10/1/2026
Washington 41, Clover Park 0
(Lakewood, WA) Thursday night lights was the stage for an SPSL 2A matchup as the Washington Patriots visited the Clover Park Timberwolves at Harry E. Lang Stadium. After a very close game between the two teams last season that was won by Washington 26-25, Clover Park would have their sights set on some revenge. The Timberwolves entered the game on a three-game losing streak after being shutout in back-to-back weeks by the top two teams in the league in Franklin Pierce and Orting. Meanwhile, Washington was coming off their first win of the season in a tight 15-14 victory over Eatonville to move them to 1-1 in league play. One of these teams would get off to a strong start in the month of October while the Halloween scares started a little early for the other.
1st Half
Washington got the ball to begin the game and things weren’t smooth after a few incomplete passes from Ry Tuivaiave. The Patriots settled in after that with the ground game as Harel Sam broke a 27-yard run to spark the offense. Sam then found the endzone with a 13-yard score to put Washington on the board. A surprise onside kick by Felix Garcia Collins was recovered by Collins himself to give Washington another possession. A 38-yard pass to Brandawn Laititi set up a one-yard QB sneak by Tuivaiave to make it 13-0. Another onside kick was recovered by Washington but a fumble finally allowed the Clover Park offense to take the field.
Clover Park started nicely with an 11-yard carry for Tahj Sophal, but the T-Wolves then stalled out. Washington would then be very methodical as they marched down the field for a drive that lasted 9 1/2 minutes and took up half of the second quarter. The Patriots converted three fourth downs, including a fake punt by Brandawn Laititi that turned into a 20-yard pass to Andres Ramirez. The trickery continued as a halfback pass by Harel Sam was caught by Blaise Wicks for a nine-yard score. Clover Park then got an explosive 88-yard kick return by Alexander Charles to put them at the Washington 10, but Charles was injured on the play and that forced Donte Roberts to take over at quarterback. Clover Park just went backwards from there and Washington put together a nice two-minute drive that ended with a screen pass from Ry Tuivaiave to Brandawn Laititi to make it 27-0 at halftime.
2nd Half
It was all Washington in the second half as well. They ran 51 plays to just 27 for Clover Park. Ry Tuivaiave would really make this game a blowout despite just throwing one pass in the second half. That lone pass was a 15-yard touchdown to Abel Vaetoe but it wasn’t just Tuivaiave’s arm. After leaning on Mike Taele on the ground, Tuivaiave used his legs to scramble for a 13-yard touchdown to send us to a running clock. The teams traded some fumbles but the dominance at the line of scrimmage by the Patriots was the deciding factor in this one. Washington completed the shutout to earn a second consecutive win, defeating Clover Park 41-0.
Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the Game
Our Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the game went to Washington’s quarterback in Ry Tuivaiave. The senior got off to a bumpy start but settled in as the ground game got going including Tuivaiave using his own legs to move the ball. He also controlled the pocket very well, keeping his eyes downfield when he did deal with pressure. Tuivaiave went 11/17 passing for 168 yards and two touchdowns while running the ball nine times for 22 yards and two touchdowns in a very efficient outing.
Stats
Elsewhere for Washington, Andres Ramirez tallied five carries for 22 yards and also had a 20-yard reception. Harel Sam was incredible early with four carries for 46 yards and a score plus two catches for 27 yards and even completed a nine-yard touchdown pass. Mike Taele had four carries for 27 yards and Ano Galeai had four carries for 16 yards. Blaise Wicks would have a one-yard run but also added two catches for 18 yards and a touchdown. Abel Vaetoe had a seven-yard carry while catching five passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. Brandawn Laititi completed a 20-yard pass while catching three passes for 76 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Scott Austin and Tristan Liulevaega each had a sack while Felix Garcia Collins went 5/6 on extra points and had two onside kicks recovered plus a recovered pooch kick to earn Washington three extra possessions.
For the Clover Park Timberwolves, the offense really struggled. Tahj Sophal had seven carries for 27 yards and Dezmond Ingram had seven carries for 34 yards. Jamarri Adams carried the ball four times for nine yards. Alexander Charles had an explosive 88-yard kick return and also carries the ball three times for two yards. Donte Roberts had three carries and two incomplete passes and Aston Charles had a carry as well. Defensively, Jessie Arua had two tackles for a loss and a fumble recovery. Tautua Talita also recovered a fumble while Jamarri Adams and Leonidas Ostrowski each recorded a sack.
What’s Next?
It is the second consecutive win for the Washington Patriots as they move to 2-3 on the season and 2-1 in SPSL 2A play. A big game awaits the Patriots at home next week when they host Steilacoom on Friday at 7pm. Clover Park falls to 1-4 on the year and 0-3 in league play. The Timberwolves look to earn their first league win as they host Eatonville, also on Friday night at 7pm.
Link to watch full game replay on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
West 42 Sports Postgame Show
Video Highlights
Halfback Pass for a Touchdown
Charles Return Sparks Clover Park
Washington Screen Goes for a Score
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