Football team’s new successes bring excitement to RHS
It’s safe to say the Roosevelt football team is the talk of the town. Walking the hallways, going to assemblies; the vibe has changed. There’s an excited buzz around this year’s team, even more so as playoffs roll around. The homecoming assembly had an energy that previous years lacked, and game attendance has been at a high point. While the first game ended with a loss, it was against Camas, one of the top teams in the state. It was also without starting Quarterback Dalton Anderson.
After this, the Riders won 4 games in a row, boasting comfortable victories over Seattle Prep, Blanchet, Ballard, and Garfield. Against the last three, the riders’ defense held opposing teams to a combined 6 points, including a shutout against Blanchet. The homecoming game against Ballard was especially exciting from a student perspective. The stands were packed, the energy was up, and the team was dominating in the annual “Anchor Bowl.”
After a comfortable 49-3 victory against Garfield, where star running back Damari King ‘26 ran for 133 yards and two touch- downs, a much tougher opponent, Eastside Catholic, awaited them. Against Eastside Catholic, the Riders were without King as well as Wide Receiver Nolan McWilliams and Wide Receiver Kash Lexing who were ejected in the game against Garfield for taunting. Without these star players, it proved to be a difficult game, where the Riders fell 27-26.
They bounced back against Rainier Beach, dominating them 42-7. But the focus had been on the game on October 25 against Metro League super team O’Dea, who’s ranked number two in the state. Cornerback Kayden Steptoe ’26 said “[The O’Dea game] will show that we’re not just a group of players coming together, we’re a brotherhood and that we built a culture that we can play with and beat anybody. But whatever hap- pens in that game we’re gonna grow and learn from it.” Against O’Dea, the Riders put up a fight, losing 30-49, which was the most points scored against O’Dea all season.
Steptoe emphasizes the culture that new coach, Super Bowl champion Sam Adams, has created. “Everybody’s playing for each other, we’re not playing for ourselves, we’re playing for Roosevelt. (Sam Adams) brings that culture that makes us play selflessly and play for this community.” Jubilee Siitia-Tasi ’25, who plays the same position Sam Adams did, says “he gives us the mentality to win and the strength to be a winning team.” Clearly, players have a lot of respect for Adams and the powerful culture he has constructed.
Focused on the playoffs, Siitia-Tasi tells fans to keep their eyes on the defense. “We’ve got the best defense in the state. But we need to bring it together as a team. That being said, you can expect touch- downs from our offense too. But on defense, Roosevelt got some hitters.” Siitia-Tasi says a goal for the playoffs is to show the community, “that we’re as advertised. That’s our goal, to bring the talent together and be the best we can be.”
Going into the playoffs, there’s excitement surrounding the Roosevelt Football Team. But will they meet the hype or fall short? Nevertheless, they have brought an energy to the school and a culture that students, fans, and players love.
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