University falls shy of Kamiakin

KENNEWICK – Kamiakin made enough mistakes to lose.

But in the end, just enough big plays allowed the Braves to overcome a seriously shaky start and a nerve-wracking finish in a 28-21 3A play-in football victory over University on Friday night at Lampson Stadium.

Jace Navejas was the star of the night, catching two touchdown passes from Kylle Robertson and intercepting Titans quarterback Jeff Beaty in Kamiakin’s red zone with just more than 2 minutes remaining in the contest.

Robertson started slowly, hitting just one of his first eight passes, and was intercepted twice in the first half.

But he ended the night with 152 yards passing and three touchdowns, a tribute to his level-headed play.

University, which upset Kamiakin in last season’s crossovers, trailed 21-0 before making it close, pulling to within seven points in the third and the fourth quarters.

The Titans put a scare into the Braves when Trevor Martin caught an 82-yard touchdown pass from Beaty with 3:46 remaining in the game.

Martin followed with a successful onside kick to set up the final drive.

That’s when Navejas made his game-saving interception.

Kamiakin will host Columbia River on Nov. 16 in a first-round state playoff game.