Reported by Karrington Kincaid, The Seattle Medium
In a highly anticipated WYFL 14U matchup between two undefeated league leaders, the Benson Bruins delivered a statement performance on both sides of the ball, shutting out the B12 Bearcats 32-0. Both teams entered the contest with matching 4–0 overall records and 2–0 marks in league play, averaging over 32 points per game and allowing just six. But on this day, it was the Bruins’ suffocating defense—highlighted by five interceptions—that separated them.
Right out of the gate, the Bruins’ defense set the tone. On just the second play from scrimmage, Kaiden Peterson-Leonardo read the quarterback perfectly, stepped in front of a Haru Nishiyma pass, and came down with the interception—immediately swinging momentum in Benson’s favor. The Bruins wasted no time capitalizing. Henry Kwao broke through the defense for a 13-yard gain, followed by a five-yard run from Peterson-Leonardo. Moments later, Kwao powered into the end zone for the game’s opening touchdown. With the extra point good, Benson led 7-0 early.
The Bearcats tried to respond, but the Bruins defense remained locked in. On the next Bearcats drive, a loss on the ground set up a long second down, and Selassie Trahan-Castillo came away with Benson’s second interception of the quarter. Back on offense, Benson leaned again on Kwao and Peterson-Leonardo, who ripped off a 23-yard run and followed with a 34-yarder through traffic. Penalties on both sides slowed the drive, but De’Shaun Brown Jr. broke free for a 15-yard gain to keep the Bruins in control.
Midway through the second quarter, Nishiyma threw his third interception of the day—this time to Sincere Butler—giving the Bruins another short field. Peterson-Leonardo and Kwao combined for more tough yards on the ground, and Landon Bartlett finished the drive with a six-yard touchdown run to double the lead to 14-0.
The Bruins’ defense stayed relentless. Trahan-Castillo pulled in his second interception of the game late in the half to give Benson one more shot before the break. Kwao added another double-digit carry, and quarterback Alexander Richards connected with Bartlett for 16 yards, then Sean Novillo for 27 more to close the half deep in Bearcat territory.
Benson came out of halftime just as strong. Kwao sparked the third quarter with a 51-yard kickoff return, and after a short gain from Brown Jr., Richards scrambled for 29 yards to put the Bruins back in scoring position. A few plays later, Richards hit Easton Stolmeier on an 11-yard touchdown pass. The extra point pushed the lead to 21-0.
But the Bruins weren’t done. On the Bearcats’ very next possession, Nishiyma looked to go deep, but Peterson-Leonardo jumped the route, snagged his second interception of the game, and sprinted 38 yards untouched for the touchdown. Although the extra point attempt missed, the Bruins were firmly in control at 27-0.
After a short offensive series from the Bearcats, Benson took the ball again. Richards and Stolmeier kept the offense moving, and Novillo added a pair of strong runs to set up a final dagger. With under two minutes left, De’Shaun Brown Jr. broke loose for a 25-yard touchdown to cap the scoring at 32-0.
On the day, the Bruins’ defense collected six interceptions: two from Trahan-Castillo, two from Peterson-Leonardo (including the touchdown return), one from Butler, and one from Aaiden Brown. Benson controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides and allowed just 39 rushing yards across four quarters.
Offensively, Kwao led the Bruins with 57 rushing yards and a score, while Brown Jr. added 51 yards and a touchdown of his own. Richards went a perfect 3-for-3 through the air for 54 yards and added a long 29-yard run. Bartlett contributed on both ends of the passing game with a touchdown catch and a short scoring run. It was a balanced, composed showing from a Bruins squad that continues to look like one of the top contenders in the WYFL 14U division.
After the game, Benson head coach Chris Vala credited the team’s preparation and collective commitment.
“Everybody plays a part and we get dialed in,” said Vala. “We do film once or twice a week to have a game plan… and we just hammer out the X’s and O’s. It all starts from the players to the parents—we couldn’t do any of this without them.”
With the win, the Bruins improve to 3-0 in league play and remain undefeated on the season. The Bearcats drop to 2-1 in league play but remain firmly in the playoff mix.
Player Statistics
Benson Bruins (Offense):
• Henry Kwao: 7 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD
• Kaiden Peterson-Leonardo: 6 carries, 69 yards
• De’Shaun Brown Jr.: 7 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD
• Sean Novillo: 3 carries, 28 yards
• Mike (MJ) Barber: 3 carries, 17 yards
• Landon Bartlett: 1 carry, 6 yards, 1 TD; 1 reception, 16 yards
• Alexander Richards: 2 carries, 31 yards;3/3 passing, 54 yards, 1 TD
• Easton Stolmeier: 1 reception, 11 yards, 1 TD
Benson Bruins (Defense):
• Kaiden Peterson-Leonardo: 2 interceptions (1 returned 38 yards for a TD)
• Selassie Trahan-Castillo: 2 interceptions
• Sincere Butler: 1 interception
•Aaiden Brown: 1 interception
B12 Bearcats (Offense):
• Kelii Weggin: 4 carries, 10 yards; 2 receptions, 11 yards
• Xavier Gonzalez: 3 carries, 11 yards | 2/3 passing, 8 yards | 1 reception, 6 yards
B12 Bearcats (Defense):
• Xavier Gonzalez: 1 interception
