Renton 89ers Hold Off CPC To Claim Spot In Championship Game

In a tense and physical semifinal battle in the North Sound Junior Football 89er Division playoffs, the Renton Rangers edged out the CPC Eagles 12-7 to earn their place in the championship game. Both teams came into the matchup well-prepared and hungry for a shot at the title, and the game delivered four quarters of hard-hitting football, timely turnovers, and game-changing plays.

The action started immediately as Renton’s Jeffrey Kamoto stunned the CPC sideline with a 53-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the very first play of the game. It was a statement play that energized the Rangers and gave them an early 6-0 lead. The point-after attempt was no good, but Renton had momentum in hand.

CPC responded with poise. Macklin Larson gave the Eagles good field position with a solid return to the 30-yard line. From there, the CPC offense began to grind forward behind the tough running of Crew Carter, who powered through the defense on consecutive carries, bringing the ball inside the Renton 10. It looked like the Eagles were set to answer right away, but Renton’s defense tightened up. A key stop for a loss pushed CPC back, and a loose ball on the next play turned into a game-changing moment. Dion Webb jumped on the fumble for Renton at the 14-yard line, swinging possession back to the Rangers and deflating the Eagles’ promising drive.

Renton, however, couldn’t take advantage of the turnover, as the CPC defense responded with their own stand, forcing a turnover on downs. This time, the Eagles capitalized. With field position flipping back in their favor, Jaeden Rich broke through for an 8-yard touchdown run, capping a determined drive for CPC. Cooper Richards added the extra point, giving the Eagles a 7-6 lead midway through the second quarter.

The remainder of the half saw both teams continue to battle for control. Renton came painfully close to retaking the lead just before halftime, driving deep into CPC territory. But the Eagles’ defense held firm at the goal line, stopping the Rangers at the 1-yard line on fourth down. That could have been the last opportunity before halftime, but the game’s back-and-forth nature continued. On CPC’s very next possession, Aking Green of Renton recovered a fumble at the Eagles’ 10-yard line, giving the Rangers yet another short field with just over a minute left in the half.

This time, Renton didn’t let the opportunity slip. Quarterback Treyden York connected with Cameron Charles for a 15-yard touchdown pass on a well-executed route. The point-after attempt missed, but Renton regained the lead, going up 12-7 with 1:23 left in the half.

The second half opened with both teams emphasizing defense. CPC had the ball early in the third quarter following a controversial turnover on downs that gave them a favorable field position. But the Renton defense rose to the moment. Dion Hooks, Treyden York, and others made key plays to halt CPC’s drive and turn the ball back over with 4:30 remaining in the third quarter.

On the ensuing possession, Renton again struggled to move the ball and was forced to turn it over on downs, giving CPC new life with the ball at the Renton 33. The Eagles began driving, looking for a go-ahead score, but once again, the Rangers’ defense came through. With 1:13 left in the third quarter, Quincy Mitchell recovered a fumble to keep CPC off the scoreboard and preserve the five-point lead.

The fourth quarter was marked by gritty, physical football on both sides. Renton had one more chance to add to their lead late in the game but failed to convert on fourth down with just 22 seconds left. That gave CPC a final shot, needing to go nearly the length of the field to steal the win. But Renton’s defense, as they had all game, delivered when it mattered most.

A timely sack by Filihai Makasini, Cameron Charles, and Quincy Mitchell pushed the Eagles back. On the final play of the game, Charles broke through for one last sack, sealing the win and sending the Renton sideline into celebration.

With the 12-7 victory, Renton moves on to the North Sound Jr Football 89er Division Championship game. The CPC Eagles, despite a strong and well-coached season, came up just short in a game that was decided by a handful of key plays and a relentless defensive effort from the Rangers.