less than 10 seconds left in the game, the Cardinals forced a turnover on downs and would get the nine-point win 38-29.

Our Sumner Holiday Inn Express Game MVP went to Franklin Pierce’s Bryson Allen, who had all five touchdowns for the Cardinals, three two-point conversions, and was all over the place defensively, leading them to a big road win.

Jeremiah Orcutt was great at quarterback, handling the ball with precision all night long and having an interception as a defensive back. The entire Franklin Pierce offensive line was great, too, consisting of Zaid Valencia, Anthony Aloisio, Ian Swaney, Luke Stakset, and Tevita Aholelei.

Lincoln had great performances from Sione Kaho and his number one target of the night, Elijah Carney, who connected for three touchdowns. Jadeon Scranton was powerful in running the ball for the Abes, Ilai Malafu stepped up as a wide receiver, and Anthony Mancao was a force on the defensive line, making things difficult to run against.

Franklin Pierce is 1-0 and has won seven consecutive road games, with their last road loss coming in September of 2023. The Cardinals host Lynden next Saturday in the first of three straight home games.

Lincoln drops to 0-1 and will head to Yelm next week before facing 4A State Runners-up, Camas, in two weeks.

Click here to view the full game replay (Subscription Required).

ESN Talks To Game MVP, Franklin Pierce’s Bryson Allen

Game Highlights

Game MVP, Franklin Pierce’s Bryson Allen Runs In TD On 4th And 11

Lincoln’s Jadeon Scranton Dazzling 45-Yard Touchdown Run

Franklin Pierce’s Special Teams Forces Fumble To Turn The Second Half On Its Head

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