Reported by Juwuan Buchanan
In a dramatic opening round of the WIAA 3A state football playoffs on Friday night at Monroe High School, the Rainier Beach Vikings (5–2) delivered a signature performance to upset the Stanwood Spartans (7–2) by a score of 47–21. What began as a tightly contested matchup between two confident squads evolved into a dominant showing by the Vikings, driven by explosive plays, opportunistic defense and a decisive burst in the fourth quarter.
From the moment the Vikings took the field, they made the tone unmistakable. On the very first play from scrimmage, senior running back Ze Watkins broke through Stanwood’s defense and galloped 75 yards untouched into the end zone. The lightning‑strike score set the scoreboard at 6–0 and delivered a swift jolt of energy to the home side. It served notice that Rainier Beach was ready to set the pace, confident in its speed and execution.
Stanwood, refused to go away. The Spartans responded with resolve, marching behind the stout running of Silas Turpin and the smart passing of quarterback Alex Maldonado. That drive ended with Turpin finishing it off from the 1‑yard line, to take the lead at 7–6. The balance of power shifted momentarily to Stanwood, as the crowd sensed a back‑and‑forth battle between evenly matched foes.
Rainier Beach answered decisively. With the momentum gleaned from their first touchdown, the Vikings relied on quarterback Esquire Williams to lead the offense with poise. Williams connected deep—finding receiver Sirjewel Glover on a 42‑yard play that jolted the Spartans, and on the next snap Watkins plowed in for his second touchdown of the opening quarter. After a successful two‑point conversion by fullback Damari King, the Vikings held a 14–7 lead. It was a statement drive: speed, precision and willingness to strike early.
The second quarter signaled a shift in momentum. Stanwood returned to its ground game, with Turpin and Eben Bland Jr. moving the chains inside Rainier Beach territory. The Spartans capitalized with a short‑range touchdown to knot the score at 14–14 just before the half. But before the intermission, Williams unleashed a big play—he connected on a 35‑yard strike to receiver Tariq Shabazz who turned it into a score. Though the extra point failed, the Vikings carried a 20–14 lead into halftime.
Coming out of the break, the third quarter became a defensive slugfest. Both teams traded possessions, but neither managed to cross the goal line. Stanwood threatened, but Rainier Beach’s defense bent but did not break, forcing a key turnover on downs near the goal line. The Vikings, for their part, showed patience—working the clock and protecting the ball. The defenses were in command, but Rainier Beach remained patient, knowing the game would tilt on one or two big plays.
That tilt came in the fourth quarter, when Williams hit receiver Marques Ili‑Meneese on a 20‑yard pass for a touchdown, stretching the lead to 27–14. A short time later, Williams followed up with a 67-yard touchdown run as the Vikings built a 33-13 lead.
On the next Stanwood possession, Maldonado attempted a pass that was intercepted by Rainier Beach’s Daniel Haynes that he returned 43 yards for a touchdown. The two‑point conversion made it 40–14, and suddenly the Vikings were in full command.
Stanwood responded in urgency, driving downfield behind Turpin’s relentless running and a clutch pass connection to receiver Avrey Patterson‑Roe. Turpin hauled in a 23‑yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 40–21, but the Spartans’ momentum was short‑lived. On the ensuing kickoff, Rainier Beach’s Tek Mwamba fielded the ball and turned on the jets for a sensational 95‑yard return for a touchdown to give the Vikings a 47-21 lead. That score, and the defensive stand that followed, sealed the Rams’ advancement and ended Stanwood’s season.
Offensively, the Vikings showcased balance and depth. Williams completed 14 of 18 passes for 237 yards and a touchdown, and added 116 rushing yards. Watkins powered the ground game with 9 carries for 105 yards and two scores. The receiving corps stepped up: Glover’s 51 yards on two catches, Shabazz’s 56 yards and a touchdown, Ili‑Meneese’s 39 yards and a score, Jackson’s 27 yards, Benning’s 36 yards and Mwamba’s 28 yards. Meanwhile, the defense delivered when it mattered most.
Stanwood’s Spartan offense did show flashes: Maldonado went 12 of 24 for 232 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 36 yards; Turpin carried 22 times for 72 yards and two scores; Patterson‑Roe posted 102 yards; Bland added 44 rushing yards and 28 receiving yards; McKnight snagged a 36‑yard catch. But the Spartans could not stop the big plays and could not counter the momentum swing that occurred late.
Rainier Beach, beyond the yardage totals, exemplified what playoff football demands: explosive plays, senior leadership, and untiring defense. From the opening 75‑yard sprint to the closing 67‑yard break‑away, the Vikings delivered a full‑force performance. They advance to the next round with confidence, knowing that when the game was on the line, they delivered.
Player Stats
Rainier Beach Vikings (Offense):
• Ze Watkins – 9 rushes, 105 yards, 2 TDs
• Esquire Williams – 9 rushes, 116 yards, 1 TD; 14/18 passing, 237 yards, 2 TDs
• Sirjewel Glover – 2 receptions, 51 yards
• Tariq Shabazz – 3 receptions, 56 yards, 1 TD
• Daniel Haynes – 1 reception, 43 yards, 1 TD
• Marques Ili-Meneese – 3 receptions, 39 yards, 1 TD
• CJ Benning – 1 reception, 36 yards
• Kayvon Jackson – 2 receptions, 27 yards
• Tek Mwamba – 3 receptions, 28 yards; 95-yard kickoff return TD
Rainier Beach Vikings (Defense):
• Daniel Haynes –1 INT (43-yard TD return)
Stanwood Spartans (Offense):
• Alex Maldonado – 12/24 passing, 232 yards, 1 TD; 9 rushes, 36 yards
• Silas Turpin – 22 rushes, 72 yards, 2 TDs; 1 reception, 23 yards
• Eben Bland Jr. – 11 rushes, 44 yards; 4 receptions, 28 yards
• Avrey Patterson-Roe – 5 receptions, 102 yards
• Kolby McKnight – 1 reception, 36 yards
• Shawn Porter – 1 rush, 6 yards
Stanwood Spartans (Defense):
• Alex Maldonado – 1 INT
Photos/John Saunders
