Thomas Jefferson played Kentridge for a good portion of its South Puget Sound League North Division game against the Chargers Friday, but the game got away in the second half with Kentridge going on to a 41-7 lead. The Raiders had only trailed, 7-0, at the end of the first quarter and 21-0 at halftime.

“We played a good first half,” said TJ head coach Dean Peck. “I think our defense has really improved. That’s hard to believe when you see a 41 on the scoreboard, but a lot of them (touchdowns) were when the offense gave them the ball.”

The teams took turns marching down the field but not scoring through most of the first half, but Kentridge put the first points on the Federal Way Memorial Stadium scoreboard with 1:12 to play in the first quarter.

Jason Didus used the big play, catching a pass from quarterback Caleb Smith and running to complete a 74-yard passing touchdown. Wes Concepcion kicked for the extra point to put the Chargers up, 7-0.

Scoring was also sparse in the second quarter before Kentridge scored two touchdowns in the final 1:16.

Smith struck on a 16-yard option run around the right end at that time and Concepcion’s conversion kick padded the lead to 14-0. A blocked punt set that score up 32 yards from paydirt..

Kentridge got the ball back at its own 37 on another fumble and quickly marched to the end zone.

The Chargers gained 35 yards the first play on a Smith pass to Cameron McKernan. Alex Tyson then punched the ball in on a 2-yard run and Concepcion was successful once again on the PAT to make it 21-0 with 27.4 seconds to go until halftime.

The second half started off looking like it would be scoreless action before Kentridge took over on a fourth down incomplete pass with 7:25 left in the third quarter and scored with 4:05 to go. Devin Topps ran 10 yards around the left end for the score, but Concepcion’s kick was blocked to leave the margin at 27-0.

Seven more points were tacked on with 2:17 remaining in the third quarter. Topps ran in from two yards out and Concepcion’s kick upped the margin to 34-0.

Thomas Jefferson finally made it into the end zone after knocking on the door several times in the game. Spencer Hicks caught a 24-yard touchdown pass from KW Williams at 4:17 to go in the fourth quarter. Thomas Goldingay kicked the extra points as the Raiders cut the margin to 34-7.

Kentridge widened its final cushion to 41-7 when Concepcion booted the PAT after a 39-yard touchdown run by Alec McKenzie.

TJ’s next attempt at win No. 1 for the season is at 7 p.m. Thursday against Kentlake at French Field.