Improving its South Sound Conference winning streak to 23 consecutive games, the Yelm Tornados defeated the North Thurston Rams 58-7 in a blowout on the gridiron. Sophomore Jacob Ford led Yelm in scoring with three touchdowns, and the Tornados turned to two of their big men up front for 2-point conversions.
Totalling 343 yards of offense on just 25 plays from scrimmage, the Tornados’ offense was at the top of its form throughout the contest. The Tornados’ defense, which did not allow a touchdown in the contest, was on point as well.
“Our defense always sets realistic progress goals to accomplish during the game, and it’s easy to assess our progress as the game continues,” head coach Jason Ronquillo said. “They were really dialed in this week.”
Senior Oregon commit Brayden Platt found the end zone on Yelm’s second offensive play of the game, outrunning the Rams’ defense on a 45-yard rushing touchdown. Yelm led 6-0 after an unsuccessful 2-point try.
After a quick Rams’ three and out, Yelm’s offense marched the ball down the field and scored four plays after North Thurston punted. Platt found the end zone again, this time on a 9-yard rush. Following the touchdown, Yelm’s offense lined up with starting right guard Landen Barger, Montana Tech commit, as running back. The big man followed lead blocker Isaiah Patterson and exploded into the end zone for a successful 2-point try, giving the Tornados a 14-0 lead.
“Letting our offensive linemen run the ball reminds us that the game is supposed to be fun,” Ronquillo said. “For all the selfless linemen in the world, that was for them.”
After another North Thurston three and out, the Tornados scored on their first play on offense after the punt, when Ford received a pop pass from his quarterback Damian Aalona and showed off his speed, scoring from 53 yards out. After a successful 2-point try, Yelm led 22-0.
Ford found the end zone again in the second quarter when he hauled in a 23-yard touchdown reception from Damian. Setting up for another 2-point try, starting right guard Kyle Kaaiwela lined up in the backfield as running back, and like Barger, followed his blocker Patterson and burst into the end zone for a successful 2-point try. The Tornados led 30-0 early in the second quarter.
“It felt great to get this opportunity. Before the play, I was thinking about the other offensive linemen that were here before me, the ones that have gone on and graduated, and the teammates I’ve been with for four years. It felt great going through that end zone, especially with Landen,” Kaaiwela said. “It’s a blessing that Landen and I had the chance to score and got the opportunity to have a carry in [the] game.”
Following the mauler’s successful 2-point conversion, Yelm’s offense scored twice more in the first half. The Aalona twins, Damian and Marius, connected for two touchdowns through the air from 14 and 20 yards out to extend Yelm’s lead to 44-0 as the first half wound down.
With less than a minute remaining in the half, North Thurston attempted to string some offense together but got burned when senior Anthony Kiamco intercepted a Rams’ pass and returned it for 23 yards and a touchdown. The Tornados led 51-0 at halftime.
North Thurston’s only touchdown of the game came from a scoop-and-score defensive touchdown in the fourth quarter from 29 yards out. The Tornados scored the final touchdown of the game, when Ford, completing his touchdown hat trick, scored on a 41-yard rushing touchdown. Ultimately, Yelm defeated North Thurston 58-7.
Kaaiwela, who scored his first points as a football player along with Barger, was proud of how the offensive line performed against the Rams.
“Communication was key this week for our offensive line, especially against this type of defense,” Kaaiwela said. “Communication is more knowledge for us, and it’ll help us out throughout the season and into the playoffs.”
Yelm remains on the road for its next contest against the Capital Cougars on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Ingersoll Stadium in Olympia. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Cougars are 2-2 on the season, with victories over non-conference opponent Thomas Jefferson and South Sound Conference opponent North Thurston.
“Expect an exciting game because Capital likes to throw the football as much as we do, or more,” Ronquillo said. “The Saturday night game will be unique.”
