By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
As the Northwest Junior Premier Little League season nears the playoffs, seeding becomes critical for teams, especially in the 10U division. The Renton Rangers are 2-2 and are fighting for a spot in the playoffs. Ahead of them in the standings, and in their way, are the B12 Bearcats, who are 3-2 and looking to maintain their postseason position. A win against Renton, a team they beat 12-8 earlier this year, could help them achieve that.
The B12 Bearcats were coming off back-to-back losses before getting a win against Heir 9U’s team. Knowing they needed to go undefeated against Renton this season, they imposed their will, starting defensively.
Allowing teams to score rapidly in those two losses, B12 knew that the defense would be the key to holding Renton to just one touchdown, as they did in week one.
Renton’s offense couldn’t find success early on, thanks to the Bearcats’ disruptiveness toward the Rangers’ quarterback. They had the ability to cause havoc and cover all aspects from linebacker, defensive back, and defensive end positions. Linebackers, who for the most part cover the middle of the field, kept running backs and receivers from gaining extra yards downfield.
Defensive backs in the secondary deflected passes and made routes difficult for receivers to potentially get open, and from that, the defensive line was winning the battle at the line of scrimmage. Using their fundamental skill sets to get past blockers generated pressure on Renton’s quarterback, forcing incomplete throws and sacks, or tackling the running backs for lost yards.
Keeping the Rangers’ offense off track, as they did during week one, B12’s continuous ability to get Renton’s offense off the field with three-and-outs provided multiple opportunities for them offensively to put points on the board, and they would do just that. The Bearcats would score the game’s first touchdown, giving them a 7-0 lead, before both teams would endure a scoring drought, which is credited to both defenses buckling down against one another.
Although Renton’s defense gave up a touchdown, that didn’t stop them from battling to keep B12 out of the end zone and get their offense the ball as quickly as possible to try and not let the game get away from them. The Rangers gave B12 a dose of their medicine, starting with pressuring the quarterback and not letting him find comfort within his pass protection. This alone forced the Bearcats into incomplete passes because his throws were not on target, like they were in their first matchup.
Covering their bases when it came to limiting receivers, Renton would begin infiltrating the line of scrimmage, which hindered B12’s rushing attack, holding them to minimal yards on each carry or even for no gain. By stopping the running back, the Rangers were able to sack the quarterback, which ultimately disrupted whatever play was called.
With the Rangers getting the necessary stops at hand, this helped fuel the offense and put together a drive that resulted in them finally reaching the end zone.
Finally scoring a touchdown, Renton needed to complete the PAT to tie the game up at 7, but B12’s defense rose to the occasion yet again by getting a stop and holding a 7-6 lead. Now in a close-knit game with only a point separating them, a touchdown from either team could be the potential game-winning score, due to the fact both defenses had buckled down. The Bearcats holding the lead looked to give themselves some breathing room either with a field goal or a touchdown, knowing a potential playoff spot could be taken away with a loss or somewhat secured by winning. B12 answered.
B12 would march downfield, controlling time of possession by opening up the playbook, having success running the ball and completing passes, which kept the game clock running. All things combined, the Bearcats found themselves in the end zone yet again and successfully completed their drive with a rushing touchdown, increasing the lead to 14-6. Renton, just like in week one, had one more chance to try and tie the game up, down by eight, with fans and coaches hoping for stellar execution from the Rangers. But B12’s defense would get the necessary stop to end that potential game-tying drive.
As the saying goes, ‘defense wins games,’ and B12’s defense did just that, holding Renton to just one touchdown for the second time this season. Improving to 4-2 and now sitting third in the division standings, B12 will face 5 Star this week. While Renton, now 2-3, will look to close their season out with back-to-back wins to keep their playoff hopes alive.
