10/23/2026
Federal Way 28, White River 27
(Federal Way, WA) coming into this ball game, Federal Way was sitting in second place in the NPSL with a 5-1 record, just behind the White River Hornets at 4-2. This game would go a long way in determining the upcoming postseason positioning and seeding. Undefeated Enumclaw sits atop the NPSL and has wins over both Federal Way and White River. Also still in the mix: Decatur at 5-2 and Auburn Mountain View at 4-3.
The opening drive of the game was going to show you just exactly what this game was going to be all about. White River drove the ball all the way down to the 2-yard line, a 4th and goal from the 2, and got stuffed by Federal Way, turning the ball over on downs.
Federal Way took over on their own 1-yard line and would go 99 yards, capped off with a 60-yard touchdown run by Ray Rondin. Rondin took the pitch and swept around the right end and was untouched for the 60-yard dash.
White River had answers but at one point Federal Way stretched their lead to 28-14, when the Hornets were able to pull back within one score. In a final drive for White River they knew they had to get into the end zone. They got the ball down to the 4-yard line in a 4th and 4. Quarterback Chaz Strickland dropped back and found Parker Fry on the left side of the end zone to pull within one point with about 1:10 left to go in the ballgame.
White River head coach Wyatt Evanson decided to go for two and go for the win. The Hornets dove deep into their playbook and came up with a halfback pass play. There were two open receivers but Parker Fry could not find either one of them and the ball fell to the ground in between those receivers. The Hornets ended up short, losing 28 to 27.
For a deeper dive into this ball game, check out the West 42 Sports postgame show. It’s just below. Just click on it and the West 42 Sports crew will break down this exciting Eagles win over a resilient White River Hornet team.
Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the Game
Trying to decide tonight’s Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the Game. It always goes to the winning side. A whole host of players could have gotten it but the sports crew couldn’t decide. They knew the defense had a spectacular game with a couple of goal-line stands so they gave the whole defense the MVP of the Game. The Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the Game goes to the Federal Way Eagles defense.
What’s Next?
Federal Way is now 6-1, a game behind Enumclaw, and their conference schedule is in the books. Up next for Federal Way will be a non-conference game against Sunnyside. This was supposed to be the weekend that Federal Way played Todd Beamer but Todd Beamer has forfeited their season and will not play the Eagles.
White River officially has a 4-3 record because, at the time, Todd Beamer did forfeit their game to them but it was before they decided to pull their whole team for the season. Technically they’re either 4-3 or 3-3 but they’ll wrap up their season this coming Friday against Kentlake at French Field with a 7:30 kickoff.
Link to watch full game replay on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
West 42 Sports Postgame Show
Video Highlights
Eagles defense denies the Hornets at the goal line.
Federal Way strikes first on a Ray Rondon 60-yard run
Eagles QB Cordae Norling with a perfect bucket drop into the arms of Justin Suega for 6
QB Chaz Strickland with a dart to Parker Fry to pull within 1 pending the PAT
The Hornets halfback pass did not work against the Eagle defense
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