In a game filled with explosive touchdowns, dramatic turnovers and a finish that came down to the final minute, No. 5-seeded Rise pulled off a thrilling 21-19 victory over the No. 4-seeded B12 Bearcats in the Washington Youth Football League (WYFL) 10U playoffs.
The teams traded big plays throughout the afternoon, including a 76-yard touchdown pass from B12’s Walter Huerta to Theo Christensen, a 70-yard touchdown connection between Huerta and Yenom Singleton, and a 52-yard touchdown run by Singleton. But after the Bearcats rallied to tie the game and recovered a fumble with 1:24 remaining, it was Rise’s defense that delivered the decisive play, forcing a safety with approximately one minute left.
Neither team scored in the opening quarter, although both had opportunities to establish momentum.
B12’s Micah Davis provided an early spark with a 21-yard run before Rise’s defense responded. Levi Garcia stopped Singleton for a 7-yard loss and later recovered a fumble by Huerta, giving Rise possession.
Rise began moving the ball behind Desmond Walrond, who recorded runs of six, eight and five yards. However, penalties stalled the drive, forcing Rise to punt.
B12’s next possession also struggled to gain traction. Davis was stopped for a 4-yard loss by Elias Green-Nunez, and Singleton threw an incomplete pass as the opening quarter ended in a scoreless tie.
The second quarter began with Davis completing an 8-yard pass to Huerta. An offsides penalty against Rise gave B12 another opportunity, but Singleton’s fourth-down completion to Davis gained just one yard, turning the ball over to Rise.
Rise responded with a sustained drive behind Walrond, Steven Lovelace and Ahmir Carter.
Walrond opened the possession with a 6-yard run, and Lovelace added a yard before an offsides penalty against B12 gave Rise a first down. Walrond followed with consecutive 7-yard gains, moving the ball to the B12 18-yard line.
Lovelace added two yards before Carter picked up six yards and then another two, bringing Rise closer to the goal line.
Facing fourth down near the end zone, Rise turned to Walrond, who powered his way across the goal line on an 8-yard touchdown run, giving Rise a 6-0 lead.
B12 wasted little time answering.
After Singleton returned the ensuing kickoff eight yards, he opened the possession with a 3-yard run. On the next play, Singleton broke free for a 52-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 6-6.
Rise looked to regain the lead before halftime as Amari Careaga-yann picked up two yards and followed with a 16-yard run. However, neither team added another score, sending the teams into halftime tied at 6-6.
The third quarter brought an offensive explosion as both teams began producing big plays.
Rise opened the second half with Carter breaking loose for a 20-yard gain. Walrond followed with a 9-yard run, bringing Rise to the B12 13-yard line.
On the next play, Carter found an opening and raced 13 yards for a touchdown, giving Rise a 12-6 advantage.
But once again, B12 answered with an explosive play.
Starting at its own 24-yard line, Huerta connected with Christensen on a 76-yard touchdown pass. Christensen raced downfield for the score, tying the game at 12-12.
Rise responded with another impressive scoring drive.
Carter opened the possession with a 7-yard run before adding 12 more yards, despite a tackle by B12’s Ihsan Collins. Walrond followed with a 6-yard gain, setting up Careaga-yann.
On the next play, Careaga-yann broke through the B12 defense for a 22-yard touchdown run. Rise converted the extra-point attempt to take a 19-12 lead.
B12 attempted to respond, but penalties and defensive pressure made it difficult to sustain a drive. Singleton gained two yards before Huerta completed passes to Singleton that resulted in losses of five and three yards. Green-Nunez also stopped Davis for a 7-yard loss as the Bearcats struggled to move the ball.
Rise regained possession deep in B12 territory, with Carter picking up 11 yards to move the ball inside the 10-yard line as the third quarter came to a close.
The fourth quarter began with Rise threatening to extend its lead.
Walrond was stopped for no gain by Huerta before Carter picked up six yards, moving the ball to the 2-yard line. Walrond added another two yards, bringing Rise to the brink of the end zone.
However, B12’s defense came up with one of the biggest plays of the game.
On fourth down near the goal line, Careaga-yann fumbled, and B12’s Robert (RJ) Torres recovered the ball at the 1-yard line, preventing Rise from adding to its lead.
