Decatur soccer holds serve against Todd Beamer
Published 5:00 pm Monday, May 4, 2026
Crosstown rankings and records take precedence over pretty much everything else. What you do against teams closest to you means more at an emotional and physical level, no matter the overall record.
Decatur High School’s boys soccer team for the last two seasons has shown a level of dominance that was on display on May 1 at Federal Way Memorial Field with a 3-2 victory over Todd Beamer High School.
Over the last two seasons, Decatur is 10-2 against all other Federal Way schools. Thomas Jefferson (1-0, 2026) and Federal Way (3-1, 2025) have beaten the Gators since head coach Dom Dismuke took over the program.
“City rivalries are always going to be tough. Both teams are always going to show up because both teams want to be the best team in the city,” Dismuke said. “Just like last year, we proved once again that we are the best team in the city and one of the best in the league.”
The Gators came in on their first two game losing streak of the season to Auburn Mountainview and Kent-Meridian. But Dismuke gave his team a proverb following the two losses. “The windshield is bigger for a reason. That is because what is ahead is most important. We don’t need to worry about what happened in the last two games,” Dismuke said.
The Gators took an early advantage in the third minute thanks to a Todd Beamer miscue in the third minute. An undercooked pass from the Titan defense to their keeper allowed sophomore Johnny Thomas to get on the ball and beat the keeper for Decatur’s first goal.
Thomas’ speed was on full display, and he just blew by every player in the blue shirt. He began the year on junior varsity and absolutely tore it up, scoring 10 goals in 16 games. Those numbers were eye-catching enough and Thomas got the call to varsity, where he made an impact in his second start of his young career.
“He’s a great player. In tryouts I told him he was close. Ultimately he forced my hand,” Dismuke said. “When a guy scores 10 goals in 16 games, you have no choice but to call him up.”
The Titans quickly responded with two goals, but both came in different ways. The first was a rocket of a shot from Shibghatullah Shahidy that rattled the cross bar and found the back of the net. The second came from a calculated counter attack led by Jesus Urdaneta Veliz. The senior winger has speed that allows Todd Beamer to break in an instant. He went from one penalty area to the other and found Israel Martinez waiting on the back post for the go-ahead goal for Todd Beamer.
But Decatur relied on senior leadership. Adrian Alonso took charge and was the reason Decatur drew level with the Titans. Alonso weaved through Titan defenders and knuckled a right-footed shot past the Titan keeper. “He’s been great. He is one of the most vocal guys that I have on the field. I think he’s an incredible addition to this team. The kid never stops running,” Dismuke said.
The two sides went to halftime tied 2-2 following Alonso’s first half stoppage time goal and Decatur turned it up a notch in the second half. But instead of going to an all out attack, when Decatur is at its best, they control the ball and play simple, according to Alonso. “When we play together, communicate and just have fun, that is when we play our best,” Alonso said.
Decatur drew a penalty in the 62nd minute and Jose Bonilla Ruiz converted on that chance to win the game for the Gators.
The Gators can’t overcome Auburn Mountainview for a chance at a league title. But a 10 win season, the most since 2019, is a feat in and of itself, especially with the playoffs on the horizon and the Gators eyeing a state tournament appearance for the first time since 2017.
“The biggest thing we need to do is put the ball in the back of the net. We were able to get three goals tonight. It’s the first time in a while,” Dismuke said.
