Todd Beamer may have had the player of the game in running back Lamardray Fuller -- or he may become the player of the year for the South Puget Sound League South Division, for that matter.
But unfortunately for Fuller and the Titans, Thursday's game against Emerald Ridge of Puyallup got away in the end by a 48-34 score.
"The kids played all four quarters," said first year Todd Beamer head coach Gem Abe. "We played hard, but we couldn't make some key stops."
Everyone on the field and in the stands found out that Fuller can play hard.
Fuller rolled off defenders almost gracefully or powered his way through, then used his after burners to leave most everybody behind when he got into the open.
Fuller gained 140 yards in seven carries over the first half Thursday and picked up 80 on 14 in the second half for a total of 220 yards in 21 carries.
"I got real good play out of Lamardray," said Abe of Fuller, who also amassed 305 yards against Thomas Jefferson on the opening day of the season.
Fuller finished with three touchdowns to cap off his evening, scoring on a 68-yard run in the first quarter. He added a 5-yard touchdown run and a 15-yard touchdown run in the third quarter.
But it was Emerald Ridge that scored first for a 6-0 lead. Quarterback Logan Bushnell threw to Joey Williamson for the 7-yard score.
Beamer came back to score on only the second play from scrimmage after the ensuing kickoff, as Fuller ran for his 68-yard score. Vinny Dom kicked the extra point for a 7-6 Titans lead with 2:51 to play in the first quarter.
The Jaguars answered with 1:55 left when Bushnell passed to Michael Guimond for a 50-yard play. Braedan Binkiewicz ran for the two-point conversion to make it 14-7.
Emerald Ridge built on its lead in the second quarter as Bushnell struck on a 10-yard keeper and Sean Halligan kicked the PAT.
Todd Beamer came back to tie it at 21-21 in the third quarter. Fuller scored on his 5-yard run with 8:00 left in the quarter and on his 15-yard run at the 5:55 mark. Dom kicked both PATs to knot the score.
Ryan Sallas snapped the tie with 30 seconds left in the third quarter on a 2-yard run. Even though the PAT failed, the Jaguars were on top to stay.
Bushnell struck on a 1-yard run and Tom Halsey ran for two to up the score to 35-21.
Christian Cooper passed to Dade Glaser for a 45-yard Todd Beamer touchdown soon thereafter and Dom made his kick to close the gap back to 35-28.
Drake Wilkins scored a 1-yard TD for the Jaguars and Halsey ran for two more and its was now 42-28.
A fumble on the ensuing kickoff allowed the Jaguars to keep the ball. Nick Iza scored five plays later on a 5-yard run and a missed kick left the score at 48-28 with two seconds left.
The Titans got the final word in at the final whistle, as Josh Waller caught a pass from Glaser and rumbled 79 yards for a touchdown that put the final score at 48-34.
"Kudos to them (Emerald Ridge) for making the big plays when they needed to make the big plays," said Abe.