Versatile Colin Cossette keyed a 20-14 Kennedy Catholic football team Class 3A state football first-round win against Columbia River of Vancouver at Kiggins Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 10.

Kennedy (9-1) advanced to play Mt. Si, which defeated the Lancers 30-0 at Mt. Si in the season opener for both squads. Greater St. Helen's 3A champion Columbia River finished at 7-4

With inside two minutes in the fourth quarter, the Lancers from Burien worked a fake-handoff into the line from their own 36 yard line.

Fooled by the play-action pass set up ,the River defenders were sucked in, allowing Cossette to sneak unguarded through the middle of the field for a 51-yard reception, giving Kennedy a first down on the CR 13. On the following play, Drew Thompson ran for the touchdown, helping KC into a 20-14 lead with 1:15 showing on the scoreboard clock.

Kennedy still had to weather a strong comeback from the Chieftains.

A 36-yard kickoff return gave Columbia River a first down on its own 48 from where Chieftain quarterback Clayton Frank completed three consecutive passes to Terrell Bolton as Columbia River flowed to the Kennedy Catholic 25 with 20 seconds remaining.

It was the Lancer defense that stood up to force two incompletions in a row for victory and a match up at Mount Si.

Capitalizing on mistakes aided Kennedy Cathloic during regulation play.

After recovering a River fumble, the Lancers marched 28 yards with Cossette negotiating the final 11 yards and the Lancers led 7-0.

Columbia River flowed back to tie the Lancers 7-7 on a Jayson Branson 11-yard run in the second quarter.

In the third quarter, another Kennedy Catholic fumble recovery set up a short field drive from the Chieftain 34 yard line. Cossette pounded for two yards and the Lancers led 14-7.

Back flowed the River with Frank busting for a two-yard touchdown in the third quarter for a 14-14 standoff as the teams battled to the key final fourth quarter action.

Cossette rushed for 127 yards on 22 carries, had four punts that averaged 52.3 yards and was a bulwark on the defense. Conner Richardson passed for 107 yards in an 8-13, no interception performance at quarterback.

For the River, Frank passed for 150 yards and Branson rushed for 94 on 13 carries.