The 13U Benson Bruins delivered a dominant performance in their Washington Youth Football League (WYFL) 14U playoff matchup against the B12 Bearcats, using an explosive offense, opportunistic defense and a big special teams play to secure a 44-0 victory and advance in the postseason.
Benson established control early, scoring 16 points in the first quarter and adding 20 more in the second to take a commanding 36-0 halftime lead. The Bruins’ defense intercepted B12 quarterback Damien Leha three times, while their offense capitalized on turnovers and consistently moved the ball into scoring position.
Jayden Moliga led Benson’s rushing attack with 60 yards and two touchdowns on six carries, while quarterback David Boyce Jr. passed for 97 yards and two touchdowns. Sebastian Rojo Jr. also delivered an outstanding performance, recording two interceptions and returning a punt 41 yards for a touchdown.
The Bearcats opened the game on offense, but Benson’s defense quickly established its presence. Leha connected with Jovian Pennington for a short gain before the Bruins forced B12 into a punting situation.
After another defensive stop, Benson took possession near midfield and immediately went to work. Moliga broke free for a 26-yard run, moving the Bruins to the Bearcats’ 18-yard line. Following another five-yard gain, Poyer Barber raced 13 yards into the end zone for the game’s first touchdown. A successful two-point conversion gave Benson an 8-0 lead.
The Bruins’ defense continued applying pressure on B12’s next possession. Ken Uti stopped Daniel Salas for a three-yard loss, and penalties pushed the Bearcats deeper into their own territory. Facing third-and-long, Leha was sacked by Fenix-Marvis Lefau-Moi for a two-yard loss, forcing another punt.
Rojo Jr. made the Bearcats pay, returning the punt 41 yards for a touchdown. Another successful two-point conversion extended Benson’s lead to 16-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Benson’s defense continued creating problems for B12 in the second quarter.
Rojo Jr. intercepted a Leha pass early in the period, giving the Bruins possession near the goal line. Moliga capitalized immediately, scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run.
On B12’s next possession, Ryson Lopez intercepted another Leha pass, setting up Moliga’s second touchdown, a six-yard run that extended Benson’s advantage.
The Bearcats attempted to regroup, but their next possession ended with another turnover. After Leha connected with Andre Goudy for a short gain, Rojo Jr. recorded his second interception of the game, giving Benson another opportunity to score before halftime.
This time, the Bruins put together a sustained scoring drive behind Boyce Jr.’s passing attack.
Boyce Jr. connected with Micaiah Mamea for a 20-yard gain before Moliga added nine yards on the ground. Boyce Jr. then found Mamea for another completion and connected with Moliga on consecutive passes of 13 and 15 yards.
Kay Jay Simonton Jr. contributed a five-yard run before Boyce Jr. found him for a 10-yard touchdown reception on third-and-five. The successful two-point conversion gave Benson a 36-0 halftime lead.
Despite the deficit, B12 continued battling in the second half.
In the third quarter, Leha connected with Goudy for a 15-yard gain, moving the Bearcats to midfield. However, Benson’s defense responded by stopping Salas for a six-yard loss. The Bearcats eventually faced fourth-and-13, and Leha’s pass fell incomplete, ending the drive.
Benson also moved the ball during the quarter, with Simonton Jr. completing a 15-yard pass to Anthony Jackson and Moliga adding another five-yard run. Neither team scored in the third quarter.
The Bruins added their final touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Boyce Jr. connected with Barber for a 12-yard gain before Moliga added another short run. Facing third-and-long, Boyce Jr. found Mamea for a 25-yard touchdown reception. The successful two-point conversion extended Benson’s lead to 44-0.
B12 continued fighting until the end, with Leha connecting with Goudy for a 23-yard gain on fourth-and-15 during the Bearcats’ final possession. However, Benson’s defense kept the shutout intact.
Moliga finished with 60 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Mamea contributed three receptions for 47 yards and a touchdown. Barber added a 13-yard touchdown run and a 12-yard reception, while Simonton Jr. caught a 10-yard touchdown pass and completed a 15-yard pass.
Defensively, Rojo Jr. led Benson with two interceptions, Lopez added another, and Lefau-Moi recorded a sack. The Bruins also received contributions from Uti and Kaydon Fletcher.
For B12, Leha finished with 86 rushing yards on nine carries, while Goudy contributed four receptions for 39 yards. Despite the Bearcats’ efforts, Benson’s defense prevented B12 from reaching the end zone.
The victory sends the Bruins into the next round of the WYFL playoffs, with Benson looking to build on its impressive performance as the postseason continues.
Game Stats
Benson Bruins
Passing: David Boyce Jr., 7-of-9, 97 yards, 2 TDs; Kay Jay Simonton Jr., 1-of-1, 15 yards.
Rushing: Jayden Moliga, 6 carries, 60 yards, 2 TDs; Sebastian Rojo Jr., 2 carries, 37 yards; Anthony Jackson, 1 carry, 15 yards; Poyer Barber, 1 carry, 13 yards, 1 TD; Kay Jay Simonton Jr., 1 carry, 5 yards; Ryson Lopez, 1 carry, 0 yards.
Receiving: Micaiah Mamea, 3 receptions, 47 yards, 1 TD; Jayden Moliga, 2 receptions, 28 yards; Anthony Jackson, 1 reception, 15 yards; Poyer Barber, 1 reception, 12 yards; Kay Jay Simonton Jr., 1 reception, 10 yards, 1 TD.
Defense: Sebastian Rojo Jr., 2 interceptions; Ryson Lopez, 1 interception; Fenix-Marvis Lefau-Moi, 1 sack.
Special Teams: Sebastian Rojo Jr., 41-yard punt return TD.
Scoring:
• Poyer Barber – 13-yard touchdown run.
• Sebastian Rojo Jr. – 41-yard punt return touchdown.
• Jayden Moliga – 10-yard touchdown run.
• Jayden Moliga – 6-yard touchdown run.
• Kay Jay Simonton Jr. – 10-yard touchdown reception from David Boyce Jr.
• Micaiah Mamea – 25-yard touchdown reception from David Boyce Jr.
B12 Bearcats
Passing: Damien Leha, 6-of-15, 49 yards, 3 interceptions; Andre Goudy, 0-of-2, 0 yards.
Rushing: Damien Leha, 9 carries, 86 yards; Miles Ames, 1 carry, 7 yards; Andre Goudy, 1 carry, 3 yards; Jovian Pennington, 1 carry, 3 yards; Daniel Salas, 9 carries, minus-9 yards.
Receiving: Andre Goudy, 4 receptions, 39 yards; Miles Ames, 1 reception, 7 yards; Jovian Pennington, 1 reception, 3 yards.
Defense: Jack Tauleilei, 1 tackle.
