Panthers Battle the Elements and the Tornados in Rain-Soaked League Match

Pule Wilson, Colt Miller, Jaedon Kaiser. Photo Credit: @shotbymateo1

Bonney Lake’s Pink Out crowd shines bright despite cold, wet conditions as Yelm controls tempo in 16–6 win.

It was a night that could only be described as Pacific Northwest football. Wet. Cold. Gritty. Under Friday night lights and a steady October drizzle, the Bonney Lake Panthers hosted the Yelm Tornados in a league matchup that was as much a test of endurance as execution. The Panthers entered the game 0–4, still searching for their first win of the season, while the Tornados came in at 1–4 and looking to regain momentum.

Panthers Defense.

Despite the weather, the home crowd turned out strong for Bonney Lake’s annual Pink Out Night, supporting breast cancer awareness with a sea of pink that filled the stands. Even as the rain fell harder, fans stayed loud and loyal, a testament to the spirit of Panther Nation.

A Slippery Start and Defensive Battle

The rain began as a light drizzle at kickoff but quickly turned the ball slick, impacting both teams. Dropped passes, a few fumbles, and missed kicks became part of the rhythm as both defenses settled in.

After a quick three-and-out on the Panthers’ first drive, Bonney Lake’s defense was immediately tested. Yelm drove to the goal line and faced a third-and-six before the Panthers Cody Cano came up with a huge sack to force a missed field goal, an early defensive statement that set the tone for the night.

Both teams traded punts and stops through most of the quarter, but with just under a minute left, Yelm finally broke through, punching in a one-yard run to take a 7–0 lead.

Brody Zubal and Colt Miller. Photo Credit: @shotbymateo1

Rain Intensifies, Tornados Keep Control

As the second quarter began, the drizzle turned to a steady downpour. Field conditions worsened, footing became harder, and the passing game nearly disappeared. Yelm continued to control possession and tempo, keeping Bonney Lake’s offense pinned deep and limiting opportunities.

With 35 seconds remaining in the first half, the Tornados found the end zone again on another rushing touchdown to stretch the lead to 13–0 heading into halftime.

Panthers Find Life in the Second Half

The Panthers opened the third quarter with renewed energy. Quarterback Colt Miller led Bonney Lake on its best drive of the night, moving the ball with confidence despite the slick conditions. Near the goal line, Miller kept it himself and dove across for a touchdown to put the Panthers on the board, cutting the deficit to 13–6.

The defense held strong the rest of the quarter, forcing stops and giving the Panthers a chance. But the rain, and Yelm’s ground game, continued to dictate the pace.

Tornados Seal It Late

In the fourth quarter, Yelm added a field goal that served as the final dagger, closing out a 16–6 victory. The Panthers fought hard but couldn’t overcome the combination of weather, turnovers, and Yelm’s clock management.

Looking Ahead

While the scoreboard didn’t favor Bonney Lake, the defense showed resolve and discipline throughout a difficult night. As the regular season winds down, the Panthers will look to turn that effort into results when they travel to Spanaway Lake next Thursday for another league matchup.

With just two games remaining, Bonney Lake continues to search for its first win, and with their fight and fan base behind them, they’ll look to make it happen on the road.