Wolfpack Win with a Walk-Off Touchdown 33-32

The shouts rang out from Wolfpack fans all over Everett and beyond as Deshon Williams secured Jaiave Magalei's last-second heave as time expired to secure Washington's walk-off 33-32 win over the Beaumont Renegades. Williams capped a frantic last minute as Washington secured their first win of the 2026 Arena Football One season.

After a slow start to the game, the score stood at 13-12 heading into the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter delivered all the excitement fans expect from Arena Football. Washington forced four turnovers defensively, and the offense found its stride late, as Magalei leaned on the size and strength of his receivers to make contested catches in critical moments.

Coming into this weekend, the Wolfpack were looking to build on their momentum from their late-game loss to the Firebirds last week, and Head Coach JR Wells and the Pack delivered late, and the moment never looked too big for quarterback Jaiave Magalei. He knew when to deliver quick strikes to avoid a daunting Beaumont pass rush and when to extend plays with his legs. 

Magalei’s tenacity was on full display late in the fourth quarter as he lined up for a quarterback sneak to try to cut the Renegades’ lead down. After being initially stopped by Beaumont’s tenacious front three, Magalei kept his legs churning and survived a hard hit that jarred his helmet loose as he crossed the goal line for a touchdown. This was the “never say die” attitude that Jaiave and the Wolfpack showcased all day long.

WOLFPACK DEFENSE STEPS UP

As the offense initially struggled to put points on the board, the Wolfpack defense stepped up to limit the Renegades offense. Coming into this week, Beaumont was fresh off a 64-point explosion and were an offense on the rise. Washington was up to the challenge and forced four turnovers that stalled out the Renegades drives in critical moments. Three of the turnovers stopped the Renegades drives inside the Washington ten-yard line.

Javier Edwards anchored the Wolfpack defensive line again, and he forced a key fumble in the first half as Beaumont was driving. The veteran defensive tackle has been an impact player all season, and he repeated pressure up the middle, forcing the Beaumont offense into missed throws, scrambles, and broken plays throughout the night.

The defensive secondary for the Pack stepped up big all game long as they held the Beaumont passing offense to a 10/26 day for 96 yards. They did concede two touchdowns through the air, but they balanced that with three interceptions. Byron Edwards, Machiach Lee, and Tywon Buckley all made key interceptions that stalled out Renegade drives.

Edwards was a key offseason signing with big game experience who has been part of winning organizations. His arrival has been a huge boost to Washington’s defense, and his fourth-quarter interception stopped Beaumont cold and set up Washington to take a late lead on the 41-yard net ball touchdown to Deshon Williams.

DESHON WILLIAMS RETURNS

Deshon Williams rejoined the Wolfpack this week, and his veteran presence was felt in this one. All day long, when Washington needed a big play, the physical veteran made play after play to keep drives alive, and two touchdowns in the last minute capped a spectacular performance. 

Throughout his first two years with the Wolfpack, Williams was routinely the go-to guy. No matter the quarterback, no matter the situation, Deshon could be counted on to make the big plays. It is no surprise that in big moments, Williams was the guy stepping up and making plays. The University of Washington alumnus stepped up big in his first arena action of 2026 with eight catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns, both of which came in the last minute of the game.

JAIAVE MAGALEI CONTINUES TO SHINE

Since taking the starting job against Nashville, Magalei has been reliable and composed under pressure and has now led the Wolfpack to their first win of 2026. Each game has been better than the last, and his performance in Texas was exceptional. 

To start the game, it felt like a repeat of his first start against Nashville. Up and down the field the offense went, but they stalled out repeatedly in the red zone and could not convert those opportunities into touchdowns. But the second half and fourth quarter, especially, were the stage where Magalei shone. 

His three fourth-quarter touchdowns were spectacular, and his two tosses to Williams were composure plays where he knew he could trust his receivers. With one bouncing off the net and one dropped in the bucket, Magalei stepped up big when Washington needed it most. The ending touchdown capped off a spectacular 23/41, 166-yard, four-touchdown performance through the air to go with three rushes for 10 yards and one touchdown. 

THE ROAD AHEAD FOR THE WOLFPACK

With four lead changes in the fourth quarter, the Wolfpack and the fans had to endure multiple cardiac episodes and all the stress. This win comes at a key point in the Wolfpack season. Washington put on a good showing last week against Albany and needed a win this week to build on that momentum.

Beaumont falls to 1-3 with this loss and will travel to take on the Kentucky Barrels next weekend on Sunday, May 17.

Magalei and company delivered in a big way against Beaumont. A win against the Renegades has Washington building momentum as they return to the Pacific Northwest next weekend for another iteration of the Cascade Clash against the Washington Wolfpack. Sitting at 1-3, Washington is climbing the standings, and a win against Oregon would slot them firmly inside the top six and in position for a playoff berth.

After taking on Oregon on Saturday, May 16 at 6:00 pm Pacific, Washington returns home for another showdown with the Beaumont Renegades on Saturday, May 23, at 3:00 pm Pacific on VICE TV.