Tumwater's road to the Dome: GATA defense + points scored = Mrs. A's brownies

It’s a badge of honor all members of the Tumwater defense gets pumped up for -- a chocolaty-squared, home-baked goodness known as Mrs. A's brownies.

The Thunderbirds’ defense and special teams has had a record-setting season for points scored in a season -- 58 and counting -- as Tumwater prepares for Saturday’s Class 2A state title game against Lynden at the Tacoma Dome. The 58 points surpassed the previous mark of 56 points by the 1989 defense. That year, Tumwater went 13-0 and defeated Cheney, 27-7 for the AA state title.

Brownie treats -- everyone once in a while topped with ice cream -- are the reward each time the defense or special teams scores points. The brownie tradition for the defense was born last season after the defense scored twice -- on an interception return for a touchdown and a safety -- in a 57-7 win over Yelm in Week 2. Since then, Mrs. A -- Rebecca Alexander, wife of longtime Tumwater defensive coordinator Pat Alexander -- bakes a tray of brownies for the players who are on the field during a defensive or special teams score.

The Alexanders oven has been busy this season; the defense or special teams has scored points in seven of the 13 games. The points record was broken in the 21-0 win over Archbishop Murphy in the 2A state quarterfinals when Nick Foerstel forced a fumble, which was picked up junior Koyre Trejo for his first-career touchdown.

“It’s strange what motivates 16-, 17- and 18-year-olds,” Pat Alexander said. “When they score, even before they’re off the field, they’re making sure they’re getting brownies.”

Of course, the treats have won over all the players, too.

“They’re pretty darn good,” said Trejo, Tumwater’s all-league defensive end. “It’s definitely a good incentive.”

Pat Alexander described the group of “ordinary players who somehow play extraordinary.” Game after game, week after week, the unseasoned and inexperienced players rose to the occasion and surpassed many peoples’ expectations. Since its Week 1 42-21 loss to Shelton, Tumwater has won 12 striaght games and have outscored its opponents 256-69 over the last seven games. Now, Tumwater is playing for its second state title in three seasons and its sixth overall. The program is a perfect 5-0 in five previous state title games, including a 34-14 win over Archbishop Murphy in the 2010 2A state title game.

“Each week, they get better and more physical,” Pat Alexander said.

Class 2A state title game
NO. 2 LYNDEN (12-1) vs. NO. 4 TUMWATER (12-1)
1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, Tacoma Dome