By RayJaun Stelly, The Seattle Medium
Opening weekend for youth football took place last Saturday as teams throughout the Puget Sound took to the field to start the 2022 season. At Renton Stadium, a highly-anticipated 12U matchup between the Benson Bruins and Central District Panthers did not disappoint.
In the first quarter both teams enforced their defensive presence. From opening kickoff, Benson set the tone with a huge hit that got their fans involved and riled up. The Benson defense followed up by making the Panthers go three-and-out forcing the game’s first punt.
Offensively, the Bruins looked to establish their running game early, which appeared to give them momentum, but that came to a halt when they tried throwing the ball down field and it was intercepted by the Panthers.
Following the turnover, Benson didn’t shy away from their defensive game plan which allowed the defensive line to get back-to-back sacks on the quarterback, and ultimately stopped the Panthers ability to initiate their offense early in the game. Both teams struggled offensively as sacks, early interception, and penalties resulted in the score being tied at 0-0 heading into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, both defenses continued to dominate the game. Benson would force a punt, a turnover on downs, get an interception and force three offsides penalties, while the Panthers disrupted passes, sacked the quarterback, and recorded their second interception of the contest as the game remained scoreless until the final minute before halftime.
With 42.5 seconds left in the half, CD would break the ice and looked to take a 7-0 lead into the half as they scored the game’s first touchdown on a 10-yard run by Mykhai Phillips.
Down seven, the Bruins would immediately respond as Kaicen Carter would score a rushing touchdown with 20 seconds left in the half. CD looked like they would take the lead again before half time, as they would return the kickoff for a touchdown only to see it was called back for an illegal hit penalty. With the penalty, a potential 14-7 lead for the Panthers got erased from the scoreboard as the teams win into the half tied at 7.
During the second half, both offenses went stagnant for the remaining 20 minutes leaving fans from both sides on the edge of their seats. Tackles for losses were the staple of this half, as both defensive lines were easily able to get to each team’s quarterbacks on every other set of downs.
Late in the game, Benson looked like they were on their way to victory with a ‘pick-6’, but the Panthers’ Mykhai Phillips chased down the Bruin defender and stripped the ball away from him. The touchdown saving effort forced the game into overtime.
With extra time on the clock, both teams scored in the first overtime leaving the game tied at 13-13, which forced the game into double overtime. Benson would strike first to start the second overtime with a second rushing touchdown by Kaicen Carter, giving them a 19-13 lead. With Panthers having an opportunity to tie the game again and force a third overtime, Benson’s defense held strong as they forced a fumble and recovered the ball to win the game.
Despite the loss, CD Panthers Head Coach Damien Harper believes that his team will learn from their mistakes and keep improving throughout the season.
“Back to the drawing board, no excuses, we have to coach the kids up,” said CD Panther head coach Damien Harper. “Getting healthy is a priority. We had a few guys hurt, but it’s a team game and the next man has to step up.”
Such an up and down game it’s too bad someone had to lose, but the Benson Bruins were able to pull out a nailbiter, winning 19-13 against the CD Panthers. Both teams will be in action September 10. The Panthers will play Heir Odd at Judkins Park, and Benson will play the Renton Rangers at Renton Memorial Stadium.
