The Tornados’ offense totaled over 480 yards of offense and found the end zone nine times in Yelm’s 59-9 victory over the Peninsula Seahawks, Oct. 20. The offensive outburst was led by senior All-American Brayden Platt, who totaled seven carries for 123 yards and three touchdowns.
The University of Oregon commit Platt scored the game’s first touchdown of the night on Yelm’s second possession of the game, taking a carry 44 yards for a rushing score. After a successful 2-point try, Yelm led 8-0.
Platt soon found the end zone again on Yelm’s next offensive series as he took a handoff for 21 yards and another touchdown. Yelm led 15-0 after a successful Jameson Patin point after touchdown (PAT) kick.
“A lot of my performance on the ground tonight was because the linemen were getting their blocks. I’d read what they were doing and bounce off them,” Platt said. “It meant a lot to play in front of all these fans tonight. Especially having my brothers back here and being able to play for them definitely meant a lot.”
Late in the first quarter, Yelm once again had the ball and the Aalona twins — Damian and Marius — connected through the air on a 50-yard touchdown. After a successful 2-point try, the Tornados led 23-0.
Early in the second quarter, the Seahawks marched the ball into field goal range where they booted their only points of the half. Yelm led 23-3 after the Seahawks’ 23-yard field goal.
Anthony Kiamco continued his hot streak for the Tornados in the second quarter when he found the end zone after a 55-yard rush. The senior speedster turned on the jets and outran Peninsula’s defense, extending Yelm’s lead to 31-3.
Later in the second quarter, Platt completed his touchdown hat trick when he rushed for 40 yards to the end zone. At the end of the first half, Yelm led Peninsula 38-3.
After forcing a Peninsula three-and-out, Yelm’s offense quickly found the end zone again when Damian Aalona connected with Patin on a 29-yard touchdown. The junior Patin’s first career varsity touchdown extended Yelm’s lead to 45-3 early in the third quarter.
With Yelm’s backup in, fans got a glimpse of the future with sophomore Parker Myers running the offense at quarterback. Myers was responsible for the Tornados’ two final touchdowns of the contest, including an 11-yard rushing score and a 16-yard pass to junior Josiah Hardie. Yelm led 59-3 midway through the final quarter.
The Seahawks found the end zone late in the fourth quarter of the contest against Yelm’s junior varsity team after a 27-yard Peninsula rushing touchdown. The Tornados led 59-9 after Peninsula missed the PAT.
With the 59-9 victory, Yelm extended its conference winning streak to 26 games and 13 consecutive South Sound Conference matchups where the team has scored 50 or more points.
Yelm’s offense totaled 486 yards, while its defense allowed just 82 yards with the vast majority coming on Peninsula’s only touchdown drive of the contest.
“Thank you to the community for the support during the homecoming game,” senior linebacker and UCLA commit Isaiah Patterson said. “Like I said, I’m still fairly new, but everyone here has welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like I’ve been here my whole life. So thank you to the community, and come pop out on Friday against Gig Harbor. It’s awesome to get the homecoming win in front of all the fans. I’m still somewhat new to the community, but it’s awesome how everyone comes out to support the team. I love being a part of this brotherhood. Tonight’s win feels great.”
The Tornados’ final regular season matchup of the year is at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27 at Yelm High School. Yelm will host the Gig Harbor Tides (7-1, 6-0 SSC) in the South Sound Conference championship game, where the Tornados can earn their fourth consecutive league championship.
“It means a lot to have the opportunity to compete for our fourth consecutive league title,” Yelm coach Jason Ronquillo said. “It feels great. It’s definitely a demonstration of the work the kids have put in, the amount of work they do in the offseason. You can’t just come in during August and September and expect to win a league title. Everything you do from December to August matters. To be a part of the legacy of trying to get four league titles in a row is a blessing.”
The contest on Gig Harbor will also serve as the Tornados’ senior night contest.
“These seniors mean the world to me,” Ronquillo said. “I’ve been following these guys since they were in middle school or even younger. Even my own child has played with some of these guys growing up. It’s been great to watch their journey along the way. You never know when you’re watching young kids, particularly in the fifth or sixth grade, of how good they can actually be because you can’t base a lot of things on potential. You can only base things on the growth you’re seeing. A lot of these guys are going to end up being collegiate athletes, which is just an amazing accomplishment for them.”
