Yelm football’s class of 2024 seniors impacted the program in a way that had not been experienced before in school history. Through four seasons, the team went 43-2 as a class, including going undefeated in South Sound Conference play, two state championship appearances, one state title and an 11-2 record in the postseason.
Following the Dec. 1 loss against Bellevue High School at Husky Stadium, several Yelm football seniors reflected on their four-year run. Though their high school careers didn’t end the way they wanted, Yelm’s seniors remained grateful for the opportunities the Tornados gave them and for the strong support from the community.
Senior right guard Kyle Kaaiwela began his varsity Tornado tenure as a sophomore. He said one of his favorite memories as a Tornado was competing at the varsity level as a sophomore.
“To me, being a Tornado is about the hard work and dedication to your profession and academics to make yourself better every day,” Kaaiwela said. “My message that I have is to the young athletes in the community: Great opportunity comes from dedication and hard work. Trust when things aren’t going your way, you’ll persevere through adversity and keep working towards your goals.”
Kaaiwela currently holds offers from Oklahoma Baptist University, Eastern New Mexico University, Montana State University-Northern, Rocky Mountain College, Linfield University, Whitworth University, Pacific Lutheran University and University of Puget Sound. The 6-foot-1-inch, 260-pound offensive lineman hasn’t yet decided on where he’ll play in the future.
Like many Yelm athletes have said throughout the 2023 season, Kaaiwela voiced his appreciation to supporters of Yelm football. He said the community’s support for the team is unmatched.
“I love and appreciate the whole community for their support. It gives us a reason to win,” Kaaiwela said. “Words can’t explain how thankful we are to the community that shows their support day in and day out.”
His teammate, senior left guard Landen Barger, was a force and four-year starter for Yelm on the offensive line. His efforts on the offensive and defensive fronts earned him South Sound Conference Lineman of the Year honors at the conclusion of his junior and senior seasons. He’ll continue his football career in Montana as he’s set to become an Oredigger at Montana Technological University in the fall.
“Some of my most memorable moments as a Tornado were the moments before every game when I gave the pregame speech,” Barger said. “At that moment, I knew everyone had one goal in mind, and it was the same goal.”
Barger, like Kaaiwela, thanked the community for everything it has done during his four-year tenure as a Tornado, adding “it’s been more than we could’ve ever asked for.”
Left tackle Tyler Blevins said being a Tornado has a sense of pride to it, and that wearing the Yelm logo means something to people who embody what it means to be a Tornado.
“As I’ve only been playing football for four years, I really couldn’t have asked for a better team, coaching staff, community to play with,” Blevins said. “I don’t regret any choice I’ve made with that team and hope that the future is just as successful.”
He said his favorite memory as a Tornado was winning the 3A state championship in 2022. He said making a difference on the field during that game meant the world to him. He added that the community’s support has been memorable as a Tornado, as well.
“I think the support from the community is just incredible,” Blevins said. “Being on the field and having an entire city behind me is just such a great feeling. I want to see that kind of support for the future of Yelm, too.”
Kaaiwela, Barger and Blevins were a part of an offensive line that included Shane Creegan and Chris Hauss, which paved the way for 3,166 rushing yards, 40 rushing touchdowns and over 9 yards per carry. As a unit, Yelm’s linemen allowed just one sack in 255 attempts, making quarterback Damian Aalona very happy.
Aalona took over as starting quarterback in week one of the 2022 season after former starting quarterback Palaina Hooper graduated, and in his 28 games as starter he passed for 4,681 yards. Aalona totaled 59 passing touchdowns to just six interceptions during his two years at the reins.
Aalona also finished with a 96% winning percentage, going 27-1 as the starting quarterback. He said his favorite moments as a Tornado were throwing the first “twin touchdown” to his brother, Marius, and winning the 3A state championship. He described both accomplishments as special achievements.
“Being a Tornado means a lot. Growing up in the culture, and with my twin bro and some of the guys on the team now, just made it so fun for me,” Aalona said. “I just want to thank the Lord for all the blessings he put in my life. He’s the reason we are all here today. I also want to thank everyone for their support. It is really awesome how we have such a tight-knit community, and I love it.”
Defensive end Kenji Scanlan, a University of Idaho football commit, was a steady force on Yelm’s defensive line during his junior and senior seasons. His best performances as a Tornado came during the 2023 playoffs against Mount Tahoma and Eastside Catholic when he totaled 21 tackles, three sacks and three tackles for loss across the two postseason games.
He said being a Tornado means to be a part of a family. He moved back to Yelm as a junior and was immediately welcomed into the program by both his teammates and the community, he said.
“I’m truly grateful for the support and love that the community has shown to me over the course of two years, despite not being a part of the community as long as the others that I played with,” Scanlan said. “My most memorable moment as a Tornado would be winning the first state championship for the community and school. It brought joy to a lot of people.”
Outside linebacker Onyx Carter finished his senior season with 94 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and six sacks. He described being a Tornado as overcoming all obstacles and being a part of a brotherhood.
“At Yelm, we have our brothers’ back through anything,” Carter said. “I would love to say thank you to all the people of the community for showing up no matter what. Through the horrible weather and far away games, they never stopped showing up to every game and packing the stands. They truly helped us get as far as we did.”
He added his most memorable moments as a Tornado were team dinners the night before game days. He said he loved sharing those meals with his teammates and having an amazing time for 14 weeks of dinners.
