Reported by Karrington Kincaid, The Seattle Medium
The Benson Bruins 8U team capped off their season with a commanding 31–6 victory over the B12 Bearcats in the Washington Youth Football League (WYFL) 8U Championship game. From the opening whistle, Benson dictated the tempo on both sides of the ball, showcasing explosive running, tight defensive pressure, and relentless energy that overwhelmed the Bearcats throughout the contest.
Benson wasted no time making a statement. After recovering a fumble on B12’s opening drive, the Bruins struck fast. Khalil Ladd, the team’s premier playmaker, exploded for a 35-yard run that set the tone for the afternoon. On the very next series, Judah Tamasaunoa Maile burst through the line and sprinted 24 yards for the game’s first touchdown. Though the extra point failed, the Bruins took a 6–0 lead and never looked back.
After the Bearcats struggled to gain traction on their next possession, as they were stymied by the swarming Bruins defense, Benson capitalized again. Another quick stop and an onside recovery set up Maile’s second touchdown of the quarter, a dazzling 41-yard sprint that saw him outrun the Bearcats’ last line of defense. By the end of the first quarter, Benson led 12–0 and had seized complete control of the championship stage.
The second quarter saw more of the same, with Benson’s ground game wearing down the Bearcats. Ladd continued to navigate his way through the defense, including a 24-yard run that set the Bruins up deep in B12 territory. Later in the drive, Ladd took a handoff and bolted 23 yards into the end zone for his first touchdown of the game. This time, the extra point was good, pushing the Bruins’ lead to 19–0 at halftime.
Credit is due to the Benson defense, which was as efficient as it was physical. Emmett Noel and Karmelo Fesili made key tackles behind the line of scrimmage, while Adrian Piper-Davis contributed with timely stops that kept B12 from establishing any offensive rhythm. The Bearcats had few answers for Benson’s front, as negative-yardage plays piled up and momentum drifted further away.
After halftime, the Bruins didn’t let up. Opening the third quarter with renewed energy, Maile and Ladd continued to rack up yards on the ground. Maile added another long run and Ladd followed with a 41-yard touchdown scamper, his second of the game. Even when Benson’s offense stalled, they managed to dominate field position, forcing the Bearcats to start deep in their own territory.
A third touchdown run from Ladd, a 50-yard sprint down the sideline, capped off Benson’s scoring. The elusive back finished the day with three touchdowns and more than 180 yards on the ground, securing his spot as the game’s MVP.
With the game slipping away, the Bearcats showed some late life. In the fourth quarter, quarterback Isaiah Dreakford found Jayven Taylor deep downfield for a 50-yard touchdown pass, finally getting the Bearcats on the scoreboard. But it was too little, too late. Benson’s defense stiffened once more, and the final minutes ticked away with the outcome well in hand.
For the Bruins, this win was more than a championship. It was a culmination of teamwork, discipline, and a well-executed game plan. Head coach and staff clearly had their team prepared on both sides of the ball, and the execution from the players was nearly flawless.
Benson recovered two onside kicks, forced multiple turnovers, and held the Bearcats scoreless for three full quarters. The depth of talent on their roster showed not just in highlight plays, but in sustained pressure, blocking up front, and hustle on every down. It was a complete team victory and a fitting end to a standout season.
The B12 Bearcats, to their credit, never stopped fighting. Taylor and Dreakford showed flashes of playmaking ability, and several defenders including Jaxsen Smoot and Ja’Bez Robinson delivered hard-earned tackles in open space. But Benson’s early scoring and relentless tempo left the Bearcats little room to recover.
With this win, Benson’s 8U team claims the WYFL championship in convincing fashion. The future looks bright for this young group of athletes, many of whom will soon move up the age brackets, carrying championship experience and confidence with them.
Benson Bruins – Offense:
• Khalil Ladd – 12 rushes, 181 yards, 3 TDs
• Judah Tamasaunoa Maile – 6 rushes, 74 yards, 2 TDs
• James Hatfield – 3 rushes, 4 yards
• Tyrone Bellinger Jr. – 1 rush, 8 yards
• Aiden Nieves-Leon – 1 rush, 3 yards
Benson Bruins – Defense:
• Karmelo Fesili – 1 fumble recovery
B12 Bearcats – Offense:
• Jayven Taylor – 1 rush, -4 yards; 2 receptions, 64 yards, 1 TD
• Isaiah Dreakford – 4 rushes, -6 yards; 2/2 passing, 64 yards
• Leeangelo Bentley – 10 rushes, 24 yards
• De’ontae Bain-Porter – 2 rushes, 7 yards
• Kyng Bates – 2 rushes, -3 yards
B12 Bearcats – Defense:
• Jayven Taylor – 1 fumble recovery
