The Renton Rangers 6U team capped off a remarkable regular season with a commanding 44-0 victory over the Benson Bruins, securing the top seed in the NW Premier Junior Football League’s 6U division playoffs. The Rangers were dominant on both sides of the ball, continuing their undefeated streak and showcasing why they are one of the most feared teams in the league.
From the opening play, Renton made it clear they were ready to control the game. Dondre Dowlen took the first handoff and sprinted 60 yards for a touchdown, electrifying the crowd and giving Renton an early 6-0 lead. Although Benson’s Malakai Armstead managed to recover a fumble on the extra-point attempt, Renton’s quick strike set the tone for what would be a long day for the Bruins.
Benson’s offense struggled to get anything going early on. On their first offensive play, Dowlen came up with a big tackle behind the line of scrimmage, setting the tone for a tough day for the Bruins. Renton’s defense held Benson to just two yards on the opening drive, forcing a quick punt and putting the ball right back in the hands of their potent offense.
Renton wasted no time on their next possession, stringing together a few solid runs, including a 57-yard breakaway by Devaughn Burrell-Lofton that brought the ball down to Benson’s 9-yard line. Benson’s defense, led by Armstead, made a strong stand initially with a key stop for a 5-yard loss, but Renton continued to push forward. A short run on the next play by Dowlen brought the ball to the 4-yard line, setting up Burrell-Lofton for another Renton touchdown that extended the lead to 12-0.
Benson was unable to respond on their next possession, and Renton’s relentless defense made them pay. Early in the second quarter, Renton forced and recovered a fumble deep in Benson territory, setting up an easy scoring opportunity. Dowlen wasted no time, taking the handoff and racing 36 yards into the end zone for another touchdown. Although Renton missed the extra-point attempt, they extended their lead to 18-0 with plenty of time left in the half.
Benson’s troubles continued on the next series when they coughed up another fumble, which Renton’s Lonzell King quickly recovered. After a short 3-yard run by Burrell-Lofton, Dowlen found a hole and burst through for a 39-yard touchdown run. The extra point was no good, but Renton had firmly taken control of the game with a 24-0 lead. Benson was simply unable to slow down Renton’s offense, which seemed to be firing on all cylinders.
As halftime approached, Renton capitalized on another Benson mistake. A fumble recovery by Aubre Jones at the 39-yard line gave Renton another scoring opportunity, and they didn’t let it go to waste. Burrell-Lofton followed up with an 11-yard run, setting up Dowlen, who broke free for a 28-yard touchdown run just before the end of the half. Renton entered halftime up 30-0.
In the second half, Benson’s Malakai Armstead finally gave the Bruins a spark of hope. He broke loose for a 49-yard run, putting the ball at the Renton 11-yard line. Armstead followed with two more carries, gaining five and three yards, but Renton’s defense stiffened. Otulau Kamoto and Dowlen combined for back-to-back sacks, stopping the Bruins in their tracks and forcing a turnover on downs deep in Renton territory.
Renton’s offense quickly responded, with Burrell-Lofton ripping off a 33-yard run to the 41-yard line. A shoestring tackle by a Benson defender prevented the score, but it was only a temporary stop. On the next play, Kamoto found space and took it 51 yards for another touchdown. Burrell-Lofton powered through for the two-point conversion, and Renton extended their lead to 38-0 with just over six minutes left in the game.
Renton’s defense continued to dominate the remainder of the game, keeping Benson pinned down. Dowlen capped off a stellar day by recording a tackle for loss and two sacks on consecutive plays, forcing a turnover on downs. On the final play of the game, Dowlen broke through the Benson defense one last time, racing 60 yards for a touchdown, sealing the 44-0 win.
Renton’s Dondre Dowlen was the standout performer of the day, scoring four touchdowns and making key defensive plays throughout the game. Devaughn Burrell-Lofton added a touchdown of his own and was a major force on the ground, while Otulau Kamoto contributed with a long touchdown run and critical defensive stops. Benson’s Malakai Armstead was a bright spot for the Bruins, showing flashes of his talent with a 49-yard run and some solid defensive plays, including a fumble recovery.
With the victory, Renton finishes their season undefeated and heads into the playoffs as the team to beat. The Rangers are riding high on momentum and confident in their ability to continue their dominance through the postseason.
Renton Rangers 6U Bomb Squad Head Coach Darryl Gant praised his team’s effort and focus, especially on defense.
“We wanted to come out and make a statement early, and I think we did that,” Gant said. “The kids have been working hard all season, and today you saw the result of that. Our defense was flying around, and our offense capitalized when it mattered. Now, we’re focused on keeping this momentum going into the playoffs.”
With their perfect regular season now behind them, the Rangers will turn their attention to the playoffs, where they hope to finish the year with a championship.