Federal Way 8U used an explosive rushing performance from David Baker, who scored five touchdowns and rushed for 272 yards, to defeat the Benson Bruins 7U team 32-14 in the Washington Youth Football League (WYFL) playoffs.
Baker scored on runs of 59, 7, 61, 70 and 41 yards as Federal Way built a 19-0 halftime lead and held off a determined Benson team led by Pulealofa Taito, who finished with 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Benson opened the game on offense and immediately looked to establish its running attack behind Taito. After an 11-yard gain on the Bruins’ first play, a penalty against Federal Way gave Benson an additional five yards. Taito followed with a 15-yard run, moving the Bruins into Federal Way territory.
However, penalties and defensive pressure eventually stalled the drive. A delay-of-game penalty pushed Benson backward, and Federal Way’s Romario Guillen stopped Taito for a 4-yard loss. Although Taito added gains of six and two yards, the Bruins were unable to convert on fourth down.
Federal Way wasted little time taking advantage of the opportunity.
On its first offensive play, Baker broke through the Benson defense for a 59-yard touchdown run, giving Federal Way an early 6-0 lead.
The Bruins’ next possession ended with a fumble recovered by Federal Way, giving the offense another opportunity to extend its lead.
However, Federal Way struggled to capitalize immediately. A false start and another fumble, which Federal Way recovered, disrupted the possession. Tristian McKernan helped move the ball forward with a 12-yard run, and Nathaniel Hehn added three yards before the drive reached a critical fourth-and-six situation at the Benson 22-yard line.
As the second quarter began, Benson appeared to have an opportunity to stop the drive, but a costly facemask penalty gave Federal Way a new set of downs.
Baker capitalized on the opportunity with a 7-yard touchdown run. The extra-point attempt was successful, extending Federal Way’s lead to 13-0.
Benson attempted to respond, but its offense struggled to establish momentum. Lucian Brandon IV was stopped for a 4-yard loss by Jackson McNeal, and the Bruins recovered two fumbles on the ensuing plays before being forced to punt.
Federal Way’s next possession ended with a turnover when McNeal gained seven yards before fumbling the ball. Benson’s Khalil Smith Williams recovered the fumble, giving the Bruins another opportunity.
Taito opened the possession with a 6-yard run, but another fumble, recovered by Benson, interrupted the drive. Federal Way’s Tanner McKernan then stopped Taito for a 1-yard loss on third down, and Benson was forced to punt again.
Taking over at its own 21-yard line, Federal Way put together another scoring drive.
Hehn opened with a 9-yard run, and Tanner McKernan followed with a 6-yard gain. Baker added three yards before a fumble briefly threatened the possession, but Federal Way recovered.
Facing third-and-seven at its own 39-yard line, Baker broke free for a 61-yard touchdown run, his third score of the game. Federal Way extended its lead to 19-0.
Benson closed the half with Taito carrying the ball for a 3-yard loss, and Federal Way entered halftime holding a 19-0 advantage.
Federal Way opened the second half looking to extend its lead, but Benson’s defense came up with an important stop.
Baker started the possession with a 6-yard run, but Hehn was stopped for a 3-yard loss. Tristian McKernan added two yards on third down, forcing Federal Way to punt.
The Bruins took advantage of the defensive stop and began moving the ball behind Taito.
Starting at their own 35-yard line, Taito broke loose for a 24-yard gain before an offsides penalty against Federal Way moved Benson closer to the end zone.
On the next play, Taito raced 36 yards for a touchdown. The extra-point attempt was successful, cutting Federal Way’s lead to 19-7 and giving the Bruins their first points of the game.
However, Federal Way answered almost immediately.
After Tristian McKernan was stopped for no gain by Smith Williams on the opening play of the possession, Baker broke through the defense for a 70-yard touchdown run, his fourth score of the afternoon.
The touchdown extended Federal Way’s lead to 25-7.
Benson continued battling as Taito gained seven yards on the Bruins’ next possession. However, Federal Way’s defense responded when Tristian McKernan stopped Taito for a 5-yard loss. Brandon added three yards, but the Bruins were unable to sustain the drive.
Federal Way regained possession and began moving downfield behind Baker. He picked up six yards before Guillen was stopped for a 2-yard loss. Baker then added four yards as the third quarter came to a close.
The fourth quarter opened with Federal Way facing fourth-and-one near midfield. An offsides penalty against Benson gave Federal Way a new set of downs, extending the possession.
Baker continued carrying the offense, gaining nine yards before Guillen recovered his own fumble on the following play. Baker then picked up two yards for another first down.
Despite a delay-of-game penalty, Federal Way continued moving forward. Baker added four yards before breaking loose for a 41-yard touchdown run, his fifth of the game.
The extra-point attempt was successful, extending Federal Way’s lead to 32-7.
Although facing a substantial deficit, Benson continued fighting.
Taito opened the Bruins’ next possession with consecutive 5-yard runs before adding a 9-yard gain. He then broke loose for a 33-yard run, moving Benson deep into Federal Way territory.
An offsides penalty against Federal Way advanced the ball to the 13-yard line, and Taito finished the drive with a 13-yard touchdown run. The successful extra-point attempt brought the score to 32-14.
Federal Way regained possession and turned to Guillen, who was held to no gain on consecutive carries as the game came to a close.
Baker finished with 272 rushing yards on 12 carries and five touchdowns, accounting for all five Federal Way touchdowns. Tristian McKernan added 14 rushing yards, while Hehn contributed nine yards, McNeal gained seven yards and Tanner McKernan finished with six.
For Benson, Taito led the offense with 159 rushing yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns. Defensively, Taito recorded two tackles, while Smith Williams, Umar Aweis-Osman, Jamias Kuresa and Damarion-Ray Brackins each contributed a tackle. Smith Williams also recovered a Federal Way fumble in the second quarter.
Despite Benson’s second-half effort, Federal Way’s explosive rushing attack and ability to capitalize on key opportunities proved to be the difference in the 32-14 victory, sending Federal Way into the next round of the WYFL playoffs.
Game Stats
Federal Way 8U
Rushing: David Baker, 12 carries, 272 yards, 5 TDs; Tristian McKernan, 3 carries, 14 yards; Nathaniel Hehn, 3 carries, 9 yards; Jackson McNeal, 1 carry, 7 yards; Tanner McKernan, 1 carry, 6 yards; Romario Guillen, 4 carries, minus-3 yards.
Defense: Tanner McKernan, 2 tackles; Romario Guillen, 1 tackle; Tristian McKernan, 1 tackle; Jackson McNeal, 1 tackle.
Benson Bruins 7U
Rushing: Pulealofa Taito, 17 carries, 159 yards, 2 TDs; Umar Aweis-Osman, 1 carry, 1 yard; Lucian Brandon IV, 2 carries, minus-1 yard.
Defense: Pulealofa Taito, 2 tackles; Khalil Smith Williams, 1 tackle, 1 fumble recovery; Umar Aweis-Osman, 1 tackle; Jamias Kuresa, 1 tackle; Damarion-Ray Brackins, 1 tackle.
