Listen to an audio recap of the game with the player above. Note: This is an abbreviated highlight recap of the game is not the full text reading of the story below.
By Karrington Kincaid, The Seattle Medium
The Seattle Medium’s Game of the Week featured a thrilling 12U football matchup between the Benson Bruins and the C2C Rams, with both teams looking to add another victory to their seasons. The game turned into a gritty, defensive battle that turned into an overtime thriller.
C2C Rams Head Coach Dontreale Cain came into the game confident, riding a two-game winning streak. Despite a few key injuries during practice, Cain believed his team was well-prepared to take on the Bruins.
“We came off two straight wins so we’re looking good right now, hopefully, we can continue the streak,” Cain said before the game. “We’re short a couple of guys who got hurt during practice, but I think we should be straight.”
On the other sideline, Benson Bruins Head Coach Tyrone Jones knew his team had prepared well but emphasized the importance of mental focus. For Jones, the outcome of the game depended on which version of his team showed up.
“It’s been an up and down season, with these kids you never know who’s going to show up,” said Jones. “I think we’re going to come out and get this win, it should be a great game.”
The game began with Benson’s defense immediately asserting itself. Reggie Uluiva made a crucial tackle for loss on the Rams’ first drive, setting the tone for a defensive standoff. The Rams were forced to punt, and Benson’s offense, led by running back Braylon Wilson, quickly responded with a 17-yard run that moved the ball deep into Rams territory. However, the Rams’ defense, led by standout player Mesbah Khairkhwa, countered by sacking Wilson in the backfield and forcing Benson to turn the ball over on downs after a failed fourth-down attempt.
As the first quarter came to a close, both teams remained scoreless. The Bruins’ defense continued to pressure the Rams, with Phillip Huff Jr. making a key tackle on Elijah Goldsmith to keep the score locked at 0-0.
The second quarter saw Benson take control defensively. Azariah Solo sacked Rams quarterback DJ Boyce Jr., forcing a long third-down situation. Moments later, Braylon Wilson intercepted a pass from Boyce Jr., giving the Bruins an opportunity to score. But the Rams’ defense, led by Khairkhwa and Jalen Watkins, made it difficult for Benson’s offense to find any rhythm. The Bruins were forced to punt after Boyce Jr. recovered his own fumble, but Khairkhwa continued his dominant play, batting down two consecutive passes on third and fourth downs.
As the half came to a close, both teams remained gridlocked in a defensive battle as they fought to a scoreless time. Neither side could gain the upper hand, and the tension began to build as the second half approached.
After halftime, the Bruins looked poised to break the tie. Darien Norman took a direct snap and gained 7 yards on a promising run, but a mishandled snap on the next play led to a fumble, which Khairkhwa recovered for the Rams. This turnover gave the Rams’ offense new life. A few plays later, the Rams earned an automatic first down due to an unnecessary roughness penalty on Phillip Huff Jr., and the Rams’ Elijah Goldsmith capitalized on the momentum, rushing for gains of 7 and 13 yards, pushing his team deep into Bruins territory.
However, Benson’s defense stood firm, forcing a fourth-and-inches situation. Rams quarterback Micah Sanchez executed a quarterback sneak, pushing forward 5 yards to the Bruins’ 11-yard line. The Rams, now in prime scoring position, faced a crucial moment. Yet, Benson’s defense again refused to break, and as the third quarter ended, the score remained 0-0.
The fourth quarter was marked by more defensive heroics. Benson’s defense continued to disrupt the Rams’ offense, causing chaos in the backfield. On a critical fourth-and-goal play, Rams quarterback Sanchez was nearly intercepted by Anthony Simmons II, turning the ball over on downs. With just 6 minutes left in regulation, the Bruins had another opportunity to end the deadlock.
Wilson led the Bruins’ charge with consecutive rushes of 17 and 15 yards, putting the team in Rams territory. Christopher Taylor added 9 yards on a carry, but Khairkhwa once again disrupted Benson’s momentum with a big tackle for loss. The Rams’ defensive line, relentless throughout the game, forced another turnover on downs as Benson’s offense struggled to protect against the pressure.
With just over 2 minutes left, the Rams had a final chance to win in regulation. Goldsmith broke free for a 17-yard run, aided by an unnecessary roughness penalty on the Bruins, which put the Rams in Benson territory. However, Benson’s defense held strong as time expired, leaving the score tied at 0-0 and sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, the Bruins had the first chance to score, starting from the 10-yard line. Wilson picked up 4 yards on a handoff, and Taylor added another yard, but a fumbled snap pushed the Bruins back to the 8-yard line. Facing a critical fourth-and-goal, the Rams’ defense came up big once again, making it nearly impossible for the Bruins to advance.
Now it was the Rams’ turn. Starting from the 10-yard line, Goldsmith took the ball 8 yards to the Bruins’ 2-yard line. With victory in sight, Sanchez took matters into his own hands, scoring on a 2-yard quarterback sneak to give the Rams a 6-0 overtime win.
After the game, the emotions were palpable on both sides. The Bruins were visibly disappointed after the heartbreaking loss, but Coach Jones found solace in his team’s resilience.
“That’s what we’ve been teaching all year, just keep fighting,” said Jones. “Like I said, it’s been an up and down year. We’re missing some players, but the ones that did show up came to fight, and that’s all I can ask for.”
Coach Cain, though pleased with the win, focused on the camaraderie his team was building.
“There’s a lot of new pieces on this team, so they’re all just coming together as the season progresses,” Cain said. “They’re believing in each other and they’re becoming like brothers, they’re developing friendships and memories that will last a long time.”
