Rainier Beach Vikings Fall to Lincoln in State Playoffs

Reported by Karrington Kincaid, The Seattle Medium

The Rainier Beach Vikings looked poised to set the tone early in their WIAA 3A state playoff matchup, and on their opening drive they did exactly that. The Vikings opened the game with purpose, as running back Damari King scored on a 29-yard touchdown run to give Rainier Beach an early 7–0 lead. But what began with such promise for the Vikings turned into a grind of attrition as Lincoln rallied, dominated the next two and a half quarters with a powerful running game, and held on for a 28–19 victory.

Lincoln’s ground game, anchored by Jadeon Scranton, set the tone early. Scranton repeatedly carried the load, kept the chains moving time and again, and wore down the Vikings’ defensive front drive after drive. On Lincoln’s first possession of the game, Scranton picked up multiple yards as Lincoln kept feeding him the ball play after play. Scranton scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, and a successful extra point attempt by Lincoln tied the game at 7–7.

Rainier Beach tried to answer, leaning again on King and quarterback Esquire Williams, but their next two possessions fizzled. After back-to-back short gains, a costly false start pushed them back, and the Vikings were forced to punt. The Abes capitalized on the field position and momentum.

Midway through the second quarter, Lincoln’s defense delivered the game’s first major turning point. After pinning Rainier Beach deep, Lincoln forced a fumble by Rainier Beach’s Sirjewel Glover; the Abes’ Immanuel Jordan scooped up the loose ball and rumbled 17 yards into the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point was good, and the Abes took their first lead of the game at 14–7.

On the ensuing kickoff, Lincoln recovered an onside kick and again turned to their power run game. Scranton, aided by short bursts from JT Williams and quarterback Sione Kaho, methodically moved the ball downfield. Kaho completed short passes to Kasey Williams and Erick Tijiboy to complement the ground attack. However, the Rainier Beach defense held firm in the red zone, forcing a turnover on downs just before halftime to keep it a one-score game.

Rainier Beach entered the third quarter needing a spark, but it was Lincoln who struck first.

On their opening drive of the second half, the Abes leaned again on Scranton, who punished defenders with each carry. Kaho kept the defense honest, completing consecutive passes to Ilaikimi Malafu and JT Williams. Eventually, Kaho found Noah Dennis in the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown pass, capping off a long and grinding drive. Lincoln would miss the extra point attempt, but held a substantive 20–7 lead.

Rainier Beach’s next possession began with promise. King picked up positive yardage, and Williams completed a 16-yard pass to Tariq Shabazz. But the Vikings couldn’t string together enough plays to finish the drive, and back-to-back tackles for loss by Lincoln’s Venisala Maiava forced another punt.

As the clock bled into the fourth quarter, Rainier Beach faced an uphill climb. That’s when Tek Mwamba stepped in.

Lincoln mishandled a punt return, and Mwamba pounced on the ball, giving the Vikings life deep in Abes territory. Moments later, Williams connected with Sirjewel Glover on a 12-yard touchdown pass. However, instead of kicking the extra point to pull within six, interim head coach Charles McFarland Jr. opted for a two-point try. The attempt failed, leaving Rainier Beach trailing 20–13.

Still, the Vikings kept pushing. A strip fumble on Lincoln’s next possession gave them the ball again deep in Lincoln territory. After a pair of short gains, Williams found Mwamba for a 13-yard touchdown strike. Now down just one point, 20–19, the Vikings once again went for two. And once again, they came up short.

That decision would haunt them. With just under five minutes remaining, Lincoln got the ball back and marched the field in response. Kaho completed a crucial 29-yard pass to JT Williams on third down, flipping field position and quieting the Rainier Beach sideline. Shortly after, Noah Dennis put the game away with a 43-yard interception return touchdown after a Rainier Beach miscue.

Dennis’ touchdown iced the game and pushed Lincoln ahead 28–19 with just minutes remaining.

Rainier Beach had one final possession, but it ended with an interception by Elijah Carney. From there, Lincoln ran out the clock, and the Abes walked off with a hard-fought playoff win.

Williams finished the game with 9 completions for 96 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Vikings. King led Rainier Beach on the ground with 33 yards and a touchdown, while Mwamba tallied 43 total yards and a score, plus a special teams fumble recovery. Glover added two receptions for 26 yards and a touchdown.

For Lincoln, Scranton carried 26 times for 117 yards and a score, imposing his will from start to finish. Kaho was a model of efficiency, completing 12 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown. Dennis proved a difference-maker, finishing with a touchdown on offense and a critical fumble return late in the game.

The loss ends a resilient season for Rainier Beach, who overcame early season adversity, including the resignation of longtime head coach Corey Sampson, to reach the state playoffs under McFarland’s interim leadership. The Vikings showed grit late, but ultimately the inability to convert on either of their fourth-quarter two-point attempts, and a few untimely turnovers, proved the difference.

Player Statis

Rainier Beach Vikings – Offense:

• Ze Watkins – 5 rushes, 27 yards

• Esquire Williams – 9 rushes, –22 yards; 9/9 passing, 96 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

• Sirjewel Glover – 2 receptions, 26 yards, 1 TD

• Ameer Johnson – 1 reception, 7 yards

• Damari King – 9 rushes, 33 yards, 1 TD

• Tariq Shabazz – 1 reception, 16 yards

• Micah Ili-Meneese – 1/1 passing, 19 yards; 1 reception, 19 yards

• Marques Ili-Meneese – 2 receptions, 23 yards

• Tek Mwamba – 3 receptions, 43 yards, 1 TD; 1 fumble recovery

Rainier Beach Vikings – Defense: