The game certainly didn’t start out well, but the Hazen football team showed enough grit to come away with a 27-20 statement win over Renton Friday night.

“That’s a great win,” said Hazen coach Drew Oliver. “I told them that’s our coming-out party as a team. I don’t think a lot of people expected us to win that game, but we did.”

Hazen (4-1 overall, 4-0 Seamount) got off to an ominous start by fumbling on the opening kickoff return. The Hazen defense stopped Renton and forced a punt, only to fumble the punt return too.

This time the Indians (2-2, 1-2) capitalized, scoring two plays later on a one-yard plunge by Travino Buckley.

Hazen handled the ensuing kickoff, but lost a fumble on the second play off the drive. That gave the Highlanders three turnovers at the five-minute mark in the first quarter.

Oliver called a timeout to speak to his team.

“I told them that it’s our game… I told them we can overcome this.”

The Hazen defense was up to the task, blocking a Renton field goal and keeping the score 6-0 after the first quarter.

The teams traded big plays in the second quarter.

James Holland finally gave Hazen some offense when he busted through the middle for a 42-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

Renton’s Marcus Clinton took the Hazen kickoff on the left side of the field, made a few moves and sprinted up the right sideline 82 yards for a score.

Holland struck again on a 72-yard touchdown scamper that gave Hazen a 13-12 lead heading into the half.

“We tried to give it away too many times,” Oliver said. “But we stuck together as a team and I’m proud as heck of those guys.”

Momentum continued to swing Hazen’s way as Travis Johnson found Tyler Searles for a 24-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Then Searles picked up a blocked punt on Renton’s next drive and ran into the end zone. The big plays gave Hazen a 27-12 lead after three quarters.

Renton’s Buckley scored in the fourth on a two-yard rush to pull the Indians within seven points, at 27-20.

As minutes drained off the clock near the end of the game, it looked like the Indians would get one last chance to score. The Renton defense stopped Hazen and forced a punt with two minutes left, but a Renton defender roughed the punter and gave Hazen a first down.

The win keeps Hazen tied with Mount Rainier and Kennedy Catholic for first place in the Seamount. Renton drops to fifth.

Extras points:

– Holland had another touchdown called back by penalty. He broke loose for 64 yards in the fourth quarter.

– Hazen fumbled again with 58 seconds left in the game, but was able to pick the ball back up before any Renton defenders could get there.

– Renton has offensive players that are very dangerous in the open field, but often seemed to have an unfortunate penalty that killed the drive.

– The Seamount looks to be very separated this season: Four teams are undefeated in league play and four teams don’t have a win in league play.