Reported by Karringotn Kincaid, The Seattle Medium
The CD Panthers opened their postseason campaign with a commanding 46–0 victory over the C2C Rams in Saturday’s first-round 8U Division playoff matchup of the Washington Youth Football League. The win was so impressive that the game ended early due to a forfeit, but the Panthers made full use of the time they had—demonstrating explosive offense, opportunistic defense, and the kind of team chemistry that could carry them deep into the playoffs.
From the very first play, CD showed they were ready. On the opening kickoff, Kai’Mari Hicks recovered an onside kick, setting up the Panthers with excellent field position. On the very next play, Daniel Caldera took a handoff and bolted 33 yards down the sideline for the game’s first touchdown. A successful extra point made it 7–0 just moments into the game.
The Rams struggled to find any rhythm against a fast and physical CD defense. A fumble on C2C’s opening drive was recovered by Da’Reek Whitner, and the Panthers wasted no time turning the turnover into points. Jarmaquil Keeley Jr. helped move the ball with a pair of tough runs before Caldera struck again, this time from 9 yards out for his second touchdown of the quarter.
CD’s defense kept up the pressure. Syn’Cere Williams, Camden Johnson, and Kevin-Lamar Jones all recorded tackles behind the line of scrimmage, forcing the Rams to punt after a loss of yardage. CD quickly capitalized again. Keeley Jr. and Caldera moved the chains, and then Johnson broke free for a 32-yard touchdown run. After another successful extra point, CD ended the first quarter with a 20–0 lead.
Despite the score, the Rams continued to battle, putting together their best drive early in the second quarter. A few short gains from Zion Lowe and Tate Jones helped move the ball, but Amarian Philips and Whitner made stops to stall the drive. CD’s offense responded with another touchdown drive—highlighted by a 27-yard run from Johnson and a 12-yard touchdown pass from Avery Clewis to Kenny Collier. The pass was perfectly placed, and Collier made the catch in stride, adding to CD’s growing lead.
The Panthers weren’t done. Following a fumble recovery by Kevin-Lamar Jones, Whitner took a handoff and raced 50 yards untouched for CD’s fifth touchdown of the game, putting the score at 33–0.
By the third quarter, the Panthers were firing on all cylinders. Jones connected on a pair of passes—first a 7-yarder to Collier, then a 27-yard strike to Clewis. Although the next throw fell incomplete, Keeley Jr. finished the drive with an 18-yard touchdown run, continuing his productive day on the ground. After another Rams turnover, Jones hit Collier again for 12 yards before finding Caldera for a 23-yard touchdown, Caldera’s third score of the day.
With the score at 46–0 and CD in full control, the game ended early due to the lopsided score. But not before CD put together a performance that showed just how dangerous this team can be.
After the game, CD head coach Eddie Scott acknowledged his team’s dominance but kept the focus on improvement.
“I think overall we’re finally starting to gel together,” Scott said. “There are some things we need to clean up, but I think as soon as we get to that point, we’ll be alright.”
For C2C, it was a tough day, but not without effort. Zion Lowe and Tate Jones carried the load offensively, combining for 14 rush attempts against a tough defensive front. The Rams showed flashes of promise and grit, especially in the second quarter, but struggled to sustain drives against CD’s aggressive defense.
The Panthers, now 1–0 in the playoffs, advance to the WYFL semifinal round, riding the momentum of a complete team performance. With multiple players contributing on both sides of the ball and their offense clicking in the air and on the ground, CD looks poised for another deep run.
Player Statistics
CD Panthers (Offense):
Kenny Collier – 3 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD
Camden Johnson – 2 rushes, 59 yards, 1 TD
Jarmaquil Keeley Jr. – 5 rushes, 55 yards, 1 TD
Avery Clewis – 1/1 passing, 12 yards, 1 TD; 1 reception, 27 yards
Kevin-Lamar Jones – 4/4 passing, 69 yards, 1 TD
Daniel Caldera – 3 rushes, 48 yards, 2 TDs; 1 reception, 23 yards, 1 TD
Da’Reek Whitner – 1 rush, 50 yards, 1 TD
CD Panthers (Defense):
Kevin-Lamar Jones – 1 fumble recovery
Da’Reek Whitner – 1 fumble recovery
C2C Rams (Offense):
Zion Lowe – 8 rushes
Tate Jones – 6 rushes
