By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
The Rainier Beach Vikings scored 24 first-quarter points and built a commanding 54-7 halftime lead on their way to a 60-13 victory over the Lincoln Lynx in a Metro League football matchup. Behind an explosive offense, opportunistic defense and big plays on special teams, the Vikings took control early and never relinquished their advantage.
Rainier Beach quarterback Esquire Williams completed 11 of 18 passes for 175 yards, while Micah Ili-Meneese made an impact on both sides of the ball, finishing with five receptions for 86 yards, 46 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Damari Ae Barrington added 62 rushing yards and three touchdowns, including a fumble recovery returned for a score, as the Vikings overwhelmed Lincoln in the opening half.
The Vikings came out firing against the Lynx, overcoming an early 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty to put together an explosive opening drive. Facing third-and-25, Williams connected with Ili-Meneese for a 41-yard completion to keep the drive alive. Williams continued moving the offense, finding Wes Armstrong and Barrington through the air before Pootie Stewart powered his way into the end zone on a 15-yard touchdown run. Beach converted the two-point attempt to take an 8-0 lead with 9:49 remaining in the first quarter.
The Vikings’ defense then forced Lincoln into a quick punt after quarterback Ben Ward was unable to connect with his receivers. Stewart gave Beach another spark with a spectacular 55-yard punt return, setting the Vikings up just five yards from the end zone. Barrington finished the short drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, then added the two-point conversion to extend Beach’s lead to 16-0.
Lincoln was forced to punt again on its next possession, and the Vikings capitalized. Stewart broke free for an 11-yard run before Williams connected with Ili-Meneese for 14 yards to move deep into Lincoln territory. Williams then found Quis Tovia for a 12-yard touchdown pass, and another successful two-point conversion pushed the Vikings’ lead to 24-0 with just over five minutes remaining in the opening quarter.
However, Lincoln refused to go quietly.
Ward began finding his rhythm, connecting with Theo Fammartino Johnson for a 16-yard gain before completing a 31-yard touchdown pass to Montrese Weaver Jr. The extra point was good, cutting the deficit to 24-7 with 2:09 remaining in the quarter.
Beach continued attacking on its final possession of the quarter, with Barrington picking up positive yardage on the ground and Williams completing another pass to Ili-Meneese. When the first quarter ended, Rainier Beach held a 24-7 advantage.
The Vikings picked up where they left off in the second quarter. Despite another unnecessary roughness penalty, Williams connected with Tovia for a 13-yard gain before Barrington broke free for a 12-yard run. Williams then found Armstrong for six yards, setting up Barrington’s 6-yard touchdown run.
Lincoln blocked the ensuing kick, keeping the score at 30-7 with 10:17 remaining in the half.
Rainier Beach’s defense quickly added to the Vikings’ lead. On Lincoln’s next possession, Ili-Meneese intercepted a pass from Ward and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown. Barrington converted the two-point attempt, extending Beach’s advantage to 38-7.
Lincoln responded with a 29-yard completion from Ward to Aren Whaley, but the Lynx were unable to sustain the drive and eventually punted.
The Vikings’ defense came through again later in the quarter when Choice Wilkins Delgardo intercepted another Ward pass, giving Beach an opportunity to add to its lead.
Barrington opened the ensuing possession with a 4-yard run before Williams connected with Armstrong for a 32-yard gain. Ili-Meneese then rushed six yards into the end zone, and another successful two-point conversion gave Rainier Beach a 46-7 lead with 3:56 remaining in the half.
The Vikings continued producing big plays before halftime. After Barrington had a touchdown called back because of a holding penalty, Williams connected with Ili-Meneese for a 28-yard gain and James Siva for another 16 yards.
Barrington then recovered a Lincoln fumble and returned it for a touchdown. Another successful two-point conversion extended Beach’s lead to 54-7 with 1:24 remaining in the half.
With a running clock in effect to begin the second half, the pace of the game slowed considerably. Rainier Beach, which had scored 54 points in the opening two quarters, was held scoreless in the third as Lincoln began finding opportunities to move the ball.
The Vikings kicked off to start the second half, and Lincoln was unable to sustain its opening possession despite short completions from Ward to Jake Marion and Zyren Massey.
Beach also had trouble finding its offensive rhythm, gaining only a few yards before punting the ball back to Lincoln.
The Lynx then showed signs of life behind Marion’s rushing attack. Marion put together several solid runs, helping Lincoln move the ball downfield. Ward added a 40-yard completion to Marion after being sacked earlier in the drive, giving the Lynx an opportunity to reach the end zone.
However, a bad snap led to a fumble that Rainier Beach recovered, ending Lincoln’s promising possession.
Neither team scored in the third quarter, leaving the Vikings firmly in control with a 54-7 lead entering the fourth.
Lincoln opened the final quarter with an opportunity after recovering a Rainier Beach fumble. Marion helped move the Lynx closer to the end zone with a 5-yard run, and Ward followed with a 7-yard gain before connecting with Whaley for a 2-yard touchdown pass.
The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, bringing the score to 54-13 with 7:40 remaining.
Rainier Beach responded immediately with another explosive play, as Russell Sanders broke free for a 73-yard touchdown run on his only recorded carry of the game. The Vikings’ two-point conversion attempt was unsuccessful, leaving Beach ahead 60-13.
Lincoln continued competing during the final minutes, but the Vikings maintained their commanding advantage as the clock expired, securing a 60-13 Metro League victory.
After the game, Lincoln head coach, Clay Packard said despite the outcome his team played hard throughout the game and never stopped competing.
“Especially our younger players who go very meaningful reps,” said Packard. “But, we need to start the game fast and not have it take a couple of series for us to wake up.”
Game Stats
Rainier Beach Vikings
Passing: Esquire Williams, 11 of 18, 175 yards.
Rushing: Damari Ae Barrington, 11 carries, 62 yards, 2 TDs; Micah Ili-Meneese, 3 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD; Pootie Stewart, 3 carries, 33 yards, 1 TD; Russell Sanders, 1 carry, 73 yards, 1 TD; Esquire Williams, 3 carries, 10 yards; Mykhai Stanton, 1 carry, 1 yard.
Receiving: Micah Ili-Meneese, 5 receptions, 86 yards; Wes Armstrong, 3 receptions, 39 yards; Quis Tovia, 2 receptions, 25 yards, 1 TD; James Siva, 1 reception, 16 yards; Damari Ae Barrington, 1 reception, 9 yards; Choice Wilkins Delgardo, 1 reception, 0 yards.
Defense: Micah Ili-Meneese, 1 interception returned 32 yards for a TD; Choice Wilkins Delgardo, 1 interception; Damari Ae Barrington, 1 fumble recovery returned for a TD.
Special Teams: Pootie Stewart, 55-yard punt return.
Lincoln Lynx
Passing: Ben Ward, 11 of 24, 131 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs.
Rushing: Jake Marion, 6 carries, 32 yards; Ben Ward, 3 carries, 17 yards; Montrese Weaver Jr., 4 carries, 13 yards.
Receiving: Jake Marion, 3 receptions, 46 yards; Aren Whaley, 2 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD; Montrese Weaver Jr., 1 reception, 31 yards, 1 TD; Theo Fammartino Johnson, 2 receptions, 18 yards; Zyren Massey, 1 reception, 5 yards.
Special Teams: Blocked Rainier Beach kick following a second-quarter touchdown.
