In a hard-fought playoff matchup, HEIR secured a spot in the championship game with a 14-6 victory over 5 Star. The game was defined by physicality and long drives, as both teams relied on strategic runs and resilient defense to control the tempo.
HEIR quarterback Jaylen Mitchell opened the scoring with a 32-yard touchdown run, breaking through tackles to give HEIR an early 6-0 lead. Capitalizing on the momentum, HEIR struck again midway through the second quarter when Ky’Mani Morton dashed 18 yards into the end zone, extending their lead to 14-0.
Trailing by two touchdowns late in the third quarter, 5 Star turned to creativity, executing a well-designed trick play that resulted in a 35-yard touchdown run. The score tightened to 14-6, keeping 5 Star within striking distance.
In the fourth quarter, both teams battled for every yard, with HEIR’s defense holding strong against 5 Star’s attempts to even the score. HEIR ultimately secured the victory, advancing to the championship game with a gritty 14-6 win.
In a high-stakes Northwest Premier Junior Football League 6U playoff matchup, the Renton Rangers defeated the Benson Bruins 20-0, securing their place in next week’s championship game and remaining undefeated on the season. Behind explosive rushing from Dondre Dowlen and a formidable defensive effort led by Otulau Kamoto, Renton delivered a strong performance on both sides of the ball, holding Benson scoreless in an impressive team display.
Renton set the tone early. Dowlen broke free for a 21-yard run on their opening drive before powering his way through the defense for a 49-yard touchdown, putting the Rangers up 6-0. Benson’s defense held firm at times and kept the game competitive through the first quarter, but the Rangers’ defense was quick to assert itself. With Kamoto and Aubre “A Train” Jones delivering key tackles, Renton kept Benson’s big running back from breaking into open space or nearing the end zone.
As the first half continued, Renton leaned on Dowlen and Devaughn Burrell-Lofton to control the ball and grind out yardage. After Burrell-Lofton set up strong field position with a 25-yard run, Dowlen followed up with a 47-yard touchdown, extending the Rangers’ lead to 12-0 late in the second quarter. Burrell-Lofton proved essential to the offense, contributing multiple tough runs to keep Benson’s defense on its heels. Coach Darryl Gant was impressed with his offense, especially his star playmakers.
“On offense, it was the Dondre Dowlen show again with his right-hand guys next to him, Devaughn Burrell-Lofton, Lonzell King, and now a fourth horseman, Otulau Kamoto,” Gant said.
The Rangers’ defense continued to frustrate the Bruins in the second half, ensuring that Benson’s offensive efforts ended in disappointment. Jones and Kamoto were relentless, coming up with timely tackles in the backfield and helping to force turnovers on downs. Defensive standouts Malachi Finau, DaVinci Jenkins, and Li’nell Secrest also contributed with critical stops, making sure Benson’s drives stalled before they could threaten.
