Spanaway Lake scores go-ahead touchdown in final minute to defeat Yelm 17-13

The Yelm High School football team experienced homecoming heartbreak on Friday, Sept. 26, in the team’s first South Puget Sound League matchup of the year, as the Spanaway Lake Sentinels found the endzone with under a minute remaining to take a 17-13 lead and the eventual victory.

Yelm’s offense received the football with roughly 40 seconds remaining, and due to a shanked kickoff, the team started with decent field position on its own 42-yardline. However, after four attempts to move the ball downfield, the Tornados quarterback, senior Owen Sletten, was intercepted by a defensive back to ice the victory for Spanaway Lake.

The Tornados trailed 10-0 entering halftime, but displayed grit and attempted a second-half comeback. Senior running back Sam DeJiacomo continued to run the football successfully for Yelm. He scored both of the team’s touchdowns in the contest. He found the endzone in the third quarter, after a 10-yard rushing touchdown, to bring the Tornados within four points of SLHS after a missed PAT.

In the fourth quarter, DeJiacomo found the endzone yet again after an 8-yard rush to give his team a 13-10 lead following a successful PAT by senior kicker Sterling Temple.

Following the Tornados’ go-ahead touchdown, SLHS put together a seven-play drive, resulting in the go-ahead rushing touchdown with under a minute remaining. Ultimately, Spanaway Lake defeated Yelm 17-13.