Auburn Mountainview stormed Hazen early and took a 21-0 lead in the first half on the way to a 47-14 win Thursday night.

The two teams met for an SPSL/Seamount crossover playoff game. Quarterback Cody McNeil led the Lions (6-4 overall, 4-4 SPSL 3A) with four touchdowns. He rushed for two (one yard, five yards), returned an interception 52 yards for a score and passed for a touchdown in the third quarter.

James Holland and Patrick Ward scored touchdowns on the ground for the Highlanders (4-6, 4-4).

Matt Gayman scored on touchdown runs of 76 and 52 yards for the Lions, while Daius Elliot-Free caught a touchdown pass and returned a kickoff 72 yards for a touchdown.

Hazen finished the season tied for fourth place in the Seamount with Mount Rainier.

The Highlanders’ defense started the season strong, allowing 4.0 points per game in the first three games (all wins), but then stumbled with the rest of the season as the average rose to 50.3 points per game in the final six (not counting the forfeit win over Tyee).

Holland, a junior, finished the season with nine rushing touchdowns. Hazen’s offense improved from 13.6 points scored per game last season to 16.1 this season. The defense slipped from 25.6 points allowed per game last season to 34.9 this season.