A hole opens up wider than the path of a Winnebago.

Thomas Jefferson High quarterback K.W. Williams doesn't see it at first.

He is on the run, too busy sidestepping Federal Way's swarming pass rush after getting flushed from the pocket.

It is fourth-and-goal at the 9-yard line with less than two minutes to go and the game on the line.

He retreats 10, then 15 yards backward from the line of scrimmage, farther and farther away from the goal line.

He reverses field and spots a gaping hole on the left side.

By this time Raiders fans at Federal Way Memorial Stadium are roaring with anticipation; the crescendo is rising: They see the hole too.

Like a bloodhound getting ahold of that first scent, Williams darts through the hole in the line and runs past the left pilon for the score.

It is the game-winner, the coup de grace, for Thomas Jefferson, capping a 31-28 crosstown shocker over Federal Way Friday evening.

"Kyle's (K.M.'s) run was amazing," Raiders coach Dean Peck said. "That ... was the game. That was huge."

A win has become a rarity for the Raiders in their cross-town rivalry with the Eagles in recent years.

"We couldn't get a stop on the last drive," Federal Way coach John Meagher said. "Hats off to Thomas Jefferson, they converted fourth down."

Federal Way (3-5 in league, 3-6 overall) did all they could do to put themselves in position to win -- powered by running back D.J. May's 269 rushing yards on 28 carries and three touchdowns, two on 52- and 20-yard runs and the other a 17-yard reception.

The Eagles took a 28-24 lead on quarterback Nick Tanielu's 10-yard TD pass to sophomore wide receiver Michael Tate with 6:39 remaining in the contest. They had once trailed by two touchdowns earlier in the game, but now they looked to be in control

On the ensuing possession, Thomas Jefferson's offense sputtered in untimely fashion. The Raiders faced a third-and-8 with less than six minutes to play.

Williams, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior, hit senior running back Keegan Giles for nine yards on a middle screen, setting up a fourth-and-1 for the Raiders at their own 47.

"We weren't going to give up," said Williams, whose team chose to go for it.

Williams took the ball on a quarterback sneak, moving the pile a couple of yards for a first down as well as regaining momentum.

Williams threw passes of 8 yards and 26 yards to junior wide receiver Rithvik Lagisetti and Giles, respectively, before scoring three plays later

"We just wanted to chip away and not look for the big play right away," WIlliams said. "We weren't going to give up, not on our Senior Night. We wanted to give them (seniors) a win to end their (prep careers)."

Federal Way got the ball back with 1:42 remaining.

On the kickoff, Raiders kicker Jake Avionitis sent a booming kick out of the end zone to set the Eagles up at their own 20, a long 80 yards to go.

"He's (Avionitis) been working on those kicks all year," said Peck, whose Raiders were clicking in all facets of the game -- offense, defense and special teams.

On Federal Way's first play, Thomas Jefferson defensive back Dylan Cooper intercepted a pass at his own 43 at the 1:42 mark, sealing the win. The Raiders drove to the Federal Way 1-yard line during their possession, but Williams took a knee as time ran out.

Williams figured in in all four of the Raiders touchdowns, two of them coming off of two Eagles turnovers in the first quarter.

Defensive back Yobel Mengistu's interception helped set up the first Raiders touchdown, a Williams 1-yard keeper, and an Eagles' fumble deep in Thomas Jefferson territory led to another -- a 33-yard scoring pass from Williams to tight end Tim Luafatasaga and a quick 14-0 lead early in the first quarter.

Federal Way responded with two scores, both on May runs. May, a 5-foot-11, 185-pound junior, scored on a 52-yard run off left tackle and a 20-yard TD on a toss sweep, making it 14-all with 9:40 remaining in the second quarter.

May, a 400-meter track athlete, gained 165 yards in the first half alone, using his speed to hit the holes quickly and patience to follow his blockers when he needed to. On May's second score, he took advantage of fullback Roderick Jones' kick-out block to spring him off the edge.

For Thomas Jefferson (2-6. 3-6), Avionitis' 25-yard field goal increased the Raiders lead to 17-14 with 5:45 remaing in the first half.

Koby Craig's 44-yard field-goal try was close. It hit the crossbar and bounced off.

Overall, Giles had 30 carries for 143 yards rushing and Williams 15 carries for 82 yards for the Raiders. Williams also played defensive back, making a team-high 9 tackles.

Beating Federal Way might not have been the Thomas Jefferson football program's biggest achievement this fall.

"There were tons of kids busting their butts to get their grades up," Peck said. "They did it. That was big, too."

As if there wasn't enough stress for a coach during the day.