Washington crowns football champions

The Skyline Spartans couldn't rally this time, so the streak of state titles came to an end.

The Ferris (Spokane) Saxons (14-0) held off the Spartans (Sammamish) 24-16 in the Class 4A state title game at the Tacoma Dome.

The Spartans (12-2), who had won three straight state titles, trailed in every playoff game this year. They fell behind 24-0 late in the third quarter before rallying again. Skyline even made it to the Ferris 20 in the closing minutes before giving the ball up on downs. The Spartans even forced one more chance, but that drive ended with an interception.

Ferris lost to Skyline in the title game last year.

"I'm speechless," Ferris coach Jim Sharkey told the Seattle Times. "It's indescribable. These kids have been special all year. They played with no fear tonight. They really took it to them the whole game. We knew we were up against a great opponent, but we didn't back down."

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CLASS 3A: BELLEVUE DYNASTY ROLLS ON
The Bellevue Wolverines (13-1) did what they do nearly every year: win a state title.

The Wolverines won their eighth Class 3A state title in 10 years by beating Kamiakin (Kennewick) 38-0. A representative from the KingCo conference has won 10 of the last 11 3A titles.

It was the third state title in a row for Bellevue, which set a record for margin of victory in a 3A title game.

"I don't think it gets old, because of the kids," Bellevue coach Butch Goncharoff said. "When you're around kids for this long and you enjoy it, you want to see them be successful. Every year is different. You want to send them out the right way, and it's fun."

CLASS 2A: TUMWATER TURNS BACK THE CLOCK
The Tumwater Thunderbirds have long been a state power under coach Sid Otton, the state's all-time winningest coach.

But Otton hasn't led the T-Birds (13-1) to a state title since 1993. They beat top-ranked Archbishop Murphy of Everett (13-1) for the Class 2A title 34-13.

Tumwater, which forced five turnovers, did it on defense, holding a potent ATM rushing attack to 103 yards. The Wildcats rushed for more than 1,000 yards the previous two weeks.

"I knew they were going to do something special tonight, and they did," Otton, who won his fifth title, told the Times.

CLASS 1A: CASCADE CHRISTIAN FINALLY BREAKS THROUGH
Cascade Christian (Puyallup) lost in the previous two Class 1A title games, but the Cougars (13-0) avoided the hat trick by besting Connell 42-35.

Tyler Walrath scored from 45 yards out with 2:26 remaining for the winning score. Walrath had 94 yards rushing and 106 receiving. Kyle Stennes passed for 314 yards and four touchdowns for the Cougars.

Connell (12-2) beat Cascade in last year's title game.

CLASS 2B: SOUTH BEND CELEBRATES ITS CENTENNIAL
The South Bend Indians, who entered the playoffs unranked, beat top-ranked Colfax 28-8 in the Class 2B state title game. The Indians (12-2) celebrated their 100th year of football this season.

Colfax (12-1) eliminated South Bend in the quarterfinals last year. South Bend had never advanced past the quarterfinals before.

CLASS 1B: LUMMI WINS FIRST STATE TITLE
The Lummi (Bellingham) Blackhawks (13-1), who set a national eight-man scoring record earlier this season, won their first state title by beating the Cusick Panthers 55-30 in the Class 1B title game.

Eddy Williams scored four touchdowns for Lummi, the longest coming on a 78-yard shovel pass. He rushed for 157 yards on 11 carries.

Lummi lost in the state title game last year. Cusick (12-2) was playing for its first state title.