Seamount League tri-champion Evergreen of White Center used its resourceful backfield and its dynamic linemen to wear West Seattle down Friday in Burien.

Running backs Kyle Tunney, Nuve Kongaika and Johnny Jackson joined quarterback Luther Leonard to lead a third quarter outbreak and keep the Evergreen Wolverines' wagons rolling to a 42-21 victory in a preliminary- round playoff game to the state football championship tournament against visiting West Seattle.

Tunney's long gains with one touchdown opened up the inside of the line for Nuve Kongaika's four touchdowns and Johnny Johnson's quick sprints with one touchdown.

"We were just playing enthusiastically," explained Tunney, who was an elusive spinning top for the West Seattle defenders. "We lost our first (playoff) game last year and I didn't want that to happen this year."

State eighth-ranked Evergreen (9-1) advanced to the 16-team Class 3A state playoffs and hosts a 7:30 p.m. game this Friday at Highline Stadium. West Seattle, the second-place team in the 3A Metro League Sound Division, ended its season at 5-5.

Trailing 14-13 with 7:51 remaining in the third quarter, the powerful Wolverines blasted out 46 yards in seven plays, capped by Tunney's 2-yard touchdown run and keyed by quarterback Luther Leonard's 12-yard keeper off right tackle. A failed 2-point conversion try left Evergreen ahead, 19-14 as just more than four minutes remained in the quarter.

Later, the Wolverines forced a three and out possession out of the Wildcats. Tunney then turned into a galloping ghost for 54 yards. Tunney carried again for six yards before Jackson sprinted around right end for a 3-yard touchdown. Jackson's two-point conversion run sent Evergreen rolling ahead 27-14 going into the third quarter.

The final game breaker came when Wolverine linebacker Jared Brunelle intercepted a pass and returned the ball 32 yards to the Wildcat 20. Kongaika's 4-yard touchdown run and ensuing two-point conversion run made the the score 35-14 and sealed the deal despite West Seattle's continuing combativeness.

"West Seattle matched up well with us," stated Evergreen head coach Shaun Tarantola. "They had a good game plan and their kids really worked hard. I give West Seattle credit. Our line really had to step up. We played our 'A' game, but didn't make big plays when we needed to (early). We were able to wear them down, fortunately. That was our game plan, but they just kept hanging around."

In the first half of this hard-hitting and emotion-laden match up, both teams moved the ball early, but were unable to score in the first quarter. Evergreen had a long drive end on a fumble while West Seattle gave up the ball on downs following a 45-yard drive that was accentuated by a 28-yard burst by Alex Sils.

After the Wildcats surrendered the ball on downs inside the Wolverine 27, Evergreen methodically marched 73 yards on eight plays to pay dirt, culminated by Kongaika's 1-yard touchdown run. The successful point after touchdown gave the Wolverines a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Just before halftime, West Seattle's Juston Leverette exploded for a 31-yard touchdown jaunt. With the successful PAT, the Wildcats earned a 7-7 tie going into halftime.

Early in the second half, Evergreen gained possession on its own 4-yard line after Sam Williams' interception stopped a West Seattle drive. Johnny Jackson glided around left end for 43 yards on the fifth play of the drive to reach the West Seattle 14. Tunney followed up with a 13-yard burst to set up Kongaika's 1-yard touchdown run. A failed PAT kick left the Wolverines leading 13-7 with 8:06 remaining in the third quarter.

On the Evergreen kickoff, T.J. Lee took a handoff and reversed for a 70-yard lightning strike touchdown. The successful PAT gave West Seattle its only lead at 14-13 before the superior size and strength of Evergreen took over the game.

"My kids came tonight and gave Evergreen everything they had," said first-year West Seattle head coach Davis Lura. "I couldn't be prouder as a coach of a football team. Evergreen is just a little more physical up front than us. We came out 0-3 in non league games and used those games to see what kind of pieces we had to put on the chess board. Once we got into league play, it was fun to see them pick it up."

Gerardo Bolong my be reached via wsedtor@robinsonnews.com