9/12/25
Bethel Bison 31, Emerald Ridge 21
(Elk Plain, WA) The Emerald Ridge Jaguars got off to a 1-0 start after a win at home last week and made the trip south to take on the Bethel Bison. Bethel lost to last year’s runners-up in 3A, Bellevue, but still had good spirits coming into their home opener. Despite the game being a cross-division matchup, the two sides were eager for an SPSL victory to try and build some early-season momentum.
In the first quarter, Bethel got the ball first but was forced to punt. Emerald Ridge drove down the field, and junior quarterback Brayden Paulino used his legs for a three-yard touchdown run to give the Jaguars a 7-0 lead. The ER defense forced another Bethel punt and drove down the field. Paulino went through the air this time, hitting his target, Zab Zenkner, for a 28-yard touchdown. ER went for two, and Paulino ran in the two-point conversion as the Jaguars took a 15-0 lead.
Bethel got the ball back and tried to go for it on fourth down, but came up short early in the second quarter. Emerald Ridge struck again, as the Paulino-to-Zenkner connection went for a 44-yard touchdown as they took a 21-0 lead. Bethel came back with a nice drive and punched in a two-yard touchdown run with senior running back Kaine Peahi, as the deficit was 21-7. On the ensuing drive, Emerald Ridge fumbled the ball and Bethel’s Junior Uncangco hopped on the loose ball to give the Bison possession, but they were forced to punt and ER kneeled down to end the half. The Jaguars maintained a 21-7 lead going into the second half.
Emerald Ridge came out of the halftime break with the ball punted it away. Bethel put together another good drive and capped it off with a touchdown run from Ethan Schuppener from four yards out to pull Bethel within seven points at 21-14. The Bison defense made another stop and forced another Emerald Ridge punt. Bethel drove down the field and Schuppener punched in his second touchdown of the night, this time from three yards out, and the game was tied at 21 apiece. Emerald Ridge faced some injuries, including Paulino, who tried his hardest to play through his injury but ultimately wasn’t able to play.
ER punted back to the Bison, and it appeared Bethel would punt back to the Jaguars. However, Emerald Ridge was called for a penalty for running into the punter on fourth and 12, and Bethel accepted the five-yard penalty, hoping the second punt would back ER further into their own territory. Now facing 4th and seven, Bethel lined up to punt and got a better punt than they had hoped for, but the Jaguars were flagged for roughing the punter, which is a 15-yard penalty, and gave the Bison a first down. Bethel took advantage of the opportunity on the first play, as Schuppener completed the hat trick with a 42-yard touchdown run and gave Bethel its first lead of the night at 28-21 in the fourth quarter. On the first play of the drive, Emerald Ridge fumbled and Bethel recovered the ball in good territory. The ER defense held Bethel to a field goal attempt, and sophomore kicker Luke Mackey knocked through a 28-yard field goal to give Bethel a 31-21 lead. Emerald Ridge had to go to their third-string quarterback after another injury, and moved the ball into Bison territory, but turned the ball over on downs with about three minutes remaining. Bethel punted with less than half a minute left and held on for a dramatic 31-21 victory.
Our Holiday Inn Express Game MVP went to Bethel’s Ethan Schuppener. He had three rushing touchdowns and is one of the leaders of the defense as a linebacker. Bethel also had great performances from Zak Fruean, Junior Uncangco, and the entire offensive line of Sir Aguiluz, Dustin Ridge, Louie Cappetto, Logan Sarmiento, and Jacob Block all created lanes for Schuppener to find paydirt three times.
Emerald Ridge’s Brayden Paulino was great before he was injured, Zab Zenkner had another great game, and Hunter Rusler were all making impactful plays for the Jaguars.
Bethel is now 1-1 on the season and will host North Creek in a non-league matchup on the Eli Sports Network next Friday.
Emerald Ridge drops to 1-1 on the season and will face Graham-Kapowsin next Thursday, also on the Eli Sports Network.
We experienced technical difficulties, and the game couldn’t be streamed on the NFHS Network like we had planned. We apologize for the inconvenience.
www.elisportsnetwork.com