No. 4-seeded Rise 14U used an explosive offensive performance and a relentless defensive effort to defeat the No. 5-seeded Renton Rangers 44-0 in the Washington Youth Football League (WYFL) playoffs, scoring all 44 points in the first half to advance to the next round.
Rise received contributions from several players, including Clyde Hawkins IV, who rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns, quarterback Brody Sapp, who completed all four of his passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns, and Mataio Tanner, who caught two touchdown passes for 63 yards.
Defensively, Rise repeatedly disrupted Renton’s offensive possessions, forcing turnovers, recording sacks and preventing the Rangers from establishing any consistent momentum.
Renton opened the game on offense and attempted to move the ball behind quarterback Thomas Maldonado. After an offsides penalty against Rise, Maldonado was stopped for a 2-yard loss before being held to no gain on his next carry.
A facemask penalty against Rise helped extend the possession, and Maldonado later converted a fourth-down opportunity with a 7-yard run. However, Rise’s defense responded when Samisoni Taufalele stopped Maldonado for a 4-yard loss.
After two incomplete passes, Renton was forced to punt, giving Rise its first offensive opportunity.
Starting at its own 10-yard line, Rise immediately turned to Hawkins.
Hawkins broke loose for a 27-yard run on the opening play before following with a 63-yard touchdown run, giving Rise a 7-0 lead following the successful extra-point attempt.
Renton attempted to respond, but its next possession ended with another setback.
After Keyon Wilford Jr. returned the kickoff eight yards, Maldonado was stopped for a 5-yard loss by MJ Leiato. On the following play, Maldonado fumbled, and Rise’s Jrome Olive recovered the ball, giving Rise possession deep in Renton territory.
Hawkins opened the drive with a 2-yard run before a 15-yard penalty pushed Rise backward. Facing second-and-long, Sapp connected with Taufalele on a 20-yard completion, moving Rise closer to the end zone.
On third-and-four from the 16-yard line, Olive broke through the Renton defense for a 16-yard touchdown run. The successful extra-point attempt extended Rise’s lead to 14-0.
Renton regained possession following a 3-yard kickoff return by Dylan Fischer, but another fumble disrupted the drive. Wilford recovered the ball for the Rangers, allowing Renton to retain possession as the first quarter ended.
However, the Rangers’ difficulties continued at the start of the second quarter.
Maldonado fumbled again, and Rise’s Shannan Lefao recovered the ball, giving the offense another scoring opportunity.
Hawkins wasted little time capitalizing.
On the first play of the possession, Hawkins broke free for a 24-yard touchdown run, his second score of the game. Rise converted the two-point attempt to extend its lead to 22-0.
Renton attempted to regroup, but Rise’s defense continued applying pressure.
Maldonado was stopped for a 5-yard loss by Dravian Careaga-Yann before completing a short pass to Wilford for one yard. Facing third-and-long, Maldonado dropped back to pass but was sacked by Kaiden Kemp for an 18-yard loss.
Renton attempted to keep the drive alive on fourth down, but Bentley Mitchell’s pass fell incomplete, giving Rise another opportunity.
After a penalty against Rise, Sapp connected with Josiah Sambrao-Corneolius on a 40-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 28-0.
Rise continued producing big plays through the passing game.
Sapp connected with Tanner on a 43-yard touchdown pass, and the successful two-point conversion increased Rise’s advantage to 36-0.
Renton’s next possession ended with another turnover when Maldonado fumbled and Vaeagi Ta’a recovered the ball for Rise.
Taking over at the Renton 20-yard line, Rise went back to its passing attack.
Sapp found Tanner for a 20-yard touchdown completion, Tanner’s second touchdown reception of the game. Another successful two-point conversion pushed the lead to 44-0 before halftime.
With Rise holding a commanding advantage, the second half developed into a defensive battle as neither team added to the score.
Rise opened the third quarter with Careaga-Yann gaining two yards on the ground. After an incomplete pass, Careaga-Yann added three more yards before Renton’s defense came up with a fourth-down stop.
