Don’t call it an upset.
Although Auburn Mountainview’s 30-26 win against South Puget Sound League 3A rival Bonney Lake last Saturday might have stunned some, it wasn’t much of a surprise to Lions coach Jared Gervais.
“I don’t think it was an upset,” Gervais said. “They were 3-5 coming in and we were 2-6. They were favored maybe because it was at their place, but it definitely wasn’t a shocker.”
The win not only earned Auburn Mountainview (2-3 league, 3-6 overall) third place in the SPSL 3A and the league’s final district playoff spot, but it also knocked the Panthers (2-3, 3-6) out of postseason contention.
Auburn Mountainview opens the playoffs at heralded Mount Si of Snoqualmie (8-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Wildcats finished second to Bellevue in the Kingco 3A race.
Against Bonney Lake, the Lions got off to a quick start in the game when senior quarterback Domenic Rockey threw a 60-yard touchdown pass to senior Devin Bryant.
Senior Elliot Pelfrey returned an interception 83 yards for another touchdown in the first quarter.
Bonney Lake battled back in the second quarter to tie it up at the half, 14-14.
“Third quarter we came out and got a couple of scores, and in the fourth we just held on for the win,” Gervais said.
In the third quarter, junior Ray Hardaway added a rushing touchdown with all-purpose threat Joey Cassano chipping in with a 35-yard field goal.
Also in the quarter, Cassano hooked up with senior receiver Kekoa Nahaku for a 65-yard touchdown pass.
In the fourth, Bonney Lake running back E.J. Harris scored two rushing touchdowns, bringing his game total to three.
For Auburn Mountainview, Rockey finished the game with 133 yards on 11-of-17 passing with a touchdown and an interception.
Hardaway had 123 yards rushing on 26 carries with a touchdown.
Nahaku finished with three receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown, with Cassano adding three receptions for 37 yards. Senior JJ Lacey had three catches for 20 yards and Bryant had two catches for 67 yards and a touchdown.
The Lions now turn their attention to the playoffs.
“We have to come out and keep doing what we’re doing and worry about Auburn Mountainview,” Gervais said. “When we’re playing like we can, then we can go up there and maybe surprise a bunch of people.”
