Reported by Karrington Kincaid, The Seattle Medium
In a hard-fought Washington Youth Football League semifinal showdown, the top-seeded Rise 10U team delivered an impressive 14-0 shutout victory over the No. 4 seed Benson Bruins, securing their place in next week’s 10U Division championship game.
Both teams entered the matchup with well-earned reputations for playing physical, disciplined football. What unfolded was a gritty contest that highlighted the importance of detail, discipline, and execution—especially on the defensive side of the ball. Rise came prepared, and it showed from the opening whistle to the final snap.
The opening quarter reflected the tension and stakes of a playoff semifinal. Both defenses came out firing, trading stops and making it difficult for either offense to find a rhythm. Benson opened with a strong 16-yard run by Eli Fuiava, followed by a four-yard burst from Malachi Williams Jr. The Bruins were finding early momentum on the ground, but Rise’s defense responded quickly.
Defenders like Alex King and Giovanni Chavez made key tackles to stop the drive short, while Kingston Mefi helped contain the edge. Benson’s promising opening series stalled in the red zone and ended in a turnover on downs, a sign of things to come.
Rise’s offense took the field and looked to strike first. Fakaosi Jr Talakai found space and broke free for a potential 71-yard touchdown run, but a holding penalty negated the score. That missed opportunity sent the game back into a defensive stalemate, and neither team would find the end zone before halftime.
With the score still locked at 0 to 0 entering the third quarter, Rise turned to their most reliable weapon—Fakaosi Jr Talakai.
On a key third down, Talakai took a handoff, read his blockers, and exploded down the right sideline for a 59-yard touchdown. It was the momentum shift Rise had been waiting for. The extra point was converted to give Rise a 7-0 lead.
The Bruins looked to respond but were met with more resistance. On their next series, a miscue led to a fumble recovery by the Rise defense. Set up with great field position, Rise wasted no time taking advantage of the turnover. Quarterback Liam Bartlett rolled out to his right and connected with Talakai on a short four-yard touchdown pass, giving Rise a to 14-0 lead.
Talakai led the charge offensively, finishing the game with 87 rushing yards on seven carries, one rushing touchdown, and an additional score through the air. His two-way impact was matched by Bartlett’s efficiency, who completed his only pass attempt for a touchdown and contributed tough yards on the ground.
Benson, to their credit, did not fold. In the early minutes of the fourth quarter, Williams Jr. ripped off a 30-yard run to spark some life. Fuiava followed with gains of 16 and 17 yards, driving the Bruins deep into Rise territory. But the red zone proved to be a dead zone for Benson, as the Rise defense stood tall once again.
With time winding down and the Bruins facing a two-score deficit, Sipiliano Lui Jr. dropped back to pass in a last attempt to rally his team. His throw over the middle was read and intercepted by Rise’s Tahj Henley, sealing the game and preserving the shutout.
It was a fitting conclusion to a game defined by defense. Rise held the Bruins scoreless across all four quarters, neutralized their key runners when it mattered most, and came up with two takeaways in critical situations.
The win not only sends Rise to the 10U championship game but solidifies their identity as one of the most disciplined and well-coached defensive units in the league. As they prepare for the final game of the season, their confidence, communication, and team chemistry will be their biggest weapons.
“We knew what this game meant, and our kids were locked in,” said Coach CJ, Rise’s defensive coordinator. “Coming into next week, our goal is to continue doing what we’ve been doing. That means staying detail-oriented, being gap-sound at every position, and communicating at a high level. That is our identity.”
Player Stats
Rise (Offense):
Fakaosi Jr Talakai – 7 rushes, 87 yards, 1 TD; 1 reception, 4 yards, 1 TD
Liam Bartlett –1/1 passing, 4 yards, 1 TD
Naniholo Talakai – 4 rushes, 13 yards
Killione Jacobs – 1 rush, 3 yards
Micah Wu-Mallory – 1 rush, 5 yards
Rise (Defense):
Tahj Henley – 1 interception
Benson Bruins (Offense):
Malachi Williams Jr – 13 rushes, 82 yards
Eli Fuiava – 9 rushes, 45 yards
Tiamo Sausau III – 1 rush, 2 yards
Isley Pua – 1 rush, 2 yards
Benson Bruins (Defense):
Sipiliano Lui Jr – 1 interception