With its playoff hopes hanging in the balance, B12 took over deep in its own territory.
Singleton immediately gave the Bearcats some breathing room, breaking loose for a 29-yard run to move the ball to the 30-yard line.
On the next play, Huerta connected with Singleton on a 70-yard touchdown pass. Singleton raced downfield for the score, bringing B12 within one point.
The successful extra-point attempt tied the game at 19-19, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Rise regained possession and began moving the ball behind Carter.
Carter opened the drive with a 4-yard run before being stopped for a 1-yard loss by Davis. Facing third-and-seven, Carter responded with a 12-yard gain, keeping the drive alive.
He added another yard on the following play before the Bearcats delivered another huge defensive play.
With 1:24 remaining, Singleton took the ball away from Carter, recovering the fumble and giving B12 possession with an opportunity to complete a remarkable comeback.
But the Bearcats’ hopes quickly unraveled.
A false-start penalty pushed B12 backward before Singleton was stopped for a 7-yard loss. Another false-start penalty moved the Bearcats back to their own 5-yard line, putting the offense in a difficult position with the game on the line.
With approximately one minute remaining, Rise’s defensive front delivered the biggest play of the game.
As B12’s quarterback dropped back to pass in the end zone, Rise’s defenders applied tremendous pressure. The quarterback attempted to release the ball but was hit, causing a fumble that went out of bounds through the end zone for a two-point safety.
The play broke the 19-19 tie and gave Rise a 21-19 lead, turning what appeared to be a potential game-winning opportunity for B12 into the decisive score for Rise.
Rise then secured possession following the safety. Careaga-yann was held to no gain on three consecutive carries, and an offsides penalty against B12 moved the ball forward before Rise took a knee to end the contest.
Singleton delivered an outstanding all-around performance for B12, finishing with 72 rushing yards on six carries, including a 52-yard touchdown run. He also caught three passes for 62 yards, including the 70-yard touchdown reception, and recovered a fourth-quarter fumble.
Huerta completed all four of his pass attempts for 138 yards, including touchdown passes of 76 yards to Christensen and 70 yards to Singleton. Davis added 10 rushing yards and an 8-yard completion, while Christensen finished with 76 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Collins led B12 with five tackles, followed by Huerta with four and D’OnTae Bain-Porter with two. Davis and Sa’moara Ellis each contributed a tackle, while Torres recorded the crucial fourth-quarter fumble recovery near the goal line.
For Rise, Carter led the rushing attack with 93 yards and a touchdown. Walrond added 68 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Careaga-yann contributed 40 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Rise’s defense received contributions from Green-Nunez, who recorded two tackles, along with Carter, Garcia and Marshawn Williams, who each recorded a tackle. Garcia also recovered a first-quarter fumble.
Game Stats
B12 Bearcats 10U
Passing: Walter Huerta, 4-of-4, 138 yards, 2 TDs; Micah Davis, 1-of-1, 8 yards; Yenom Singleton, 1-of-2, 1 yard.
Rushing: Yenom Singleton, 6 carries, 72 yards, 1 TD; Micah Davis, 3 carries, 10 yards.
Receiving: Theo Christensen, 1 reception, 76 yards, 1 TD; Yenom Singleton, 3 receptions, 62 yards, 1 TD; Walter Huerta, 1 reception, 8 yards; Micah Davis, 1 reception, 1 yard.
Defense: Ihsan Collins, 5 tackles; Walter Huerta, 4 tackles; D’OnTae Bain-Porter, 2 tackles; Micah Davis, 1 tackle; Sa’moara Ellis, 1 tackle; Yenom Singleton, 1 fumble recovery; Robert (RJ) Torres, 1 fumble recovery.
Rise 10U
Rushing: Ahmir Carter, 12 carries with recorded yardage, 93 yards, 1 TD; Desmond Walrond, 12 carries, 68 yards, 1 TD; Amari Careaga-yann, 7 carries with recorded yardage, 40 yards, 1 TD; Steven Lovelace, 2 carries, 3 yards.
Defense: Elias Green-Nunez, 2 tackles; Ahmir Carter, 1 tackle; Levi Garcia, 1 tackle, 1 fumble recovery; Marshawn Williams, 1 tackle.
Additional scoring: Rise, 1 safety, 2 points.
