By Gerardo Bolong
PUYALLUP - Quarterback Jake Holcomb and the Viking offense upstaged quarterback Sam Huard and the Lancers' proficient attack on Fri., Nov. 2, at Sparks Stadium.
Three consecutive scoring possessions by state third-ranked 4A Puyallup (9-1) in the third quarter blasted away a 27-24 deficit on the way to a furious 65-35 defeat of Kennedy Catholic (6-4) on Fri., Nov. 2, at Sparks Stadium.
The Kennedy defense was exploited regularly once the second half began.
Cohen Cleek grabbed a 13-yard touchdown catch following rushing touchdowns of three yards by Cramer and a an eight-yard touchdown by Danny Uluika for a 45-27 lead with 3:47 remaining in the third quarter to put the Vikings safely ahead.
Kennedy struck back with on a Huard to Shumpert 38-yard TD pass on fourth down to bring KC within 45-35 with the added two-point conversion as 1:12 remained in the third quarter, but the Vikings fired back in the fourth quarterback when Holcomb combined with Justin Baker for a 13-yard TD and added another touchdown pass with  Michael Snyder's eight-yard rushing TD to finally close out the fourth quarter and game scoring.
The Viking pass rush and defensive backs limited Huard to more short range routes, although the Lancers still got off a few long bombs.
For the initial 24 minutes, the game was nearly all parts offense for each team with defensive stops at a minimum.
After Kennedy took the opening kick off, the Lancers moved the ball on offense 19 yards before failing with an incomplete pass on fourth and seven on their own 45.
The Vikings marched down the field in eight plays, but had to settle for 22-yard field goal by Carter Pierce with 8:07 left in the first quarter.
As his offensive line afforded him excellent pocket protection, Lancer quarterback Sam Huard resembled a left handed gunslinger, shooting passes continually as evidenced by a 78-yard touchdown pass to Jabez Tinae to take an early 6-3 lead.
After punting on its next two possessions, Puyallup regained the lead when Holcomb connected with Morrison on an 18-yard TD.
Another pass from Holcomb to a completely wide open Ethan Steward for a 31-yard score padded the Viking lead to 17-6 early in the second quarter.
Huard retaliated for Kennedy Catholic on a 36-yard touchdown pass to a leaping Reed Shumpter on the next drive.
Puyallup fumbled to the Lancers on its own 29-yard line set up another KC TD when Huard collaborated with Tinae for an eight-yard score and a two-point conversion that had the Lancers ahead 20-17.

Kennedy Catholic extended the margin on a 33-yard pass from Huard to Junior Alexander to gain a two possession lead.
Puyallup cut the Lancer lead down to 27-24 on a Holcomb 10-yard keeper to set the stage for the second half.
"I knew this one meant a lot to Sam, and I'm proud of the way he played with poise all night," said Kennedy coach Sheldon Cross. "He got better every game. He's a stud."
Being around the tradition of former Puyallup Viking in the personages of former Vikings such as father Damon Huard, uncles Brock and Luke Huard and grandfather Mike Huard, who coached very successfully in the Puyallup football program from 1981-1997, Sam Huard completed 33 of 52 passes for 526 yards and five touchdown against the modern day Vikings to close out his season with 4,165 yards passing and 42 touchdown passes, but in the end it was the purple-clad Vikings that were nearly unstoppable.
Holcomb posted 449 yards of total offense, completing 23 of 33 passes for 373 yards and five TDs. His added rushing touchdown was part of the Viking offensive irresistible force that matriculated the ball down the field for 633 yards versus the Lancers' 533.
Also adding to the Viking offensive might was runningback Kyle Cramer, who rushed for 199 yards om 17 carries plus two touchdowns. Justin Haase grabbed four passes for 134 yards receiving and hauled in a pair of TDs.
Jabez Tinae made 12 catches for 224 yards and two TDs as Huard's prime receiver.