Twine's Catch Leaves Eagles Standing -- Federal Way Receiver Scores Td While Prone

KENT - Federal Way's destiny was in the hands of wide receiver Thabiti Twine.

Trouble was, Twine was on his back in the corner of the end zone. Destiny? How about incomplete pass?

But Twine, a senior, somehow managed to reach out and pull in a tipped pass while prone, giving Federal Way a 29-22 SPSL North Division victory over Kent-Meridian last night at French Field.

Kent-Meridian had hoped to clinch a playoff spot with a victory. Instead, the Royals (4-2 league, 4-4 overall) must win next Friday against Auburn (2-3, 3-4) to advance.

The victory kept Federal Way's (3-3, 4-4) long-shot playoff hopes alive - at least for one more week. The Eagles close against rival Decatur (2-3, 2-5) next Friday.

Federal Way is alive because Twine happened to be lying in the right place at the right time.

With the score tied at 22 in the fourth quarter, Federal Way quarterback George Thompson lofted a high, arching 6-yard pass toward the corner of the end zone.

Twine and K-M defensive back Flynn Cochran bumped, went up in the air and tipped the ball.

Twine fell on his back, looked up and caught the ball as it floated into his hands. It was his only catch.

"I gave up on the play when I was down," Twine said. "But I looked up and there was the ball. It came right down to me. I didn't even have to move."

Kent-Meridian didn't give up. The Royals drove to the Federal Way 9-yard line on their next possession, but lost the ball on downs with 8 minutes, 57 seconds remaining.

K-M thought it had tied the game with 3:08 left when Evan Cochran ran 64 yards with a Chris Samms screen pass for an apparent touchdown. But a clipping penalty killed that drive.

"Every time it's penalties; it's always penalties," K-M quarterback Chris Samms said. "We just had too many stupid mistakes. Penalties killed us all night."

The Royals had seven penalties, Federal Way two.

Anthony Stone ran for 136 yards on 11 carries and Thompson completed 10 of 15 passes for 119 yards and three touchdowns for Federal Way. Evan Cochran had 96 yards on five carries for K-M, which had only 227 yards of offense.

Federal Way dominated early. Stone ran 47 yards for a touchdown on the first play to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead. Four minutes later, Thompson hit T.J. Koehler with a 37-yard scoring pass for a 14-0 lead.

The Royals came back, scoring two touchdowns in a 2:27 span late in the first quarter to lead 15-14.

Federal Way took a 22-15 lead on Thompson's second touchdown pass with 1:41 left in the first quarter.

The Royals got even with 23 seconds left in the first half on Stan Williams' 2-yard touchdown run on fourth down.