It was a football battle from the first kick to the final ticks on the clock at Maxwell Stadium Oct. 21 between Tahoma and Kentridge.

The Bears pulled ahead at the end for a 46-42 victory over the Chargers, securing a spot in the playoffs, and a shot at either second or third in the South Puget Sound League North.

If a game was ever a shoot out, this was it. High scoring and momentum swings from quarter to quarter and from one play to the next.

Kentridge stars Jimmie Davis and Caleb Smith gave Tahoma all it could handle, with both scoring touchdowns in the first quarter.

Tahoma kept within reach in the first half behind the running of Beau Riggs and Jason Smith along with the passing of Shane Nelson.

At the half Tahoma trailed 36-26.

It was the third quarter that turned the tide with Tahoma scoring 13 unanswered points. One touchdown to Smith on a 18-yard Nelson pass and another 53-yard pass play for six.

The Tahoma defense found the answer to containing Kentridge until late in the fourth when Kaid Tipton took it into the end zone from a John Hamilton pass.

Riggs had posted the final six for Tahoma on a 6-yard run and David Stroecker nailed the extra point that gave the Bears the margin of victory it needed.

Nelson was 13 of 21 for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Smith had another great game with 6 catches for 119 yards and two TD’s. Riggs ran for 116 yards and 3 touchdowns on 23 carries.

On defense Smith and Denham Patricelli led the way with nine tackles. Justin Ross had eight tackles while Wil Anderson had two fumble recoveries.

Tahoma takes on Mount Rainier at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Highline Stadium.