A handful of teams – including the White River High Hornets – have been battling for second billing in the South Puget Sound League 3A football standings, all trailing the dominant Lakes Lancers.

Just who gets to claim runner-up status became a bit clearer Friday night at White River High, when Peninsula defeated the host Hornets 17-13. The loss saw the Hornets’ record, both overall and in SPSL 3A action, drop to 4-3. Peninsula improved to 5-1 and is tied for second place with Enumclaw.

A crucial league showdown comes Friday night when the Seahawks host Enumclaw.

Friday proves a bit less important for White River, which makes a one-time foray into nonleague territory. The Hornets will travel to Tacoma to take on a Foss High crew that is 3-4 on the season and last week snapped a three-game losing streak with a 7-0 victory over Bellarmine Prep.

Friday’s contest at White River had the Hornets dreaming of a mild upset, leading 13-10 as the game clock slipped into its final two minutes. But Peninsula High showed its mettle, taking the lead for the final time at the 1:52 mark when Darrin Creamer crashed into the end zone from a yard out.

Until that point, the game had been something of a back-and-forth tussle.

White River hit the scoreboard first when Kevin Moore connected on a 42-yard field goal. Peninsula kicker Cole Madden was later good on a 35-yard attempt and the teams headed into the locker rooms tied.

The Hornets took the lead early in the third period when quarterback Marc Anderson and receiver Alec Williams connected for a 76-yard touchdown. Moore’s extra-point kick made it 10-3.

Peninsula again responded in kind, when J.R. Grosshans took off on a 70-yard TD run. Madden’s kick tied things again.

White River took the lead for the third time early in the fourth quarter when Moore was good on another field goal, this time from 23 yards.

Peninsula answered for the third time but, instead of tying the contest, the Seahawks added Creamer’s touchdown that proved to be the game-winner.

White River’s ground game, a facet of the Hornet offense that had been so effective at times, was held in check by the Seahawk defense. The Hornets had 21 rushing attempts and gained just 34 yards; factor in 38 yards in losses and White River was in negative yards in the rushing department.

Anderson again posted decent numbers, completing 10 of 21 passes for 200 yards.

Peninsula finished with 213 yards of offense, 177 on the ground and 36 through the air.