4A HS Football: Curtis holds off Kentwood in showdown of big plays

11/7/2025

Curtis 30, Kentwood 20

(University Place, WA) This one of the few games in these rounds of 32 that looked to be a match-up where either team could win and it was going to be a fun game to watch. Both premonitions proved to be correct.

After burning up nearly 5 minutes of the 1st Kentwood would end up punting on their 1st possession. Curtis took-over on their own 25. Running back Ryland Geldermann busted off a 62 yard run deep into Conqueror territory setting up a great scoring opportunity. Kentwood’s defense dug in and forced the Vikings to settle for a 21-yard field goal that Luca Neibergall connected to give Curtis the lead 3-0 with 4:14 to go in the 1st quarter.

The two teams would exchange possession when Curtis got the ball back in the 2nd quarter on the Kentwood 19 after the Conks tried a 4th and short deep in their own territory. KW’s defense rose again stifling the Curtis offense and they set up for a 31-yard field goal attempt. This time it was pushed wide and the Conks remained within 3 points.

After holding the KW offense in check again with a fierce rush from the Vikings front 4 of Robby Lavatai, Rashaun Lavatai, Kingston Kerkoff and Jereme Scott, a short punt gave the Viks great field position on their own 45. This time Curtis knew what to do after getting a big play to give them a 1st and goal inside the 10 and Geldermann plowed in from 6 yards out as the Vikings pushed their lead to 10-0 with just 2:01 left in the half.

It wouldn’t take long for the KW big play offense to show up. Starting on their own 20, QB Brandon Tagle dropped back and as t he pressure started to close in he stepped up in the pocket and delivered a perfect throw to Tre Mayfield near midfield. Mayfield then took off up field then abruptly stopped and reversed course to the far sideline swerved in and out and got a great screen from team mate Romeo Cabansag III and finished off an incredible 80 touchdown catch and run. The PAT was missed but Kentwood was on the board trailing 10-6 as they went to the half.

On the opening drive for Curtis, Gelbermann again found a big open space and raced 55 yards from their own 22. A few plays later, QB Sam Patterson fired a quick flare out to Taylor Smith who streaked up the near sideline and got a couple of key blocks then finished off the scoring run with determination to get across the goal line. The PAT was no good after a high snap but the Vikings pressed their lead back to 10 up 16-6.

After a Kentwood punt, the Conks would get the ball back on their own 15 when Lupe Muipu picked off Patterson. The Conks then went on a well balanced 9 play drive with Darian Williams finishing it off from the 1 yard line. The extra point failed but it was back to a one score game with Curtis up 16-12.

Just seconds into the 4th quarter, Curtis took the ball on their own 34. On the 3rd play they crossed the 50 to the KW 47. With Geldermann getting do much attention, the Vikings play faked the ball to Geldermann but Patterson handed off the ball to Taylor Smith who was looking to jet sweep around the left side.

The KW defense read it well and Smith had no place to go but he hit the brakes and circled back to the right, found a gap and was gone 47 yards in a spectacular run to take the air out of the Conk defense. Neibergall added the PAT and it was 23-12 with 8:56 to play. Take a look at the play below in the video highlights and you will see Alijah Johnson get 2 key blocks late to spring Smith in for 6.

The Curtis defense had been making big plays all night and when Kentwood got the ball back the Viks made their biggest play of the game. On 2nd down, Tagle dropped back to pass but Burke Shepard picked off the high throw denying the Conks a chance at keeping pace.

This gave the ball to Curtis on their own 46 and the momentum had swung to Curtis where Geldermann made them pay again bursting over the right side and ran untouched 54 yards for the icing score. The PAT was good and Curtis had their biggest lead of the game 30-12. Take a look at this play below in the highlights and you will also see Smith’s fellow WR Alijah Johnson make not one but two late blocks to spring him in for 6.

There was still 7:32 left to play and Kentwood refused to give in answering that with a 4 play scoring drive with Darian Williams taking a little flick pass from Tagle who was scrambling and dashing 24 yards in for the score. Williams then added the 2 point conversion and KW was back within 10 down 30-20 with 6:03 to play.

They tried an onside kick giving the ball to Curtis in excellent field position and the Vikings were able to burn nearly 3 minutes while picking up one key 1st down and then turning it over on downs at the KW 39.

The Conks would get 2 more possessions but both ended in interceptions as Charlie Torrone quickly ended the next possession and Shepard got his 2nd pick of the night withy just 11 seconds to play.

Kentwood had their season end with a 7-3 final record under 1st year head coach Quincey Davison. Davison an alumni of Kentwood is on his way to turning this program back into a feared opponent and as disappointing as this loss was for the Conks they are on the right track and will be fun to watch this program continue to build under this new and energized leadership.

Meantime, Curtis HC, Darren McKay knows how to win, knows how to build programs and once again has morphed his program to his talent and is heading to the State Tournament with a big team win under their belts.

Our Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the game had to go to the big boys up front and we named the entire defensive line the MVP’s of the game. Rashaun Lavatai, Robby Lavatai, Kingston Kerkoff and Jereme Scott. By the way, all 4 also start on the offensive line with center Legend Robertson and were responsible for spring Geldermann leading to his 206 rushing yards.

For stats and more on this game check out our ESN postgame show below followed by our video highlights.

Link to watch full game replay on the NFHS Network (subscription required)

ESN Postgame Show