Reported by Karrington Kincaid, The Seattle Medium
The Benson Bruins 6U squad left no doubt about who the top team in their division was this season, delivering a complete and convincing 18-0 victory over the CD Panthers to capture the 2025 Washington Youth Football League (WYFL) 6U Championship at Mount Tahoma High School.
From the opening snap, the Bruins showcased a blend of speed, discipline, and physicality that proved overwhelming. Anchored by an offensive line that consistently created space and a swarming defense that gave up almost no big plays, Benson controlled the pace of the game on both sides of the ball. Their performance was a model of how a young team can thrive with fundamentals, effort, and explosive playmaking.
The opening quarter saw the Bruins and Panthers trading short gains and feeling out each other’s defensive fronts. Early on, CD’s defense showed flashes of resistance, with Amir Spinks making a solid open-field tackle behind the line of scrimmage to force a loss on Benson’s first offensive play. But Benson quickly responded. After a short two-yard gain by Jayden Long and a loss on the next play, the explosive tailback made his mark.
On 3rd down, Long took a handoff, bounced the run outside, and outraced the entire CD secondary down the sideline for a 62-yard touchdown. His acceleration stunned the Panthers’ defense and energized the Benson sideline and crowd. Though the extra point conversion was no good, the Bruins were on the board with a 6-0 lead.
CD attempted to mount a response on their next drive. Running back Lucian Brandon IV delivered a hard-fought 11-yard gain, followed by several short runs from Dimitri Wilturner and Spinks. The Panthers were able to string together a few positive plays to get across midfield, showing promise as their blockers started to find rhythm. But a crucial stop by Benson linebacker Damari’on-Ray Brackins forced a 3rd-and-long, and the Bruins’ defense held firm to end the drive on downs.
As the game moved into the second quarter, Benson’s defense continued to step up. Joseph Harris Jr. made a key tackle for a loss, and Keanu Pelenato added another stop in the backfield, halting CD’s momentum. A short CD punt gave the Bruins good field position, and the offense went right back to work.
After a short gain from Blaze Solo and another carry by Long, it was once again the electric running back who made the big play. This time, Long cut through the heart of the defense for a 67-yard touchdown, his second long run of the day. The CD defense had few answers for his blend of agility and top-end speed. Though Benson missed the conversion again, the Bruins extended their lead to 12-0 going into halftime.
Coming out of the break, the Panthers remained determined. They tried to chip away at Benson’s defensive front with more carries from Wilturner and Spinks, grinding out small chunks of yardage. But every time CD seemed close to breaking a big play, Benson’s defense closed the gap. Brackins again made a timely stop in the backfield, while Jackson Massey added a tackle for loss in the third quarter.
Still, the Bruins couldn’t capitalize offensively during the third. Their drives stalled, and both teams exchanged punts. The clock ticked down, and CD’s chances began to dwindle.
Early in the fourth quarter, the game’s turning point came not from a planned play, but from a defensive reaction. As CD attempted to mount a last-ditch comeback, the Panthers fumbled a snap deep in their own territory. Blaze Solo, who had contributed offensively earlier, pounced on the loose ball and took it 72 yards to the house. The defensive touchdown was a backbreaker for the Panthers and all but sealed the championship for the Bruins, who now led 18-0.
It was a fitting capstone for a team that had dominated both sides of the ball throughout the season. The defensive unit for Benson — comprised of emerging talents like Brackins, Harris Jr., Pelenato, and Massey — executed with discipline and aggression, limiting CD to short gains and forcing multiple negative plays.
For the Panthers, despite the shutout loss, several players showed grit and effort throughout. Brandon IV led all CD rushers with 20 yards on 10 carries and provided a spark on a few drives. Wilturner and Spinks combined for over 25 yards rushing but struggled to find daylight against a well-prepared Benson front.
Even with the game out of reach late, the Panthers continued to fight, pushing for a score in the final two minutes. Christian Johnson and Brandon IV pushed the pile on several plays, but the Bruins’ defense never let up, forcing a turnover on downs near midfield to end the game.
Player Stats
Benson Bruins – Offense:
• Jayden Long – 5 rushes, 127 yards, 2 TDs
• Blaze Solo – 1 rush, 8 yards
• Nasir Bosley – 1 rush, -3 yards
Benson Bruins – Defense:
• Damari’on-Ray Brackins – 2 tackles
• Blaze Solo – 72-yard fumble return TD
CD Panthers – Offense:
• Lucian Brandon IV – 10 rushes, 20 yards
• Amir Spinks – 9 rushes, 18 yards
• Dimitri Wilturner – 8 rushes, 10 yards
• Robert Lexing V – 1 rush, 5 yards
• Gianni Johnson – 2 rushes, 4 yards
