Turning back Todd Beamer High's advances time and again, Federal Way dug deep and a held on for a nail-biting 40-35 win Friday in South Puget Sound League South Division action at Federal Way Memorial Stadium.

Quarterback Nick Tanielu fired touchdown passes of 47 and 53 yards to fleet-footed wide-receiver MichaelTate and DJ May added a 28-yard TD run to enable the Eagles to erase a 10-point, third-quarter deficit and seal the victory.

Tanielu completed 16-of-22 passes for 306 yards.

"I'm proud of the way our guys came back from adversity," said FW coach John Meagher.

He said the win was all that more satisfying because the Eagles (2-4, 2-4) have been less resilient in earlier games.

The Eagles' comeback muted a sensational 377-yard rushing effort by Beamer quarterback TJ Esekielu, who carried the ball 39 times and scored on 62- and 22-yard runs.

"He's a helluva player," Meagher said. "We tried everything to stop him."

Tate, a sophomore, had a fine effort himself, hauling in seven catches for 246 yards and two touchdowns.

"It was a breakout game for him," Meagher said.

On the first touchdown catch, Tate, a track athlete, caught the ball, stopped, made a spin move to his left and then ran into the end zone unimpeded. On the other, he caught the pass on a go pattern against double coverage down the left sideline.

How did he do it?

"Speed and having a good quarterback to put the ball up so I can get it," Tate said.

What was your team's state of mind when you were down 29-19 in the third quarter?

"We expected our leaders to step up and make plays."

After May -- who rushed for 143 yards on 24 carries -- scored to give the Eagles a 40-35 lead, Beamer (2-3, 2-4) mounted its last drive with 18 seconds left in the third quarter.

Eskelieu gained 29 yards on three carries to put the Titans at the FW 28, the latter coming on a 7-yard run on a 1-and-15 play after a delay-of-game penalty.

An incompletion and junior linebacker Jordan Pulu's stop of Esekielu for no gain forced a 4-and-8. Esekielu then dropped back and threw a pass that went through his receiver's outstretched hands, giving the ball back to the Eagles.

Federal Way then put together a time-consuming, 17-play drive that ran out the clock.

Earlier, the Titans looked like they were in control, taking a 29-19 advantage with 10:46 remaining in the third quarter. Beamer defensive back Nick Bod set up the drive with an interception to begin the quarter.

Working from his own 35, Esekielu gained 65 yards on four carries, including an 18-yard TD run on a draw.

After the Eagles closed the gap to 29-26, Beamer came right back to score. Eskekielu, with blocker Joshua Pease leading the way, broke free for 46 yards down the left sideline and a first down at the FW 25. A holding penalty and a one-yard loss put the ball back at the FW 38.

Esekielu then hit wide receiver Willie Roach on a post for a 38-yard touchdown and a 35-26 Beamer lead.

In the first half, meanwhile, Beamer broke a 13-all tie when defensive tackle Marley Liulama tackled May in the end zone for a safety. The Eagles were hemmed in at their own 3 after defensive back Marcel Morris' interception.

On FW's first play from scrimmage, Liulama burst through the line and wrapped up Mays for a safety near the back of the end zone after Mays had taken a pitch.

It took Beamer only four plays to score after getting possession. Esekielu gained 53 yards on three carries and Liulama scored on a one-yard plunge to make it 22-13.

With 56 seconds remaining in the first half, the Eagles answered, utilizing a 59-yard pass from Tanielu to Tate down the left sideline to set up Tanielu's 4-yard TD pass to running back Stanley Matau to cut the lead to 22-19.

Beamer defensive tackle Michael Riedel blocked the PAT.

Sophomore kicker Koby Craig booted 28- and 32-yard, first-half field goals to keep the Eagles within striking distance.

Auburn-RIverside 30, Thomas Jefferson 22 -- TJ quarterback KW Williams scored two rushing touchdowns and fired a 63-yard TD pass to tight end Gunner Sonnenfeld.

Local sports notes -- Federal Way grad Travis Ishikawa, playing for the San Francisco Giants, scored the tying run in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Divison Series. With the score 1-0 and one out, Ishikawa walked, advanced to second on a single and then scored on Aubrey Huff's single. Ishikawa slapped his hands, raised his fist as he scored and was greeted by his ecstatic teammates in the dugout. San Francisco won the game, 2-1, taking a 2-1 series lead.