By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
Behind a strong rushing performance from Alijah Nelson and a defense that came through in critical situations, Washington United 10U (Tac City) defeated the Benson Bruins 9U 21-12 in The Seattle Medium’s Youth Football Game of the Week.
Nelson rushed for 105 yards and two touchdowns, while Alijah DeMyers added another rushing score to help Washington United withstand a determined Benson team that pulled within one point at halftime and continued to challenge Washington United throughout the second half.
Benson quarterback Khalil Ladd also delivered an impressive performance, rushing for 136 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries while completing three of six passes for 29 yards and another score. Ladd accounted for both Benson touchdowns and helped keep the Bruins within striking distance.
Benson received the opening kickoff and began the game on offense, but Washington United’s defense made its presence felt early, limiting the Bruins’ progress.
After taking possession, Washington United moved the ball downfield and benefited from two offside penalties on Benson, including a fourth-down penalty that gave Washington United an automatic first down and kept the drive alive.
Washington United continued advancing into scoring territory, prompting Benson to call a timeout with 3:46 remaining in the opening quarter. A holding penalty briefly slowed the drive, but Nelson eventually powered his way into the end zone on a 1-yard touchdown run. The successful extra point gave Washington United a 7-0 lead.
Benson looked to respond, with Ladd completing a 5-yard pass, but Washington United’s defense prevented the Bruins from reaching the end zone. Washington United carried its 7-0 advantage into the second quarter.
Benson began building momentum behind Ladd and Leeangelo Bentley, but penalties disrupted the Bruins’ progress and forced them into difficult down-and-distance situations. The drive eventually ended with a turnover on downs.
The Bruins’ defense responded by preventing Washington United from extending its lead, giving Benson another opportunity.
When Benson regained possession, Bentley picked up eight yards before Ladd gained five yards to keep the drive moving. Bentley then broke free for an 11-yard run, and Ladd connected with Emmett Larmour on a 16-yard pass to move the Bruins deeper into Washington United territory.
Benson appeared to score when Ladd reached the end zone, but the touchdown was called back because of a penalty.
Another penalty pushed the Bruins backward, but they continued moving the ball. Jaxton Prum added a 4-yard run before Ladd gained 16 yards and followed with another 7-yard carry to bring Benson within striking distance.
The Bruins finally broke through when Ladd connected with Larmour for an 8-yard touchdown pass. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving Washington United with a narrow 7-6 lead at halftime.
Benson kicked off to Washington United to start the second half, hoping to build on the momentum it had established before halftime.
Washington United took possession looking to extend its lead, but Benson’s defense forced a turnover on downs following two incomplete passes.
The Bruins were unable to capitalize, however, as Washington United limited Benson’s rushing attack and forced an incomplete pass on fourth down.
Washington United then took advantage of its next offensive possession.
Nelson broke free for a 12-yard run to help move Washington United into scoring position before DeMyers finished the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run. The successful extra point extended Washington United’s lead to 14-6 with 4:39 remaining in the third quarter.
Benson continued looking for an answer, with Bentley gaining eight yards on a run, but the Bruins were unable to convert another fourth-down opportunity.
The Benson defense responded with pressure of its own, recording tackles for loss, including a strong defensive play by Judah Tamasaunoa-Maile.
Washington United continued threatening with an 18-yard run by Nelson, although a penalty slowed the drive. The third quarter ended with Washington United holding a 14-6 lead.
Washington United opened the fourth quarter with another explosive scoring play as Nelson broke free for a 33-yard touchdown run. The successful extra point extended Washington United’s advantage to 21-6 with 9:29 remaining.
But Benson wasn’t finished.
After struggling to gain yardage on the opening play of its next possession, Ladd broke loose for a 58-yard touchdown run, giving the Bruins a much-needed spark. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, but Benson had cut the deficit to 21-12 with 8:03 remaining.
Washington United looked to answer with more big runs from Nelson, including two consecutive gains of more than 40 yards that were called back because of penalties.
Benson’s defense continued battling, limiting Washington United’s progress and eventually forcing a turnover on downs when DeMyers was stopped short on fourth down.
The Bruins took possession looking to cut further into the deficit, with Bentley and Ladd contributing key runs to move the ball downfield.
Ladd picked up 12 yards on a third-down run to keep Benson’s drive alive, but the Bruins eventually faced another difficult fourth-down situation.
With the clock winding down, Benson called a timeout with 30 seconds remaining. Tamasaunoa-Maile gained three yards on fourth-and-8, but Washington United stopped him short of the first down marker and regained possession.
Benson’s defense, however, had one more big play left.
With seven seconds remaining, Tamasaunoa-Maile intercepted a pass from Washington United quarterback Apollo King Neloms, giving the Bruins one final opportunity.
Ladd attempted a final pass, but it fell incomplete, sealing Washington United’s 21-12 victory.
The game featured strong performances from both teams, with Nelson leading Washington United’s rushing attack and Ladd accounting for both Benson touchdowns. Bentley contributed 39 rushing yards on nine carries, while Larmour caught two passes for 24 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Tamasaunoa-Maile recorded a sack and an interception for Benson, while Neloms contributed an interception for Washington United.
After the game, Washington United head coach Dazhinar Watson praised his team’s effort against a competitive opponent while acknowledging that there were areas needing improvement.
“There were missed assignments and miscues that occurred, but we teach bend, don’t break,” said Watson. “While we never like to see our defense on the field as much as they were, we just made sure to make our offensive possessions dominate with the run game and count when needed.”
Game Stats
Washington United 10U
Passing: Apollo King Neloms, 1 of 5, 0 yards, 1 INT.
Rushing: Alijah Nelson, 13 carries, 105 yards, 2 TDs; Alijah DeMyers, 2 carries, 5 yards, 1 TD; George Ropati, 1 carry, 4 yards; Apollo King Neloms, 1 carry, 0 yards.
Defense: Apollo King Neloms, 1 INT.
Benson Bruins 9U
Passing: Khalil Ladd, 3 of 6, 29 yards, 1 TD; Jaxton Prum, 0 of 1, 0 yards.
Rushing: Khalil Ladd, 15 carries, 136 yards, 1 TD; Leeangelo Bentley, 9 carries, 39 yards; Jaxton Prum, 1 carry, 4 yards; Judah Tamasaunoa-Maile, 1 carry, 3 yards; Cuhsyas Ahto-Fa’amalele, 1 carry, 2 yards.
Receiving: Emmett Larmour, 2 receptions, 24 yards, 1 TD; unidentified receiver, 1 reception, 5 yards.
Defense: Judah Tamasaunoa-Maile, 1 sack, 1 INT.
