TUMWATER — The word was redemption, not revenge.

The talk this week inside the Tumwater High School football program was about seeking redemption following last year's unexpected 41-6 loss to Archbishop Murphy at home in the first round of the Class 2A state playoffs.

Thunderbird players wanted to make a statement and it came from the defense.

Tumwater forced three Archbishop Murphy fumbles and scored the final touchdown on a fumble return while shutting out the Wildcats 21-0 Friday night.

Sixth-ranked Tumwater (11-1) advanced to the semifinals for the second time in three seasons. The T-Birds will travel next weekend to face the winner of Saturday's Othello-Prosser game.

Eighth-ranked Archbishop Murphy finished 8-3.

Junior defensive tackle Korye Trejo called the defensive effort its best all season, as Tumwater earned its second shutout.

"If we came out and played the best defense we could, and the offense got rolling, we knew we had a chance to win," Trejo said. "I credit the entire defense tonight. We did a great job."

Already with a 14-0 lead in the fourth quarter, the defense forced the Wildcats to fumble for the third time. Trejo returned it 20 yards for a touchdown and a 21-0 lead with 5 minutes, 54 seconds left.

"Nick had a great pass rush on the other end, knocked the ball loose and I saw it on the ground and just went with it," Trejo said. "I was excited."

That touchdown also was a special one for the defense, which set a school record for points in a season (58).

"I'm really proud of that," coach Sid Otton said.

A roughing-the-punter penalty against Tumwater led to Archbishop Murphy's best drive of the first half. On the next play, Alex Galgano's 39-yard run set up a first-and-10 inside the Thunderbirds' 17. But Mason Bailey's 36-yard field-goal attempt was wide left.