Compiled by Karrington Kincaid, The Seattle Medium
In a spirited youth football matchup between the 9U Benson Bruins and the 10U C2C Rams, it was the Bruins who found their rhythm early and never looked back, coming away with a 32-0 win. With contributions from multiple playmakers on both sides of the ball, Benson pulled away in the second half to seal the win, while the Rams showed fight and flashes of potential that point toward a promising future.
The action started quickly, with Benson quarterback Johzias Failautusi setting the tone. He opened the game with a 29-yard run that brought the Bruins into the red zone, then capped off the drive with a 3-yard touchdown to give his team an early 6-0 lead. Though the extra point was missed, Benson had drawn first blood.
The Rams looked ready to respond. Running back Jaleel Dunham found space on a 36-yard run and powered the offense with a series of short gains. However, the Rams couldn’t convert in the red zone, and penalties began to mount—wiping out big plays, including a kickoff return touchdown and a pass play downfield. One holding call erased a 78-yard Bruins touchdown, and another penalty nullified a 55-yard C2C kick return that could have shifted the momentum of the game.
Still, C2C’s defense gave the team life. Zaedon Perry delivered a 7-yard tackle for loss to stop a Bruins drive. Jordan Johnson and Dunham made key stops on the perimeter to hold Benson to minimal gains, but repeated miscues and timing issues kept the Rams off the scoreboard.
Late in the second quarter, Failautusi once again took off—this time for a 32-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good, and the Bruins took a 13-0 lead into halftime.
The second half was all Bruins.
After a defensive stop to open the third quarter, Benson extended their lead when Liam Brown connected with Aaron McKnight Jr. on a short pass that turned into a 9-yard touchdown. The extra point was good, and the Bruins led 20-0. Benson’s offense kept clicking with runs from Bless Austin-Curry, Jaxson Shandil, and Jeremiah Sii, each contributing to long, clock-eating drives.
C2C showed determination through it all. Quarterback Rollen Kent completed a pair of passes to Carson Demps, including a 20-yard connection in the fourth quarter. Demps also added two receptions and 18 rushing yards, while Dunham continued to be the workhorse, finishing with 14 carries for 58 hard-earned yards.
However, the Bruins had one more big play left. In the fourth quarter, Brown hit Failautusi on a deep 46-yard strike for a touchdown—Failautusi’s third of the game. Moments later, following a fumble recovery by Austin-Curry, Failautusi added his fourth and final score on a 3-yard run to cap the game.
Failautusi finished with 136 rushing yards, 46 receiving yards, and 4 total touchdowns, in a dominant two-way performance that drove the Bruins from start to finish.
After the game, Bruins head coach Andrew Foushee was pleased with the win, but far from satisfied.
“Obviously in the first half, the offensive line didn’t show up or wasn’t doing what they were supposed to do,” said Foushee. “We turned it around in the second half and got them to block downfield, but in the end we can play a lot better than we did.”
C2C head coach Kobae Fulton emphasized long-term development and togetherness, despite the score.
“We keep these guys together in 7-on-7 activities to keep them bonding consistently and strengthen the camaraderie,” said Fulton. “Because at the end of the day, it’s about the players and parents. This is a family team, and as this rebuild continues, we’re gonna bounce back and grow stronger.”
Player Stats
C2C Rams (Offense):
Carson Demps: 2 carries, 18 yards; 2/2 passing, 3 yards; 2 receptions, 33 yards
Jaleel Dunham: 14 carries, 58 yards
Rollen Kent: 2/2 passing, 33 yards
Player Stats – C2C Rams (Defense):
Zaedon Perry: 1 tackle for loss
Benson Bruins (Offense):
Johzias Failautusi: 11 carries, 136 yards, 3 rushing TDs; 1/3 passing, 8 yards; 1 reception, 46 yards, 1 receiving TD
Liam Brown: 1 carry, 11 yards; 2/2 passing, 55 yards, 2 TDs
Aaron McKnight Jr.: 1 reception, 9 yards, 1 TD
Bless Austin-Curry: 4 carries, 25 yards
Jaxson Shandil: 3 carries, 25 yards
Jeremiah Sii: 1 carry, 21 yards
Benson Bruins (Defense):
Kymani Pelenato: 2 tackles
Bless Austin-Curry: 1 fumble recovery
