After Jason Ronquillo led the Yelm Tornados to their first ever state championship victory, the head football coach was met with some high and deserved praise.
During the Sunday, Dec. 11 contest between the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers, Ronquillo was named the Seahawks Washington State Coach of the Year.
Ronquillo, who was also named Seahawks Coach of the Week, following Yelm’s 46-6 victory against Union in week two, guided the Tornados to a perfect 14-0 season.
After the team was questioned about whether they’ve “faced real opponents,” Ronquillo and the Tornados responded by defeating the Kennewick Lions who were the 2021 3A State Championship runner-ups, followed by the 2021 3A State Champion Bellevue Wolverines, and powerhouse Eastside Catholic to cinch the championship title this year.
In Ronquillo’s nine seasons at the helm for the Tornados, he has collected a record of 69-35 and three total South Sound Conference championships. Under Ronquillo, the Tornados have been built from the ground up and have improved each season.
The Tornados finished 4-6 in 2013, 4-6 in 2014, 5-5 in 2015, 5-5 in 2016, 6-4 and a district playoff appearance in 2017, 8-4 and a state quarter-final appearance in 2018, 7-4 and a round of 16 appearance in 2019, 6-0 and SSC champions in spring of 2021, a 10-1 record, SSC Champions and a state quarter-final appearance in 2021, and 14-0 state championship in 2022.
Some of Ronquillo’s signature victories outside of the 2022 season include Yelm’s 42-35 overtime victory against top 10 Bellarmine Prep during the 2015 season. The upset victory was Yelm’s Homecoming game. During the 2018 season, Ronquillo collected several signature victories including a 45-41 victory over 4A Skyview, a 24-21 victory over Bishop Blanchet in the 3A District Playoffs, and a 15-14 win over Lakes in the 3A State Playoffs.
In 2021, Ronquillo collected several more signature wins, including a 34-18 victory over the Lincoln Abes, a 41-20 victory over Mt. Si, and a 52-28 win over Seattle Prep in the 3A State Playoffs.
Ronquillo will have a chance to collect his 80th career victory at the helm of the Tornados program next season.
