10/30/2026
Emerald Ridge 45, Bethel 28
(Puyallup, WA) Momentum was the key on Friday afternoon as the #3 seeds from the SPSL South and SPSL North got an opportunity to create momentum going into the playoffs. Both the Bethel Bison and Emerald Ridge Jaguars had already punched their tickets to the Round of 32 but one would be able to go into the postseason coming off a win while one would be limping into the playoffs. Bethel entered Friday looking to bounce back after a very close loss to Olympia that could have moved them up to the #2 seed while Emerald Ridge was also coming off of a loss when they were shutout by Puyallup.
1st Half
It was Bethel football to get things going in week 9 and they leaned on Deron Williams to try to make something happen. The Bison did pick up a couple of first downs but went backwards on a loss of four which stopped that drive and put the Emerald Ridge offense on the field for the first time. Brayden Paulino who hit Hunter Rusler for 12 yards on a screen to prevent a three-and-out for the Jags. The next play was bigger and better as Tre Robinson took a carry and was gone for a 65-yard touchdown on his first carry of the game. One big play and Emerald Ridge was on the board leading 7-0.
It was a three-and-out right away for Bethel that put the Jaguars back on the field again. They would once again go down the field thanks to an explosive play on a 45-yard pass from Brayden Paulino to Tim Woodard that put the Jags inside the 10. Quintin Gardley would immediately get in for the 6-yard score to make it 14-0. Bethel’s next drive stalled after a 21-yard pass from Gavin O’Malley to Rayden Shanks as penalties backed them up 25 yards and led to a punt. More explosive plays from Emerald Ridge got them down the field with a 27-yard run by Tre Robsinson being the big highlight. They settled for a 26-yard field goal by Benaiah Sahlberg to lead 17-0 in the 2nd quarter.
Needing points badly before the half, Bethel would lean on quarterback Gavin O’Malley and he knew exactly who to throw the ball to on an important drive. O’Malley fed the ball to Rayden Shanks and the tight end hauled in three passes for 34 yards on that drive alone. They would work down inside the 10 when Deron Williams was called upon, catching a screen pass for 14 yards to get the Bison down to the one. He would then finish what he started with a one-yard touchdown run to get Bethel on the board. Good tackling by Bethel’s defense burned the Emerald Ridge timeouts and the rest of the 2nd quarter clock as we went to halftime with Emerald Ridge leading 17-7.
2nd Half
It would be ER football to start the second half with the lead and the ball favoring the home team. An early third down would quickly be erased as Brayden Paulino went to Hunter Rusler on a post route for 40 yards to put the Jags into Bethel territory with Paulino a perfect 8/8 through the air. It was the Quintin Gardley show after that as the senior running back took the ball on the next three snaps 35 yards total, ending with a 16-yard touchdown to widen the Emerald Ridge lead to 24-7.
That seemed like it could be the knockout blow but the Bison weren’t going to just quit. Bethel sent their offense onto the field after a great return by Connor Sarmiento put the ball at the 42 of Emerald Ridge. A 17-yard pass from Gavin O’Malley to Anthony Penueta led to a 25-yard touchdown run by Deron Williams, making it 24-14. A personal foul and offsides had Bethel kick-off from the Jaguars 40 and head coach Travis Domser dialed up an onside kick which was executed to perfection as Luke Mackey recovered his own kick. Deron Williams made it three consecutive carries for a touchdown as he broke a 28-yarder to make it 24-21 in the blink of an eye.
A touchback would have Emerald Ridge get their offense back on the field at their own 20. A 17-yard pass from Paulino to Woodard had the Jaguars marching after some adversity. An offsides moved Emerald Ridge into Bethel territory but things then went very wrong for the Jaguar offense. Brayden Paulino was looking for William Norris but Ioelu Feo was there for the interception. A tremendous return saw Feo weave his way 51 yards to the house for a pick six. From being down for the count to scoring 21 unanswered points and Bethel found themselves in the lead for the first time, 28-24.
