By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
The Benson Bruins Pull Up Boyz 12U dominated in all three phases of the game in their 67-6 victory over HEIR 12U in Washington Youth Football League action last Saturday.
Benson came out firing, setting the tone early on both sides of the ball. After forcing HEIR to punt on its opening possession, Keithryan Cruz immediately put the Bruins on the board with a 20-yard touchdown run. Jacob Tupou added the extra point to give Benson a 7-0 lead with 7:20 remaining in the opening quarter.
Benson’s defense continued to create problems for HEIR, with Disaiah Tautolo and Tommy Rehon-Leaupepe recording sacks as the Bruins repeatedly disrupted HEIR’s offense.
Then Benson’s special teams got into the act. Edyn Pula delivered a big punt return down to the 2-yard line, setting up Reggie Brown for a short touchdown run. Jayden Mendoza added the extra point to give Benson a 14-0 lead with 5:37 remaining in the first quarter.
However, the Bruins weren’t finished. Jermain Falefia Jr. broke loose for a 23-yard run before Brown followed with a 22-yard touchdown run. Cruz converted the extra point, and Benson carried a 21-0 advantage into the second quarter.
Benson kept the pressure on in the second quarter. Zion Taamu opened the scoring with an explosive 65-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 27-0.
After the defense stopped HEIR on fourth down, Roman Talitiga broke free for a 23-yard gain before Peyton Taito finished the drive with a 30-yard touchdown run, pushing the score to 33-0 with 6:21 remaining in the half.
Tautolo continued to anchor the defense, recording another sack for a 5-yard loss and following it with another big tackle as the Bruins forced HEIR to punt again.
This time, Taamu made HEIR pay on special teams.
Taamu returned the punt 25 yards for a touchdown, his second score of the quarter. Jesiah Hopson added the extra point to give Benson a 40-0 advantage with 3:58 remaining in the half.
Benson’s defense quickly gave the ball back to the offense when Falefia intercepted an HEIR pass near midfield. The Bruins eventually faced fourth-and-5 late in the half, but Brown broke loose for a 47-yard touchdown run. Cruz converted the extra point, sending the Pull Up Boyz into halftime with a commanding 47-0 lead.
With a running clock beginning in the third quarter, Benson wasted little time adding to its lead.
Taamu broke another big play, racing 66 yards for his third touchdown of the game. His three scores came on explosive plays of 65, 25 and 66 yards, including two touchdown runs and a punt return for a score. Peyton Taito converted the extra point to make it 54-0 with 7:46 remaining in the quarter.
HEIR showed some fight on its next possession. Jaylen Price II broke loose for a 26-yard run, and Ezekiel Jennings added a 4-yard gain as HEIR moved into Benson territory. But the Bruins’ defense continued to make things difficult, producing tackles for loss and a 7-yard sack by multiple defenders.
HEIR finally broke through in the fourth quarter when Price II scored on a 15-yard touchdown run. Price finished with 47 yards and a touchdown on four carries as HEIR cut the deficit to 54-6.
Benson answered almost immediately.
Maverick Wheeldon exploded for a 50-yard touchdown run, pushing the score to 60-6 with four minutes remaining.
The Bruins’ defense then provided the final score. King Sefronio-Byrd intercepted an HEIR pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. Pula added the extra point, sealing a 67-6 victory for the Pull Up Boyz.
Benson’s balance was evident throughout the game. Six different Bruins scored touchdowns, with Taamu and Brown each reaching the end zone three times. The Pull Up Boyz scored eight touchdowns on offense, added another on special teams and capped the game with Sefronio-Byrd’s interception return for a touchdown.
Taamu was one of Benson’s biggest playmakers, rushing for 131 yards and two touchdowns on just two carries while adding the 25-yard punt-return touchdown. Brown carried four times for 75 yards and three touchdowns, while Wheeldon scored on his only carry, a 50-yard run. Cruz added 30 yards and a touchdown on three carries, Peyton Taito scored on a 30-yard run, and Talitiga and Falefia each contributed 23-yard runs.
The Bruins were equally disruptive defensively, holding HEIR to six points while recording at least five sacks and two interceptions. Falefia recorded one interception, while Sefronio-Byrd turned his interception into the game’s final touchdown.
After the game, Benson head coach Gabe Taito said he was proud of the way his team performed.
“They played well in all 3 phases of the game,” said Taito. “With offense putting up touchdowns and defense allowing only 6 points all game. Everyone got a piece of the pie.”
Game Stats:
Benson Rushing: Zion Taamu 2-131, 2 TD; Reggie Brown 4-75, 3 TD; Maverick Wheeldon 1-50, TD; Keithryan Cruz 3-30, TD; Peyton Taito 1-30, TD; Jermain Falefia Jr. 1-23; Roman Talitiga 1-23.
Benson Passing: Ezekiel Lualua 1 completion, 15 yards; Peyton Taito 0-1, 0 yards.
Benson Receiving: Peyton Taito 1-15.
Benson Special Teams: Zion Taamu, 25-yard punt-return TD; Edyn Pula, punt return to HEIR 2-yard line.
Benson Defense: Disaiah Tautolo, 2 sacks; Tommy Rehon-Leaupepe, 2 sacks; Benson team/multiple defenders, 1 sack; Jermain Falefia Jr., INT; King Sefronio-Byrd, 30-yard INT return TD.
Benson Extra Points: Keithryan Cruz 2; Jacob Tupou 1; Jayden Mendoza 1; Jesiah Hopson 1; Peyton Taito 1; Edyn Pula 1.
Benson Touchdowns: Reggie Brown 3 rushing; Zion Taamu 3 (2 rushing, 1 punt return); Keithryan Cruz 1 rushing; Peyton Taito 1 rushing; Maverick Wheeldon 1 rushing; King Sefronio-Byrd 1 interception return.
HEIR Rushing: Jaylen Price II 4-47, TD; Ezekiel Jennings 1-4; Grayson Kvamme 1-1.
HEIR Scoring: Jaylen Price II, 15-yard rushing TD.
