Reported by Karrington Kincaid, The Seattle Medium
In a 6U division clash, the CD Panthers showed why they’re among the most disciplined and explosive teams in the Washington Youth Football League, running past Rise for a 34–13 victory on Saturday.
The win was a product of execution, toughness, and relentless ground-and-pound offense that wore down Rise over four quarters. From the opening snap, the Panthers took control with a bruising run game led by Amir Spinks and Dimitri Wilturner, while a swarming defense limited Rise to just one score in each of the final two quarters.
Both teams entered the matchup looking to build momentum down the stretch of the season, but it was CD that struck first—and often.
After a promising early run by Lucian Brandon was called back for holding, the Panthers regrouped and turned to Wilturner, who broke off a 55-yard touchdown run down the right sideline to open the scoring. The extra point was good, giving CD a 7–0 lead midway through the first quarter.
Rise struggled to respond offensively, as the Panthers’ defense, anchored by Spinks, Taylor Miller, and Romero Williams, routinely met ball carriers in the backfield. On back-to-back possessions, Rise went backward, thanks to negative-yardage plays and a costly fumble, setting the tone for what would be a long afternoon.
Early in the second quarter, CD extended their lead behind Spinks, who knifed through the middle of the Rise defense for a 32-yard touchdown. The Panthers converted the extra point again, stretching the lead to 14–0.
Despite showing flashes of fight, Rise couldn’t generate consistent yardage in the first half. Amaree Steward, their primary offensive weapon, was bottled up by CD’s front, often hit before reaching the line of scrimmage. A brief spark came on a pass to Zion Tagovailoa-Taufalele, but the gain went for zero yards.
As halftime approached, CD looked to put the game further out of reach. Brandon added a key 15-yard run, and Spinks kept the chains moving with physical runs between the tackles. Though penalties negated another long TD, the tone had been set. CD led 14–0 at the break and showed no signs of letting up.
The third quarter opened with a bang. J’Von Kelly took a handoff off left tackle, slipped a defender, and raced 60 yards for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 21–0 after the extra point. On the next Rise drive, Hayden and Grayson Franklin-Barker tried to respond with short gains, and finally, Rise found some footing. Steward broke loose on a 67-yard touchdown run to put his team on the board. The extra point was good, cutting the deficit to 21–7.
But CD answered immediately, as Wilturner responded with 60-yard touchdown run, as he showcased his breakaway speed. Though the extra point failed, the Panthers still held a commanding 27–7 lead.
Rise tried to rally in the fourth quarter behind Steward, who added another electrifying 60-yard touchdown, but the margin was too much to overcome. CD continued to dominate the trenches, opening another hole for Brandon, who sprinted 47 yards to the end zone. The Panthers hit the extra point to cap the scoring at 34–13.
Throughout the game, CD’s offensive line and backfield execution were the difference. Even as penalties cost them multiple long touchdown runs, the Panthers responded with poise and kept piling up yardage on the ground.
After the win, CD Panthers 6U head coach Sharief Rodriguez praised his players’ discipline and preparation.
“A lot of repetition goes into victories like these,” Rodriguez said. “We keep doing plays over and over, even if it gets boring—because at the end of the day, we’re trying to win these games. And so far, it’s paying off.”
The Panthers improved their season record with the win and remain one of the most exciting 6U teams in the league thanks to their powerful run game and stifling defense. For Rise, the flashes of brilliance from Steward and their second-half touchdowns are signs of potential.
As the postseason approaches, both teams will look to sharpen their identities. But for now, CD walks away with a dominant win, powered by execution, speed, and a defense that came to play from the first whistle.
Player Statistics
CD Panthers (Offense):
• Amir Spinks: 7 rushes, 178 yards, 1 TD
• Dimitri Wilturner: 4 rushes, 135 yards, 2 TDs
• J’Von Kelly: 2 rushes, 69 yards, 1 TD
• Lucian Brandon: 2 rushes, 62 yards, 1 TD
CD Panthers (Defense):
• Amir Spinks: 5 tackles
• Taylor Miller: 2 tackles
Rise (Offense):
• Amaree Steward: 10 rushes, 116 yards, 2 TDs
