HS Football: Kamiakin Advances to State Tournament After Long Trip to Take Down Bethel

11/9/25

Kamiakin 34, Bethel 20

The Kamiakin Braves made the long trip over to Spanaway to take on the Bethel Bison in a winner-to-state, loser-out game. Kamiakin, on a short week, had to play a play-in game against Lewis and Clark on Tuesday, November 4th. They would win 28-0 to have the opportunity to play the Bison. The Braves were 8-2 and 4th place in the Mid-Columbia Conference coming into the game. Bethel was 5-4 and in 3rd place in the SPSL 4A South Conference. Two teams that had never seen each other and had little time to prepare squared off at Art Crate Field in one of the most entertaining games you will witness.

First Half

The Braves started off the game hot and on their first drive, marched down the field, being led by QB Jagger McEwen and RB Korbyn Hopwood. After a 25-yard pass to Michael Kori, the Braves were set up in the red zone. Korbyn Hopwood would then break free for a 16-yard rushing touchdown to give Kamiakin an early 7-0 lead. The defense for Kamiakin fed off that energy and forced a three-and-out against Bethel. In just two plays of their next drive, Jagger McEwen found Mason Severson, who made a great catch and had nothing but green in front of him.

Severson would score a 49-yard touchdown, and Kamiakin led by two scores. Bethel then put together a nice drive that was aided by penalties from the Braves. The Bison took advantage of the free yards and scored their first touchdown on a 3-yard run from Mustapha Lumeh. Bethel would force a three-and-out on defense to end the first quarter. Kamiakin led 14-7 after quarter one.

Bethel would tie the game on their first possession of the second quarter. After a good punt return from Amari Quiocho, this gave the Bison excellent field position. The drive was capped off with a 10-yard rushing touchdown from QB Evan Barnes and the first of his career. The Braves would get the ball back and have big catches from Mason Severson and Michael Kori for a combined 35 yards. Kamiakin found themselves inside the ten-yard line before Jagger McEwen found a wide-open Easton Stephens for the touchdown.

On the kickoff, Junior Uncangco had a great return to give Bethel good field position. Evan Barnes targeted Zak Fruean as he had been all night but the pass was broken up by Easton Stephens. This would force Bethel to kick a field goal which was made from 37 yards by Luke Mackey. Kamiakin on their next possession would throw an interception to Zak Fruen. Amazingly, Bethel would throw an interception of their own while targetting Fruend again and Noah Starr came up with the turnover. This would end the first half and Kamiakin would lead 21-17

Second Half

Bethel would get the ball to start the second half and was forced to punt after multiple pass breakups from the Braves’ secondary. Kamiakin put up a long drive that took up almost the entire third quarter. The possession paid off as Korbyn Hopwood found his way in for the touchdown on the 2-yard run. The Braves led 27-17 going into the fourth quarter.

Disaster would strike for Bethel after what looked like a promising drive, as a mishandled snap caused a fumble. Korbyn Hopwood recovered the ball and gave the ball right back into Kamiakin’s hands. In what would end up being the dagger into the heart of the Bison, Jagger McEwen found a wide-open Michael Kori for the 63-yard touchdown to bring the score to 34-17. The momentum was now fully on the side of Kamiakin, and their defense forced Bethel to punt on their next drive from their own end zone. Bethel would cause a turnover on downs and take the ball back over.

The Bison stormed down the field quickly in big part due to Rayden Shanks, who made multiple great catches for 30 yards. The Braves’ defense would hold off Bethel and force a field goal. Kamiakin’s Korbyn Hopwood would ice the game with a first down, and time would expire. Kamiakin took home the 34-20 win and earned its way into the state tournament, and Bethel’s season came to an end.

MVP and Stats

Our MVP of the game went to Michael Kori, who had 4 catches for 102 yards and a 63-yard touchdown, as well as game-changing defense in the secondary for the Braves. He came up big in one of the most important games of his life and his team’s season, and put the dagger into Bethel’s season. Other notable names for Kamiakin are Korbyn Hopwood, who had 18 carries for 102 yards and two touchdowns and a fumble recovery. Jagger McEwen went 10/20 passing with 221 yards and 3 touchdowns, and an interception. Mason Severson had a big receiving day with 4 catches for 9 yards and a touchdown. Easton Stephens had a touchdown as well for the Braves. Also, likely the biggest difference in the game was the secondary of Kamiakin, who went one-on-one with one of the best players in the state in Zak Fruen, and held him to only 30 yards. Noah Starr emphasized the defensive production with an interception in single coverage, which could have single-handedly changed the entire dynamic of the game.

Bethel played a great game and had many contributors on all sides of the ball. Evan Barnes went 10/23 passing with 103 yards and an interception. He had a rushing touchdown as well. Mustapha Lumeh had 8 carries for 30 yards and a touchdown. Ethan Schuppener had 13 carries for 68 yards on the day. Zak Fruen was dominant on defense and made dynamic plays all throughout the game at linebacker. Luke Mackey also had two big field goals in the game, one for 37 yards and the other for 27 yards.

Kamiakin punches their ticket into the state tournament, and Bethel’s season comes to a close. A great season for Bethel to remember, and best of luck to all seniors as their high school football careers come to an end.

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