By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
The Rainier Beach Vikings used big plays on offense, defense and special teams to take control early and never let up Thursday night, defeating the Ballard Beavers 48-0 in a Metro League matchup at Rainier Beach.
The Vikings scored 28 points in the first quarter and carried a 36-0 lead into halftime, as quarterback Esquire Williams helped lead a balanced offensive attack while Rainier Beach’s defense consistently pressured Ballard and created opportunities for the offense.
Ballard’s opening drive ended quickly when Isaiah Parker’s pass was intercepted by Quis Tovia, setting up a short field for the Vikings. Rainier Beach capitalized on the turnover with a 5-yard touchdown run by Damari Ae Barrington to take an early lead. Pasted markdown
After forcing a Ballard punt, Rainier Beach struck again as Williams connected with Pootie Stewart for a 40-yard completion before Barrington scored on another 5-yard touchdown run.
Beach added a third touchdown after Ashton Khounphachansy recovered a Ballard fumble deep in Beavers territory. Williams then connected with Wes Armstrong for a 2-yard touchdown pass to extend the Vikings’ lead. Pasted markdown
Rainier Beach then delivered the biggest play of the quarter when Tovia returned a Ballard punt 75 yards for a touchdown, pushing the lead to 28-0 with 2:35 remaining in the opening quarter.
The Vikings dominated the opening quarter in all three phases, turning an interception and a fumble recovery into scoring opportunities, finding the end zone three times on offense and adding another touchdown on special teams.
Ballard moved the ball late in the quarter, including a 9-yard run by Parker and a fake punt that resulted in a first down after a Beach penalty. But Rainier Beach’s defense continued to apply pressure, as Armstrong and Branham Moto combined for three sacks of Parker during the opening quarter, helping the Vikings take a 28-0 lead into the second. Pasted markdown
Ballard opened the second quarter with a 13-yard run by Jack Rees but was eventually forced to punt, and the Vikings quickly went back to work.
Williams broke loose for a 21-yard run and later added a 10-yard gain. After a 65-yard Beach touchdown was erased by a holding penalty, Micah Ili-Meneese ripped off a 28-yard run before Williams connected with Sirjewel Glover for a 37-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was missed, giving Rainier Beach a 34-0 advantage. Pasted markdown
Ballard struggled to sustain its next possession, and a mishandled snap went over the quarterback’s head for a safety, adding another two points to Beach’s lead.
The Vikings continued looking for opportunities to extend their advantage late in the half. Russell Sanders broke loose for a 20-yard run, and Williams followed with a 50-yard burst before the half ended with Rainier Beach in control, 36-0. Pasted markdown
Beach opened the second half with another strong offensive drive, highlighted by a 19-yard run from Armstrong, a 45-yard run by Tovia and a 15-yard run from Williams. Barrington then broke free for a 19-yard gain before powering into the end zone from six yards out for his third touchdown of the game. The extra point was no good, leaving the Vikings with a 42-0 lead with 8:29 remaining in the third quarter. Pasted markdown
With the running clock underway, Ballard struggled to generate momentum. Rees and Isaac Bendickson combined for several short runs before Parker’s third-down pass fell incomplete and the Rainier Beach defense brought him down for a sack on fourth down.
Ballard’s defense responded with a strong stand of its own, limiting Beach to no gain and a loss on consecutive plays late in the quarter, but the Vikings carried their 42-0 advantage into the fourth.
Rainier Beach’s defense continued to keep Ballard in check during the final quarter, forcing the Beavers to punt following a short drive that included an 8-yard run by Rees and a fumble that Ballard recovered.
The Vikings quickly capitalized as James Siva broke loose for a 13-yard gain to move Beach deep into Ballard territory. After a few short plays and a false-start penalty, Moto powered into the end zone from six yards out with 3:16 remaining. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, giving Rainier Beach a 48-0 lead. Pasted markdown
Ballard continued to fight late, with Rees breaking a 20-yard run, but the Vikings’ defense kept the Beavers out of the end zone as the clock expired on the shutout victory.
Williams helped pace a Rainier Beach offense that consistently produced big plays throughout the night, using both his arm and his legs to keep Ballard’s defense off balance. Barrington scored three rushing touchdowns, while Tovia made an impact in all three phases with an interception, a 45-yard run and a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown. Moto also contributed on both sides of the ball, recording two sacks before scoring the Vikings’ final touchdown.
The Vikings’ defense was just as impressive, forcing turnovers, consistently putting pressure on Ballard’s offense and keeping the Beavers out of the end zone from start to finish as Rainier Beach completed the 48-0 shutout.
Game Stats
Rainier Beach Vikings
Touchdowns: Damari Ae Barrington, 3 rushing TDs; Wes Armstrong, 1 receiving TD; Sirjewel Glover, 1 receiving TD; Quis Tovia, 1 punt-return TD; Branham Moto, 1 rushing TD.
Passing TDs: Esquire Williams, 2.
Defense: 4 sacks; 1 INT; 1 fumble recovery; 1 safety; shutout.
Defensive Leaders: Branham Moto, 2 sacks; Wesley Armstrong, 1 sack; Quis Tovia, 1 INT; Ashton Khounphachansy, 1 fumble recovery. Rainier Beach also recorded an additional sack in the third quarter for which the defender was not identified in the play-by-play. Pasted markdown
Special Teams: Quis Tovia, 75-yard punt-return TD; Abeneezer Tewodros, 4 extra points.
Ballard Beavers
Turnovers: 1 INT; 1 fumble lost.
Rushing Highlights: Jack Rees, runs of 13, 8 and 20 yards; Isaiah Parker, 9-yard run.
