Now they are in.

Federal Way wrapped up one of four South Puget Sound League North Division berths into the postseason when it rolled to a 41-8 victory over Kent-Meridian at French Field in Kent last Thursday, Oct. 22.

The Eagles improved their SPSL North record to 5-2 and their overall mark to 6-2 with the win over the winless Royals.

Auburn still leads the division with a 6-0, 7-0 record and Kentridge is in second at 5-1, 5-2. Fourth place Kentwood is right with the Eagles at 4-2, 5-2.

Federal Way hosts Thomas Jefferson (1-6, 1-7) for its final SPSL North game of the year at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 before going on to the playoffs. Third place pits the Eagles against Kingco No. 3 Skyway or Bothell to open the party and fourth place leaves them to play Narrows No. 5.

"We're in the playoffs," said Federal Way head coach John Meagher. "Kentwood or Kentridge will determine if we're third or fourth."

The Eagles flew out to a 10-0 lead on Kent-Meridian in the berth clinching win.

"We came out good, with 10 points in a row," Meagher said.

Trenton Pinson started them off by punching in a 1-yard touchdown with 8:17 left in the first quarter. Kelyn Rowe kicked the extra point.

Rowe then padded the lead with 3:12 remaining in the quarter, slipping a 44-yard field goal through the uprights. Rowe was low on a 48-yard try with 21.2 seconds left."

"Our kicker makes a big difference," said Meagher of Rowe, who blasts kickoffs through the end zone on almost every try for touchbacks.

"He makes touchbacks, field goals and all of the extra points he has tried."

The Royals got eight points back on the deficit when they scored a touchdown on a 12-yard run and made a two-point conversion fake and run. Jared Fuller scored the touchdown at 7:28 to play in the quarter and it was Dane Manio who made the two-point conversion.

But Pinson answered with a touchdown of his own with 5:21 to play before halftime, popping through the defenders and into the open for a 31-yard run. Rowe's kick put the Eagles up, 17-8.

Rowe, who has signed up to play soccer for UCLA, did not let the earlier missed field goal get to him. He went out and scored three points from 27 yards out with 10.3 seconds remaining in the first half.

Federal Way wasted no time in adding to its lead as Isiah Umipig returned the second half opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown. Rowe was right on target with his kick that followed for a 27-8 advantage with only 12 seconds off the third quarter clock.

The Eagles scored again with 10:00 left in the period. Nick Tanielu hit Alden Coleman on a 31-yard pass play and Rowe kicked the PAT to make it 34-8.

The lead was upped to its final margin of 41-8 at 7:58 to go in the quarter when Pinson went around the right end of the line and ran for a 40-yard touchdown and Rowe made the ensuing PAT kick.