Whatever head coach Torey Donovan told his guys, it brought the spark back for Emerald Ridge. A phenomenal kick return by Hunter Rusler would give the Jaguars the ball at the Bethel 37-yard line as they looked to go back in front quickly. Aiden Panlilio and Tre Robinson worked the ball to the three before Quintin Gardley did the rest with a three-yard score for his third touchdown of the game. A fumble a few plays later would be recovered by Adrien Tela and on the very next play a reverse to Miguel Martinez went for a 32-yard touchdown. That quickly things turned as a wild 42-point 3rd quarter ended with Emerald Ridge back in front 38-28.
A penalty turned a 3rd and one into a 3rd and 11 which led to a punt for Bethel with Emerald Ridge getting the ball back up by 10. It was more Quintin Gardley and Tre Robinson as the Emerald Ridge rushing attack seemed to finally gas out the Bethel Bison defense. It would be Aiden Panlilio finishing the 82-yard drive with a 12-yard touchdown before Benaiah Sahlberg hit the extra point to make it a 17-point game and a three score lead. An interception by Moose Masaniai finished things off as Emerald Ridge scored the final 21-points to survive a wild second half to defeat the Bethel Bison, 45-28.
Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP
The West 42 Sports crew decided on Quintin Gardley as the Sumner Holiday Inn Express MVP of the game. Gardley, with three touchdowns and 83 rushing yards, was critical on the defensive side of the ball as well to earn the award.
Stats
While Gardley was the star in the second half for Emerald Ridge’s offense, but he was just one cog in the machine. Tre Robinson had a huge night on the ground as well with 11 carries for 154 yards and a touchdown while Aiden Panlilio had a nice game with four carries for 51 yards and a touchdown. Miguel Martinez would also have a touchdown on his two carries for 34 yards and Donal Robertson had two carries for four yards. Moose Masaniai was bottled up with four carries for five yards but did have a couple of catches for 15 yards. Brayden Paulino was a true duel-threat with five carries for five yards while also going 9/10 for 162 yards through the air. Tim Woodard had a big day with four catches for 66 yards while Hunter Rusler had two catches for 52 yards. Donald Robertson also had a 29-yard catch. For the Jaguar defense, Adrien Tela recovered a fumble while Moose Masaniai had an interception as well. Benaiah Sahlberg was a perfect 6/6 on extra points and also nailed a 26-yard field goal.
Bethel had one player stand out offensively and that was Deron Williams who carried the ball 18 times for 111 yards and three touchdowns as the only ball carrier for the Bison. Gavin O’Malley had a nice game, going 10/19 passing for 106 yards as well, finding four different receivers. Rayden Shanks was the star in the passing game with six catches for 67 yards. Deron Williams had a 14-yard catch while Anthony Penueta had a 17-yard reception. Dylan Burton hauled in two catches for eight yards. On defense, Ioelu Feo had the big play with a pick six while Ashton Clark had a tackle for a loss and Jayden Atkinson-Farley had a sack. Luke Mackey was 4/4 on extra points and also recovered his own onside kick.
What’s Next
Emerald Ridge finishes the season 7-2 as the Jaguars will make their return to the state playoffs after missing last season. The Bethel Bison fall to 3-6 on the year but will also be in the Round of 32 next week. Those matchups will be released on Sunday with Emerald Ridge likely hosting while Bethel will likely be on the road.
Watch the full game replay on the NFHS Network (subscription required)
West 42 Sports Post-Game Show
Video highlights
Emerald Ridge strikes first 65-yd TD for Tre Robinson
Emerald Ridge strikes quickly in the third quarter to take a 24-to-nothing lead.
Bethel’s Deron Williams goes 28 yards for the touchdown
Ioelu Feo picks off the pass and takes it to the house for a 51-yard pick 6
Emerald Ridge scores a 32-yard touchdown from Miguel Martinez over the right side for 6.
Www.west42sports.com