9/25/2025

Steilacoom 34, Clover Park 12

(Lakewood, WA) The SPSL 2A is a tough league and Franklin Pierce is looking to repeat as league champs and get further than the quarterfinals this season. Fife and Orting both got to the opening round of the play-offs and all 3 are eyeing postseason.

Steilacoom had recent success with a trip to the State Title game in 2019 behind the efforts of some guy that’s having a pretty good rookie season in the NFL, Emeka Egbuka. The Sentinels Head Coach Kyle Haller had more of an idea of 2019 and they came into this game at Clover Park perfect at 3-0.

The Clover Park Timberwolves want to take that next step forward and come in with 2 losses but lost by just 7 in their opener to Black Hills, handled Foster with a big 30 point win and dropped to an always tough Eatonville squad.

Opening Quarter

The Sentinels didn’t waste time in getting on the scoreboard taking the ball on their own 31 and marched down 7 plays and Noah Maxwell punched it in from the 6 yard line on the opening drive of the game. Justin Chang popped through the PAT and it was 7-0 with about 9 minutes on the clock.

After forcing a Timberwolf punt Steilacoom needed just 4 plays to hit the end zone again on their second possession. Maxwell busted off a 32-yard run to finish the drive and Chang booted the extra point for a 14-0 lead with just a few seconds left to play in the 1st quarter.

Timberwolves respond; so do Sentinels

Clover Park had put on a pretty good opening drive that went about 30 yards to the Steilacoom side of the 50 in a 6 minute drive that ended in a punt. The Timberwolves second drive began on their own 15 yard line. The T-Wolves had a great mix of running the ball with Rayson-Marcel Jonas and QB Marshall Scott. Scott also tossing the ball around with a big 39 yard completion to Colin Boykin. They would face a 4th and goal from the one and on the 13th play of the drive Jonas powered in for the score. The PAT was no good but the Clover Park made it a 1 score game trailing 14-6 with 5:15 left to go in the half.

Steilacoom had an answer and it was immediate. Maxwell scooped up the ensuing kick-off on the 11 on the far side of the field, cut to middle and looked to be going the long route all the way to the near side when he spotted a gap, planted his foot and cut straight up the field out-running everyone taking it to the house for an 89-yard and 10-second answer to the long C-P drive to extend the lead back to 2 scores 21-6.

The T-Wolves were hoping to answer or at least make sure the Sentinels could not have another chance but Steilly’s defense dug in and forced C-P to punt where they took over on their own 25 with 2:54 to play. It was 28-6 about 10-seconds later when the Sentinels QB Titus Kaeka dropped back and dropped a perfect pass into the hands of Jaleo Johnson who never broke stride and was gone 75 yards for the score.

That’s how it would go to the break, 28-6 Steilacoom with the lead.

After Halftime

Clover Park got the ball to begin the 2nd half. The Timberwolves were looking to start with another long sustained drive and they were on their way. The T-Wolves ended up running the ball 13 times and passed once. There were several other plays that were drop back passes but Scott scrambled and gained yardage. The Timberwolves also were flagged for several penalties having to pick up the same yardage a few times on this drive.

The Timberwolves drove to the 24 of Steilacoom when there was a missed exchange in the backfield and the ball was on the ground. The mad scramble ended with Beau Weaver recovering the loose ball for the Sentinels denying the Timberwolves the opening drive score while they took off nearly 9 minutes from the clock.

After a turnover on downs and C-P punt the Sentinels would go 61 yards in 6 plays with Chang capping off the drive with a 2 yard TD plunge. The PAT was no good and Steilacoom led 34-6.

Beau Weaver would then get his 2nd turnover for the Sentinels with an interception. Steilacoom drove the ball to the other side of the 50 and set up a screen pass when Andre Williams jumped the throw, pick-it clean and went about 55 yards for the score with a pick 6. The PAT failed and the score was 34-12 and that’s where it would stay.

Sumner Holiday Inn MVP

Our Sumner Holiday Inn MVP came down to several options from the Steilacoom squad. QB Titus Kaeka, Jaleo Johnson and offensive lineman Trevon Marble were in the discussion but 3 TD’s, an 89-yard kick-off return it was unanimous that Noah Maxwell earned the MVP.

Had the Timberwolves won QB Marshall Scott, Colin Boykin, Rayson-Marcel Jonas and Andre Williams would have been battling for the honor.

Record and what’s next?

Steilacoom improves to 4-0 on the year and is now 2-0 in league play. The Sentinels will have the first of two huge matchups at Orting next Friday. Clover Park drops to 1-3 and 1-1 in league. The Timberwolves will host Fife next Thursday.

Click this link to watch the full replay on the NFHS Network (subscription required)

ESN Post Game Show

 

Video Highlights

Noah Maxwell busts off a 32 yard TD

 

Marshall Scott the escape artist

 

Noah Maxell zooms 89 yards for a kick-off return TD

 

Titus Kaeka hits Jaleo Johnson who is gone for 6

 

Andre Williams takes it to the house for the Timberwolves

 

www.elisportsnetwork.com

By paulb

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