By Dylan Reubenking
dylan@yelmonline.com
The Yelm High School football team earned its first victory of the season before the pads even came on.
After hours of uncertainty swirled around a potential teacher strike postponing the Tornados’ season opener against Mount Tahoma High School, student athletes received the news after practice Monday, Sept. 2, that Yelm Community Schools (YCS) and the Yelm Education Association (YEA) reached a tentative agreement.
As assistant football coach Bryan Hooper gathered them to announce the news, players erupted with joyous cheers and hollers while coaches beamed with pride in the background.
“They’re jacked for it. There’s been a lot of work up to this point, and I’ve really been trying to get the kids to not focus on the teachers and the YEA and just focus on what we’re supposed to be preparing for,” head coach Jason Ronquillo said. “I thought the kids have done a pretty good job at that. I know in the back of their minds, they were still thinking about it and it was still bothering them a little bit. For them to react the way they did to hear that news, it was exciting to see.”
The YEA voted to ratify the agreement the following afternoon, which meant that the Tornados would officially face the Thunderbirds at home Thursday, Sept. 5, without any distractions.
Eyes on Mount Tahoma
To kick off the first game week of the season, the Tornados started practice by diving into the schematics and watching film of the Mount Tahoma Thunderbirds, a team with whom Yelm was familiar. The Tornados defeated the T-Birds, 29-12, in the 3A state quarterfinals in November to advance to the semifinals and end Mount Tahoma’s season.
Last season was the first playoff berth for the T-Birds in nearly 40 years, and Ronquillo expected them to give Yelm their best shot on Thursday.
“If somebody talks about us and about how physical we are, we can say the same thing about Mount Tahoma. They have a very physical presence,” Ronquillo said. “I think the culture that [head coach Keith Terry] brings is a toughness to the game. You’re gonna see them spread the ball. They’ll go in no-back sets, and they’ll go in Wildcat sets, where they’ll do a direct snap to a receiver or running back and he’ll take it. You’re gonna see a variety of football come Thursday night.”
The T-Birds certainly gave the Tornados their best shot as they jumped ahead 21-7 in the first half before Yelm leaned on its run game and defense to storm back in the third quarter. The Tornados scored 28 unanswered points in the second quarter and held on in the fourth quarter to win, 42-34, and improve to 1-0.
New-look Yelm offense
Yelm’s offense will look a bit different, as the Tornados lost quarterback Damian Aalona, running backs Brayden Platt and Anthony Kiamco, wide receiver Marius Aalona and three starting offensive linemen after graduation.
Junior Parker Myers got the nod as this year’s starting quarterback for Yelm, but Ronquillo said before the Mount Tahoma game that Timberline transfer Synjae Colston would get reps as well. Colston threw Yelm’s lone passing touchdown to Jacob Ford in the second half against the T-Birds, while Myers threw for 48 yards and showcased his athleticism with 103 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
Ronquillo said Myers proved his starting capabilities through repetition in fall camp and spring camp, but he added that the junior is “still challenged for that spot.”
“It’s not like a one-man show. This is non-league. They’re supposed to demonstrate to us what they can do in these non-league games before we get into the league,” Ronquillo said. “Colston has a really strong arm, and he’s really picking up the offense. He’s a really superb athlete that can run with the ball in his hands and can throw on the run.”
Brothers Nathan Ford and Jacob Ford will lead the Tornados’ rushing attack, along with Ethan Owens, Marcus Ronquillo and Gunner Westbrooks. At wide receiver, Jacob Ford, Patin and Jay Sumich will make plays for the Tornados offense.
Bol Bol, a transfer from Canada, is an intriguing addition to the Yelm offense as he will see time at tight end and in the trenches. At 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, he brings a physicality and length to the team.
“He’s a great athlete, and I like his length. I like how physical he plays,” Ronquillo said. “He’s a student of the game. He’s only been here for maybe a month, and he has been studying every day. It’s paying off for him.”
The Tornados also return three standout offensive linemen in Boise State commit Jacob Tracy at left tackle, Shane Creegan at center and Chris Hauss at right tackle.
Tough Tornados defense
Despite losing defensive end Kenji Scanlan, outside linebacker Onyx Carter, inside linebackers Platt and Isaiah Patterson, and defensive back Arlo “AJ” Henderson Jr., the Tornados look to be stout once again on the defensive side of the ball.
Hauss was a force on the defensive line as a junior and has had a strong offseason, including earning a defensive line most valuable player award at a University of Idaho camp and picking up a walk-on offer from the Vandals. Sophomore defensive back Maurice Williams will be difficult for opposing quarterbacks to pick on, and he already holds offers from schools such as the University of Washington, Washington State University, Oregon State University and Brigham Young University.
Tracy also will suit up along the defensive line, as well as state wrestling champion Jonah Smith. The linebacker room will feature MJ Wadley, Nathan Ford and Owens, and Westbrooks is a playmaker in the defensive backfield.
What they’re saying
The Tornados are entering their first year in the 4A South Puget Sound League and join Bethel, Bonney Lake, Graham-Kapowsin, Olympia and Spanaway Lake in the South Division. They will face all five of their division foes this season.
Graham-Kapowsin, like Yelm, is looking to avenge a state championship game loss as the Eagles fell to Lake Stevens at the 4A level, and the Tornados were shut out by Bellevue in the 3A level.
Eagles head coach Jeffery Logan spoke highly of Ronquillo and his program and looks forward to the chance to face the Tornados in what should be annual blockbuster matchups, beginning at YHS on Oct. 4.
“Yelm is going to be a tough opponent for a long time. Coach Ronquillo has done an outstanding job of creating a hard-nosed, tough and winning culture down there,” Logan said. “I would expect to see them competing for league titles and being competitive at the state level for as long as their numbers qualify them for the 4A classification. Playing good defense and running the football are keys for success in late November football in this state, both of which they have done well for an extended period of time now. It will be fun to play them annually. Good competition always brings out the best in everybody.”
Olympia head coach Nick Mullen, who faced Yelm consistently in the South Sound Conference while coaching Timberline, considers the Tornados already a powerhouse entering the 4A level. The Bears take on the Tornados in Yelm to close out the regular season on Oct. 25.
“I’m glad they’re in our league. I really like competing against Jason and his staff. It’s going to be a very competitive atmosphere,” Mullen said. “Yelm’s a very supportive community. When it’s Yelm football, that’s the show in town. It’s packed, even when [the program] was still coming up.”
Bethel head coach Travis Domser also gave high praise for the Tornados ahead of their meeting at Bethel High School on Oct. 18.
“Very well-coached. Very good in the weight room. All they do is win. We love having them in our league,” Domser said. “They will compete right away.”
