So far this season Sumner has been lauded for its explosive offensive backfield, but in a crucial SPSL 2A showdown with Orting it was its defense and special teams that provided the fireworks.

The Spartans defense held strong on fourth down twice in the final minutes to deny a pair of promising drives by Orting, and a blocked extra point in the second quarter proved to be the difference during a nail-biting 14-13 win on the road.

Lokahi Kamau finished with 144 yards rushing and two touchdowns to lead Sumner. Teammate Jeremy Jackson added 40 more tough yards on the ground. Orting’s Jaysen Yoro had 145 yards and two scores.

“This is definitely a booster for us,” Kamau said. “This was supposed to be a big game, and it was, but now we just go on to the next game. I don’t think anybody thought that blocked kick was going to be the difference, but you have to keep that in mind, that it can come back to that one play.”