Reported by Karrington Kincaid, The Seattle Medium
The Benson Bruins captured the Washington Youth Football League (WYFL) 14U Championship in gritty fashion Saturday at Mt. Tahoma High School, fending off a second-half surge by the Royal T Titans to win 28–19 in a hard-fought battle of wills, execution, and resilience.
Benson struck early, controlled the middle quarters, and relied on a stout defense to withstand a furious Titans comeback in the final minutes. The win marked a culmination of the Bruins’ disciplined offense, opportunistic defense, and a trio of touchdowns from quarterback Alexander Richards that proved decisive.
The opening quarter started with an immediate statement from the Bruins’ defense. Myles Motley’s first pass attempt of the game was picked off by Aaiden Brown, who set the tone early for Benson’s intensity on both sides of the ball. The Bruins moved the ball methodically from there. Henry Kwao broke off two strong runs before Richards found Kaiden Peterson-Leonardo for a short gain. Although the drive stalled, Benson had established its presence.
Royal T responded with a promising drive of its own, built on a six-yard pass from Motley to Kaivon Holmes and several positive runs by Daniel “DJ” Morales. However, momentum shifted quickly when the Titans fumbled and the Bruins recovered. Two plays later, Richards connected with Selassie Trahan-Castillo for a 13-yard gain before calling his own number and punching in the first touchdown of the game on a two-yard scramble. After the extra point, Benson led 7–0.
Carter Kimble returned the ensuing kickoff 40 yards for the Titans, setting up good field position. The Titans capitalized quickly when Jaxson Conger powered into the end zone from two yards out. The missed conversion left the score at 7–6 in favor of Benson.
The Titans kept the pressure on with a fumble recovery on the following kickoff, but couldn’t convert, as the Bruins’ defense, led by MJ Barber and Landon Bartlett, forced a punt to end the quarter.
Benson took control in the second quarter. After De’Shaun Brown Jr. and Peterson-Leonardo combined for several gains on the ground, Richards exploded for a 42-yard touchdown run, showing patience and vision to cut through the Titans defense. With another successful extra point, the Bruins pushed their lead to 14–6.
Royal T’s offense struggled to find rhythm in the second quarter, with multiple incomplete passes and a loss of yardage from Morales. Benson’s special teams then made an impact, as Peterson-Leonardo returned a punt 43 yards to flip the field. Kwao followed with a 30-yard sprint, dragging defenders along the sideline before Richards finished off the drive with a one-yard plunge for his third touchdown of the game. The Bruins entered halftime up 21–6 and seemingly in control.
But the Titans weren’t finished.
Coming out of the break, the Bruins struck quickly once more. Kwao added an 11-yard gain before Richards hit Peterson-Leonardo on a perfectly timed deep ball down the right sideline. The 69-yard strike was Benson’s fourth touchdown, extending the lead to 28–6 after yet another successful conversion.
Still, the Titans showed resolve. Morales, Kimble, and Conger led a ground-heavy response, with Conger scoring his second touchdown of the game from a yard out. The successful conversion trimmed the margin to 28–13.
Benson looked ready to answer with another strong drive, including a run by Brown Jr. and a pass from Richards to Bartlett. However, the Titans’ defense began to close gaps and limit big plays, and Benson’s next few possessions stalled.
In the fourth quarter, Royal T dug deep. Quarterback Christian Williams took over late, orchestrating a drive with a mix of designed runs and short completions. Williams ran for gains of 13, 17, and 8 yards on back-to-back plays, while also connecting with Azariah Solo for a 9-yard gain to keep the chains moving. After several penalties and setbacks, Williams fired a strike to Morales for an 11-yard touchdown that pulled the Titans within nine. The missed conversion left the score at 28–19 with time running out.
Royal T attempted one last desperate push following a Benson turnover, but a second fumble recovery by the Bruins shut the door. Despite late urgency from Williams and Conger, the clock expired on the Titans’ season.
The win capped a stellar season for the Benson Bruins 13U squad, who now walk away as champions of the WYFL, 2025.
Player Stats
Benson Bruins – Offense:
• Alexander Richards – 4 rushes, 53 yards, 3 TDs; 4/5 passing, 96 yards, 1 TD
• Kaiden Peterson-Leonardo – 5 rushes, 27 yards; 2 receptions, 72 yards, 1 TD; 43-yard punt return
• Henry Kwao – 4 rushes, 56 yards
• De’Shaun Brown Jr. – 6 rushes, 20 yards
• Selassie Trahan-Castillo – 1 reception, 13 yards
• Landon Bartlett – 1 rush, 3 yards; 1 reception, 11 yards
• Makoa Titialii – 2 rushes, 5 yards
Benson Bruins – Defense:
• Aaiden Brown – 1 INT
Royal T Titans – Offense:
• Jaxson Conger – 7 rushes, 51 yards, 2 TDs
• Daniel “DJ” Morales – 10 rushes, 12 yards, 1 TD; 1 reception, 11 yards
• Christian Williams – 4 rushes, 40 yards; 2/4 passing, 20 yards; 2 receptions, 37 yards
• Myles Motley – 2 rushes, -5 yards; 4/8 passing, 43 yards
• Carter Kimble – 2 rushes, 14 yards
• Kaivon Holmes – 1 reception, 6 yards
• Azariah Solo – 1 reception, 9 yards
Royal T Titans – Defense:
• Myles Motley – 1 INT