Maldonado broke through the line and sacked Careaga-Yann for a 4-yard loss, giving Renton possession.
The Rangers responded with one of their more productive offensive sequences of the game.
Maldonado connected with Bentley Mitchell on a 19-yard completion, moving Renton into Rise territory. However, the next completion to Romecio Tone resulted in a 6-yard loss, putting the Rangers behind schedule.
A fumble and additional lost yardage pushed Renton farther backward before Maldonado attempted to convert on third-and-long.
Rise’s Dominic Charleston Jr. intercepted the pass, ending the Rangers’ scoring opportunity and giving Rise possession.
Rise attempted to move the ball behind Careaga-Yann, but an incomplete pass and consecutive penalties created another difficult situation.
As the fourth quarter began, Careaga-Yann connected with Sambrao-Corneolius on a 14-yard completion. However, a 3-yard loss by Ta’a and subsequent incomplete passes prevented Rise from extending its lead.
Renton regained possession, but Rise’s defense continued to control the line of scrimmage.
Kemp recorded his second sack of the game, bringing down Maldonado for a 9-yard loss. The Rangers recovered another fumble on the following play, but the offense remained backed up and was unable to generate a scoring opportunity.
Rise’s offensive production was led by Hawkins, who finished with 116 rushing yards on four carries and two touchdowns, including a 63-yard scoring run. Olive added a 16-yard touchdown run.
Sapp completed all four of his pass attempts for 123 yards and three touchdowns. Tanner caught two passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns, while Sambrao-Corneolius recorded a 40-yard touchdown reception. Taufalele added a 20-yard reception.
Defensively, Kemp recorded two sacks, while Charleston intercepted a pass. Careaga-Yann, Taufalele and Leiato each recorded a tackle, and Olive, Lefao and Ta’a contributed fumble recoveries.
For Renton, Maldonado faced consistent defensive pressure throughout the game but continued attempting to move the offense through the air and on the ground. He completed passes to Mitchell, Wilford and Tone, while also recording a fourth-down rushing conversion during the opening possession.
Maldonado also contributed defensively, recording a sack and a tackle.
Although Renton continued competing in the second half and prevented Rise from adding to its lead, the combination of explosive first-half touchdowns, defensive pressure and turnovers proved too much to overcome.
Rise’s ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities and repeatedly disrupt the Rangers’ offense secured the 44-0 shutout victory and a spot in the next round of the WYFL playoffs.
Game Stats
Rise 14U
Passing: Brody Sapp, 4-of-4, 123 yards, 3 TDs; Dravian Careaga-Yann, 1-of-5, 14 yards.
Rushing: Clyde Hawkins IV, 4 carries, 116 yards, 2 TDs; Jrome Olive, 1 carry, 16 yards, 1 TD; Dravian Careaga-Yann, 2 carries, 5 yards; Vaeagi Ta’a, 1 carry, minus-3 yards.
Receiving: Mataio Tanner, 2 receptions, 63 yards, 2 TDs; Josiah Sambrao-Corneolius, 2 receptions, 54 yards, 1 TD; Samisoni Taufalele, 1 reception, 20 yards.
Defense: Kaiden Kemp, 2 sacks; Dominic Charleston Jr., 1 interception; Dravian Careaga-Yann, 1 tackle; Samisoni Taufalele, 1 tackle; MJ Leiato, 1 tackle; Jrome Olive, 1 fumble recovery; Shannan Lefao, 1 fumble recovery; Vaeagi Ta’a, 1 fumble recovery.
Renton Rangers 14U
Passing: Thomas Maldonado, 3 completions, 14 yards, 1 INT; Bentley Mitchell, 0-of-1, 0 yards.
Rushing: Thomas Maldonado, 6 carries for minus-9 yards.
Receiving: Bentley Mitchell, 1 reception, 19 yards; Keyon Wilford Jr., 1 reception, 1 yard; Romecio Tone, 1 reception, minus-6 yards.
Defense: Thomas Maldonado, 1 sack.
