Yelm’s William Carreto proved to be a Swiss Army knife yet again for the Tornados during a game against River Ridge on Sept. 23.

Carreto, who has played as a linebacker, running back and who is now a kicker, finished the game with seven tackles defensively. The senior achieved four touchbacks on kickoffs, backing River Ridge deep in their own territory on separate drives.

The Tornados offense started the game off quickly after their defense forced a quick three and out. Junior running back and linebacker Brayden Platt was the first to score on the evening, taking a handoff for a 14-yard touchdown. The Tornados converted their two-point try, and took the early lead 8-0.

Later in the quarter, junior Onyx Carter and sophomore Nathan Ford burst through the Hawks’ linemen and blocked a punt. Ford fell on the ball and just like that Yelm was back in the red zone.

Following the blocked punt, junior quarterback Damian Aalona hit senior wide receiver Kyler Ronquillo in the backfield with a quick, pop pass for a 10-yard score, giving the Tornados an early 14-0 lead.

Back on offense again in the first, the Tornados capitalized with yet another Platt rushing touchdown on their third play of the drive, bringing the score to 22-0.

After the touchdown, Yelm saw River Ridge drive the ball offensively due to a defensive pass interference penalty against senior Pavaan Bankston. Bankston “got one back” from the offense in the form of an interception.

The Tornados then put together a nine play drive to add another score. The drive was capped when Aalona found Ronquillo again for another 10-yard Tornados touchdown, giving the Tornados a 30-0 lead in the first quarter.

After forcing yet another three and out, Yelm’s punt return unit was back on the field. Ronquillo caught the kick and went left to right before taking the kick up the Tornados sideline. He was tackled inside the Tornados’ five.

Aalona punched in another Tornados touchdown on a designed quarterback run, which fooled River Ridge’s defense. Yelm now led 37-0.

After another defensive stand, Yelm was back on offense deep in their own territory. The team put together a drive and junior Marius Aalona was found open in the endzone for a seven-yard touchdown pass from his brother.

Going into halftime, the Tornados led 44-0.

Yelm was set to receive the second half kick. After a weak, dribbling kick from River Ridge, Carreto caught the ball and took to the Tornados’ sideline for 76 yards and a touchdown, which gave Yelm a 51-0 lead to start the third quarter.

As Yelm’s junior varsity team entered the game, sophomore running back and linebacker Nathan Ford took a handoff to the left and scored on a 50-yard touchdown which gave Yelm a 58-0 lead.

River Ridge took the ensuing kickoff for a 98-yard touchdown, giving the Hawks their only score of the day. They trailed 58-7 in the third quarter.

The final touchdown of the night came from a 70-yard Anthony Kiamco rushing touchdown. The junior running back has scored for the Tornados in consecutive games. The final score was 65-7, allowing Yelm to notch another victory.

Kiamco led the Tornados in rushing on his one attempt and touchdown. Platt finished the game with five carries for 69 yards and two touchdowns, while Ford had two carries for 50 yards and a touchdown. Trevontay Smith led the Tornados in receiving on one catch for 42 yards, while Ronquillo hauled in four catches for 41 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, linebacker Ray Wright led the team with 10 tackles and two tackles for loss, while Carreto had seven tackles. He also added four touchbacks and a kickoff return for a touchdown to his statline.

Carreto, who is an unsung hero for this Tornados team, tries to simply make the most out of each opportunity presented to him.

“During the week of preparation, we have certain days to include special teams, offense and defense,” Carreto said during an interview with Nisqually Valley News. “I try to make the most of that time to get my plays in.”

In a previous game against Central Kitsap, Carreto had a 90-yard catch for a touchdown called back for holding, but he showed he can be leaned upon when needed.

“We watch film and we look for weaknesses in (our game),” Carreto said. “Our coaches (correct) what we see on the film and we drill it all week.”

The Tornados will host the North Thurston Rams on Friday, Sept. 30 for their 2022 Homecoming game. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.