Panthers End Season With 27–26 Thriller Over Rogers

Gavin Davis, Chris Conte, Jackson Elliot. Photo Credit: Andrew Merrifield @amerrifield

Bonney Lake rallies in the rain at Puyallup’s Sparks Stadium to cap their 2025 season with a dramatic one-point win

The Pacific Northwest rain didn’t let up Thursday night in Puyallup, and neither did the Bonney Lake Panthers. In their final game of the 2025 season, played at Sparks Stadium against the Rogers Rams, the Panthers overcame slick conditions, momentum swings, and a heart-stopping final minute to pull off a 27–26 victory that had fans on their feet until the final whistle.

Aidan Samson. Photo Credit: Andrew Merrifield @amerrifield

First Half: Samson Finds His Targets Early

Rogers struck first midway through the opening quarter with an eight-yard touchdown pass to take a 7–0 lead, but Bonney Lake answered quickly. Junior quarterback Aidan Samson led a sharp drive that ended with a 20-yard touchdown pass to senior Xavier Wise, tying the game at 7–7 after the extra point.

In the second quarter, Samson kept rolling. He dropped a perfect strike to junior Chris Conte for a touchdown to reclaim the lead 13–7. Rogers countered just before halftime with a short pass of their own, and the teams went into the locker room with Rogers holding a narrow 14–13 edge.

Jackson Elliot. Photo Credit: Andrew Merrifield @amerrifield

Third Quarter: Rogers Builds a Lead

The weather worsened as steady rain soaked the field and made handling the ball difficult. The Rams capitalized on a couple of slippery possessions, connecting on a long touchdown pass and later punching in a five-yard rushing score to take a 26–13 lead.

Despite the deficit, Bonney Lake’s sideline stayed fired up. Head coach Javid Shoemaker urged his team to keep fighting, and they responded.

Fourth Quarter: Panthers Rally and Hold

The comeback began early in the fourth. Samson again found Chris Conte, this time for another touchdown to close the gap to 26–19. The Panthers followed with a successful two-point conversion to make it 26–21.

Just minutes later, Samson went deep again, this time connecting with senior Peyton Lindgren for what became the game-winning touchdown. The pass capped an electric fourth quarter and gave Bonney Lake its first lead of the night, 27–26.

Bonney Lake Panthers. Photo Credit: Andrew Merrifield @amerrifield

But the drama wasn’t over. With just one second remaining, Rogers lined up for a potential game-winning field goal. The Panthers’ defense broke through and blocked the kick, but a Bonney Lake timeout had been called just before the snap, forcing the play to be redone. Instead of attempting another kick, Rogers went for the end zone on the final play. The Panthers held the line, stopping the run short of the goal as time expired.

As rain poured down, Bonney Lake’s sideline erupted, the Panthers had sealed their third win of the season in unforgettable fashion.

Season Reflection

The 27–26 victory at Sparks Stadium marked a fitting end to the Panthers’ 2025 campaign, which closed with a record of 3–6. The night belonged to Aidan Samson, who threw four touchdown passes, two to Chris Conte, one to Xavier Wise, and the game-winner to Peyton Lindgren, but it was also a testament to Bonney Lake’s grit and resilience across the board.

As the players left the soaked field in Puyallup, they did so smiling, proud, and united, proving that perseverance, teamwork, and belief can turn any storm into a story worth remembering.