Football: Todd Beamer takes down Thomas Jefferson

It was business as usual for Todd Beamer High School football as the Titans defeated crosstown rivals Thomas Jefferson High School, 35-8, in a convincing week eight victory on Oct. 25.

For sophomore quarterback Esquire Williams in his second rivalry game, he feels the increase in intensity when two Federal Way teams square off.

“The beef between our teams is actually kind of funny,” Williams said. “It is live. You get tackled and they are talking. Everybody is flying around and they are trying to kill you out there. It’s fun, I love it.”

Todd Beamer is now 4-3, and after a loss to Federal Way, will not see the playoffs in 2024. That’s after a 2023 season where the Titans won just three games. Despite allowing just eight points, Head Coach Rodney McCurry is still searching for a complete game from his defense.

“We need to put a full game together where our defensive line, linebackers and defensive backs play in sync. Tonight we got close today… For the most part, it was a solid game,” McCurry said.

Thomas Jefferson and Todd Beamer might as well be called the McCurry Bowl as Rodney is married to Thomas Jefferson athletic director Courtney McCurry.

This time around, Rodney gets the bragging rights and Courtney will have to wait until next year.

Todd Beamer took the opening kick down the length of the field and Williams found Matthew Cheperchenko on a three-yard slant for the opening score.

On the very next drive after an interception by Titus Taylor, Todd Beamer pulled out all the stops. Just across the 50-yardline, Williams threw a backward pass to Cheperchenko, who launched a pass that was caught by Keith Rogers Jr.

“He’s got a big arm,” McCurry said.

“Matthew has an arm. Like he can launch it. I knew it was going to happen, practicing all week. He threw that thing and it was a great catch too,” Williams said.

Elijah Prim finished off the drive with a rushing touchdown, and Todd Beamer cruised to an early 14-0 lead and never looked back.

On the Raiders’ next possession, sophomore DreShawn Reddix intercepted the second pass of the night. He was one of a few freshmen and underclassmen that made an impact on the game for McCurry.

“It is always fun to see throughout the year where, ‘We’re gonna be good because of him.’ We are just letting our guys play that have earned the spots, done it in the classroom, done it in the hallway and at practice. The young guys looked really good today,” McCurry said.

Sophomore Kris Banta-Green, Doty, Williams and Reddix give a lot of hope and excitement for McCurry and his staff to build on for the future of Todd Beamer football.

“It was a good night,” McCurry said.

It was a point of emphasis since the Titans were eliminated to give players a chance to contribute who haven’t had the opportunity to do so this year.

Thomas Jefferson’s defense did do their part, creating a turnover as well in the first half. Raider sophomore Aleksandr Encinas picked off Williams, but the Raiders were forced to punt before halftime.

At halftime, the score was just 14-0, but the Titan defense made life very difficult for Head Coach Tremain Mack in the first half and even at the start of the second half. On the Raiders’ third play from scrimmage, junior Thomas Doty deflected a pass that found the arms of junior Carrdell Carrington, who rumbled his way into the endzone for a pick-six.

“It gives us all the confidence in the world (when the defense scores). Knowing that we have a chance to execute and put points on the board, then they score on defense. It makes my life easy,” Williams said.

In the waning moments of the third quarter, Todd Beamer got on the scoreboard again. Williams led the Titans all the way down the field, and with 1:25 left, took it in himself from one yard out.

Thomas Jefferson did get on the scoreboard early in the fourth quarter. A well-designed play from the Raiders drew sophomore Pritchard Lio open, and Mabin Guillen delivered a strike.

The Titans responded with a touchdown of their own in the final two minutes of the game, and Williams threw for his second touchdown of the night. Williams found Rogers Jr. for a score from 18 yards out. Rogers Jr. was battling an illness but made himself available and made an impact.

“He had a great night tonight, he looked awesome,” McCurry said.

Todd Beamer takes on Decatur in its final regular season game before taking on Central Kitsap in week 10. The Titans know the task at hand — it’s another rivalry game and another big test for this young Titan squad.

“It is a crosstown rivalry. They are doing a great job over there. It would be nice to see our guys rise to the occasion. They are going to give us a test for where we are for next season,” McCurry said. “We wanna see how our young guys take that challenge. It is going to be fun.”

His players hear that same message: “We’re not bowing down to anybody. Decatur’s got it coming for real. We are not bowing down to nobody,” Williams said.

For the Raiders, they take on Federal Way to close out the regular season. It has been a tough year for Mack and Thomas Jefferson in year one. Just one win so far and the Eagles are going to pose an extremely formidable test.