Kainoa Brown’s late-game 15-yard touchdown run sealed Mercer Island’s 40-30 victory over Kelso in Saturday’s Week 10 3A state preliminary round game at Kelso’s Schroeder Field.
After a 14-7 halftime advantage for the visiting Islanders, both teams combined to score 36 fourth-quarter points. Kelso pulled within 33-30 on consecutive touchdown receptions by Bryce Collins (5 yards) and Bryar Issings (25) and successful 2-point conversion runs on both after Mercer Island opened the fourth quarter with consecutive touchdowns of its own.
Mercer Island used a 2-minute scoring drive for its final touchdown by Brown.
Kelso running back Aden Mintonyae had a game-high 231 yards on 32 carries, including two touchdowns. Amrine finished 12 of 19 passing for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Class 2A
WEST VALLEY (SPOKANE) 21, MARK MORRIS 6 — The 2A GSHL’s fourth-place team held the undefeated Eagles in check all game behind what Monarchs coach Mike Peck called a “phenomenal” defensive effort, despite early miscues.
West Valley led 14-0 entering the fourth quarter. Mark Morris began the fourth inside the West Valley 10 for its touchdown — one of multiple drives reaching inside the 30 throughout the game, Peck said.
Peck highlighted Kenny Mullen’s performance and the offensive line for how it controlled the game up front.
“I’m incredibly proud of our guys,” Peck said, “for traveling nine hours and going toe-to-toe with the No. 5 team in the state.”
Mark Morris finishes its first season under Peck at 4-6.
FRANKLIN PIERCE 76, COLUMBIA RIVER 14 — The Cardinals of Tacoma, champions of the 2A South Puget Sound League, ended River’s first playoff-bound season since 2021 at 4-6 overall.
Franklin Pierce jumped out to leads of 22-7 after the first quarter and 44-14 at halftime.
Class 1A
LYNDEN CHRISTIAN 49, KING’S WAY CHRISTIAN 0 — The Knights’ first playoff-bound season since 2019 ends with a road loss in Whatcom County.
KING’S 45, KALAMA 20 — The Knights rushed out to a 31-0 lead 1 minute into the second quarter on their way to defeating the Chinooks in their 1A state preliminary round game.
