These Curtis and Puyallup football games have traditionally gone down to the wire in the South Puget Sound League.

And Friday was no exception.

Curtis took the lead with 90 seconds to go only – only to watch Puyallup drive the length of the field in the final minute to wrestle away a 35-28 SPSL South victory in University Place.

Rhys Gervais, the Puyallup quarterback, converted a fourth-and-15 with an 18-yard pass to Matt Becker, then tossed the game-winner to Nic Wisor on a 13-yarder with 40 seconds remaining.

“The kids did it themselves,” Puyallup coach Gary Jeffers said. “We have been working on belief, and we really believe in the system.

“If you have enough tools in the toolbox, you just have to find the right wrench.”

Especially with the pressure ratcheted up.

Puyallup clung to a 27-21 leads when Curtis scored for the final time – Ty Saathhoff’s 22-yard strike to E.J. Deveaux with 1:25 remaining.

Puyallup took the kickoff back to its 40-yard line, and took 45 seconds on Gervais’ arm to win the game.

“Rhys is a very accurate thrower,” Jeffers said.