10/31/25
Sumner Spartans 49, Bethel Bison 0
(Elk Plain, WA) The Bethel Bison and Sumner Spartans both secured their spots in the Round of 32 by finishing second in their respective SPSL divisions. However, with seeding being very important for not just the Round of 32, but the entire State Playoffs, both teams had a lot to prove heading into the Week 9 SPSL Crossover. On a chilly, foggy night, the two teams looked to claim third place in one of the most competitive leagues in all of Washington.
Sumner began the game with the ball, but the Bethel defense forced a three-and-out. The Bison picked up a first down, but after a flurry of penalties and Sumner recording a sack, Bethel’s senior quarterback Evan Barnes hit Junior Uncangco for 27 yards. Despite the big play, Bethel still faced third and eight and couldn’t convert on third down, and punted it away. On the ensuing drive, Sumner went six plays, covering 83 yards, and every play on the drive was a gain of 10 or more yards. Senior running back, Lance McGee, knifed through the Bison defense for a 29-yard touchdown run to put the Spartans on the scoreboard first. Sumner attempted a two-point conversion with a handoff to defensive end Shaun Griffith. The Bison were all over it and stuffed it short as Sumner led 6-0. Bethel punted on their next drive, and Sumner wasted no time finding paydirt again. Quarterback, Nate Donavan, launched a deep ball for Braylon Pope, and the junior receiver sped down the field for a 52-yard touchdown to give Sumner a 13-0 lead.
On the next drive, Sumner’s Gray Longoria drilled Barnes and knocked his helmet off, forcing Barnes to head to the sideline for one play. Sumner took advantage of Bethel needing a backup quarterback for third and long. The Spartans sent the blitz and chased the quarterback into the end zone and forced an intentional grounding, which resulted in a safety, and Sumner went up 15-0 early in the second quarter. Getting the ball in terrific field position, the Spartans turned to McGee for another big run, and he popped off a 21-yard touchdown run to go ahead 22-0.
After forcing another Bethel three-and-out, Sumner had the ball and was looking for more points. McGee took a handoff and dashed 65 yards for his third touchdown of the first half and put Sumner up 29-0. The Spartans’ defense forced another Bethel punt, and the offense put together its fourth three-play scoring drive, as Israel Nabors plunged ahead for a 10-yard touchdown run. Sumner led 36-0 with over four minutes remaining in the first half. The Bison offense had their most successful drive of the night, highlighted by a 45-yard catch by Anthony Sanchez-Whigham to flip the field. Later on the drive, on third down, Bethel went to the end zone, but Izear Ferguson made the interception for Sumner and returned it to the 45-yard line to give the Spartans a chance to add to their lead. They took advantage of the turnover, and after moving the ball to the one-yard line, Dillon Titialii powered into the end zone for the touchdown, and Sumner held a 42-0 lead going into the half.
In the second half, Sumner’s defense forced another turnover, with Wyatt Plyler making a nice interception. Bethel pushed Sumner out of field goal range and forced the Spartans to punt. Bethel punted it back to Sumner, and the Spartans, with the clock running, took their drive into the fourth quarter. Backup quarterback, Brennan Abbott, zipped a pass to AJ Barnby, who trotted into the end zone for a five-yard touchdown. Sumner would go on to win the game 49-0 and preserve its third shutout in four games.
Our Sumner Holiday Inn Express Game MVP went to Sumner’s Lance McGee. McGee was a force running the ball, and his first-half three touchdowns set the tone for the game and a possible deep postseason run for Sumner. His offensive line was tremendous and deserves some credit for setting up their future DI player. The Spartans’ offensive line consists of Edgar Schenk, Xander Pearson, Kameron Raboteau, Maciah Keene, and Elijah Thomas. Perhaps the most impressive stat about their offensive line is that four of the five starters are juniors.
Sumner improves to 6-3 on the season and will wait to see their Round of 32 opponent.
Bethel drops to 5-4 and also waits to see their Round of 32 opponent.
Click here for the full game replay (Subscription Required).
ESN Talks With Game MVP, Sumner’s Lance McGee
Game Highlights
Game MVP, Sumner’s Lance McGee Completes Hat Trick With 65-Yard Touchdown
Sumner’s Nate Donavan Hits Braylon Pope For 52-Yard Strike
Bethel’s Evan Barnes Launches It Deep For Anthony Sanchez-Wigham
www.elisportsnetwork.com
