Teacher Steven Isicoff's husband made brownies for his class. A parent cited the Bible, calling it inappropriate.

Teacher Steven Isicoff's husband made brownies for his class, leading a parent to cite the Bible and call it inappropriate. Community member Margie Masudi argued Isicoff's visibility as a queer educator was inappropriate for children.

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KENNEWICK, Wash.

Southridge’s defense delivered the opportunity. Tayton Jackman delivered the championship.

Trailing Kennewick 16-14 late in the fourth quarter Thursday night, the Suns recovered a Lions fumble to give their offense another chance.

Jackman responded with an 88-yard touchdown run with 2:40 remaining, lifting Southridge to a dramatic 21-16 victory over its crosstown rival at Neil F. Lampson Stadium and securing the Mid-Columbia Conference Class 3A football championship.

The victory gave Southridge its first MCC football title since 2008, ending an 18-year championship drought.

The Suns’ defense then stopped Kennewick’s final possession, forcing a turnover on downs before Southridge ran out the clock.

Southridge finished the regular season 8-1 overall and 7-0 in conference play, winning eight consecutive games after its only loss of the season.

For Southridge coach Matt Johnson, the championship represented more than another victory.

“We know how big this game is,” Johnson said after the win. “You know, Kennewick and Southridge, it’s a huge rivalry.”

Johnson said his team had struggled against Kennewick in recent seasons, making Thursday’s victory particularly meaningful.

“We faced a lot of adversity, and with changing the game to Thursday, doing all this stuff, and our kids just bounced back, man,” Johnson said. “They always are resilient and have a relentless attitude, and I’m really proud of them.”

A championship decided in the fourth quarter

Neither team scored in the opening quarter, but Kennewick struck first in the second when quarterback Bradley Parker connected with Leroy Ables on a 9-yard touchdown pass.

Southridge answered with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Jackman to Stockton Parrish, tying the game 7-7.

Kennewick took a 10-7 halftime lead on Daniel Negrete’s 36-yard field goal.

The Suns moved back in front during the third quarter when senior Jacob Korotkov scored on a 5-yard run, giving Southridge a 14-10 advantage.

But Kennewick wasn’t finished.

Parker connected with Jorge Martinez on a 98-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. The failed conversion left the Lions ahead 16-14 with 8:48 remaining.

That set the stage for Southridge’s decisive defensive play.

With Kennewick trying to protect its narrow lead, the Lions handed the ball to running back Jayden Chia near their own 11-yard line.

Korotkov wrapped up Chia as sophomore linebacker Toa Haertling joined the tackle, forcing the ball loose. Haertling recovered the fumble, giving Southridge possession deep in Kennewick territory.

But the Suns’ decisive touchdown came on an 88-yard run by Jackman, who broke free downfield with Kennewick defenders in pursuit.

The score gave Southridge a 21-16 lead with 2:40 remaining.

Jackman’s teammates rushed to celebrate with him in the end zone, including senior quarterback Austin Hazenberg.

Kennewick had one final opportunity.

Senior defensive end Dallas Doherty helped stop the Lions’ quarterback during the final possession, and a fourth-down pass fell incomplete.

Southridge took possession with roughly a minute remaining and ran out the clock, setting off a championship celebration.

A veteran backfield delivers

Jackman finished with 187 rushing yards on 15 carries, averaging 12.5 yards per attempt. Korotkov added 102 yards on 21 carries.

Together, the two seniors accounted for 289 of Southridge’s 299 rushing yards.

The Suns finished with 368 yards of total offense, including 69 through the air.

Kennewick rushed for 78 yards and passed for 218, totaling 296 offensive yards.

Southridge quarterback Austin Hazenberg completed all six of his pass attempts for 48 yards. Jackman added a 21-yard touchdown pass to Parrish.

The performance reflected a strength Johnson had identified before the conference season began.

Following Southridge’s 29-9 season-opening victory over Cheney in September, Johnson described Jackman and Korotkov, both three-year starters and team captains, as the heartbeat of his team.

In that opening victory, Korotkov rushed for 141 yards and three touchdowns while Jackman added 124 yards.

Nearly two months later, the same veteran backfield helped deliver a conference championship.

For Korotkov, the victory was an emotional moment.

“We put in a lot of hard work to get here and this is worth it,” Korotkov said after the game.

The senior paused during his interview, apologizing as he became emotional while describing the victory.

“This is an awesome feeling,” he said.

A rivalry victory years in the making

For Hazenberg, the victory carried special significance because of Southridge’s recent history against Kennewick.

“Every year that I’ve been here for the last four years, we’ve lost to them,” Hazenberg said. “And to come out and battle through as much as adversity as we did, and win a game like this means the world to me.”

Hazenberg said the Suns knew Kennewick would present a physical challenge.

“We were struggling and they are a very physical team,” he said of the first half. “We knew we hcooad to come back out here and work hard and play smarter.”

Johnson said his team stayed with its approach despite the challenge.

“With Kennewick we know they defend us a certain way, and they are always tough and physical and super disciplined,” Johnson said. “So we knew that going in.”

The championship capped a regular-season turnaround that began after Southridge’s 27-14 nonconference loss to Eastmont on Sept. 11.

The Suns followed that defeat with eight consecutive victories, including conference wins over Chiawana, Kamiakin, Hermiston, Pasco, Sageview, Walla Walla and Kennewick.

Their 7-0 conference record placed them atop the MCC standings, ahead of Chiawana, which finished 6-1 in league play.

Southridge turns toward the postseason

The Suns now turn their attention to the WIAA Class 3A postseason.

Southridge enters the postseason ranked fifth in the WIAA Class 3A Ratings Percentage Index, placing the Suns among some of the state’s established football programs. The rankings include defending state champion O’Dea at No. 4 and 2024 state runner-up Bellevue at No. 2. Southridge, which entered last year’s state tournament as the No. 14 seed, has climbed into the top five following its 8-1 regular season.

The Class 3A Week 10 playoff games are scheduled for Nov. 6-7, with the winners advancing to the state tournament.

Southridge’s opponent, game time and location had not been announced as of Friday morning. Postseason assignments were expected Sunday.

For Hazenberg, the championship was another step toward a larger goal.

“Next we make our playoff run and then we go win a state championship,” he said.

Korotkov shared that confidence.

“We going all the way to state,” he said. “We can do this.”