Reported by Karrington Kincaid, The Seattle Medium
In one of the most anticipated matchups of the season, the Rise 10U squad handed the previously unbeaten Benson Bruins 9U team a decisive 25–0 loss on Saturday in the final week of the regular season. Both teams entered the contest with 6–0 records in the Washington Youth Football League (WYFL), but it was Rise that made a clear statement as the postseason approaches.
After a slow start, Rise gradually found its rhythm and took control of the game in the second quarter, using a balanced offense and opportunistic defense to pull away. While Benson moved the ball early and showed toughness throughout, turnovers and penalties kept them from gaining any consistent momentum.
Rise head coach Josh Croskey said that while his team did not start the way they wanted, their identity eventually showed up.
“The biggest thing that we always tell the guys is, number one, that we play fast and that we start fast, and we definitely didn’t do that today,” Croskey said. “But they picked that up toward the end. Secondly, be physical, and as long as we stay physical, things are going to open up.”
Benson opened the game with a promising drive, featuring a pair of strong runs by Bless Austin-Curry and JB Falatusi. They marched into Rise territory before stalling on a turnover on downs. That early miss proved to be costly.
On the next Bruins possession, a fumbled handoff was recovered by Rise’s Fakaosi Jr. Talakai, flipping field position and setting the tone. Quarterback Liam Bartlett and the Rise offense took advantage. After a few short runs, Bartlett kept the drive alive with a 16-yard scramble, and shortly after, Naniholo Talakai powered in a 7-yard touchdown run to give Rise a 6–0 lead.
The Bruins tried to bounce back, but their offense continued to suffer from miscues. On their following drive, they coughed up another fumble, this time recovered by Jason Doelman Jr. Rise again capitalized, as Bartlett hit Micah Wu-Mallory on a 17-yard strike for a touchdown. With the extra point, Rise extended its lead to 13–0 before halftime.
Benson showed flashes on offense throughout the day. Austin-Curry led the way with 13 carries for 34 yards, while Falatusi added 26 more on the ground. Liam Brown had a 22-yard run in the final quarter, but penalties, tackles for loss, and five total fumbles made it difficult to sustain any momentum.
Rise took full control in the second half. Bartlett opened the third quarter with a 25-yard completion to Tahj Henley, and two plays later, Talakai broke off a 35-yard touchdown run to stretch the lead to 19–0. The Rise offensive line created big holes throughout the day, and the team’s backfield took full advantage.
The Rise defense also stepped up in big moments. Wu-Mallory recovered a fumble midway through the third quarter, and despite a few setbacks on the ensuing drive, Bartlett connected with Wu-Mallory again for a 31-yard gain. That drive was capped early in the fourth quarter by a 32-yard reception from Doelman Jr. and a 4-yard touchdown run by Major Robinson, sealing the game at 25–0.
Bartlett finished the game a perfect 6-for-6 passing for 117 yards and two touchdowns. He added 9 rushing yards and spread the ball to five different receivers. Talakai rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown, while Robinson and Naniholo Talakai added a touchdown each.
On defense, Rise held Benson to under 110 total yards and recorded five fumble recoveries. Kingston Mefi, Alex King, and Talakai were among the standouts who helped contain the Bruins’ run-heavy attack.
While the scoreboard was one-sided, both teams battled from start to finish. Benson’s defense showed grit in the first quarter, and players like Falatusi, Brown, and Misiuepa Muaau made several key tackles in the second half to slow the Rise offense.
The win moves Rise to 7–0 and caps an undefeated regular season in the WYFL 10U division. Benson, now 6–1, will look to regroup ahead of the playoffs. Both teams are among the top contenders in the 10U bracket and could meet again in a high-stakes rematch.
Player Statistics
Rise 10U (Offense):
• Liam Bartlett: 3 rushes, 9 yards; 6/6 passing, 117 yards
• Fakaosi Jr Talakai: 6 rushes, 45 yards, 1 TD
• Micah Wu-Mallory: 2 rushes, 48 yards; 2 receptions, 48 yards, 1 TD
• Naniholo Talakai: 3 rushes, 15 yards, 1 TD; 1 reception, 9 yards
• Major Robinson: 2 rushes, 16 yards, 1 TD; 1 reception, 3 yards
Rise 10U (Defense):
• Fakaosi Jr Talakai: 1 fumble recovery
• Jason Doelman Jr: 1 fumble recovery
• Micah Wu-Mallory: 1 fumble recovery
• Major Robinson: 1 fumble recovery
Benson Bruins 9U (Offense):
• Bless Austin-Curry: 13 rushes, 34 yards
• JB Falatusi: 4 rushes, 26 yards
• Liam Brown: 3 rushes, 19 yards
• Jaxson Shandil: 3 rushes, 13 yards
Benson Bruins 9U (Defense):
• Kainoa Ongque: 1 fumble recovery
