In DeAndre Gill’s first season at Renton High School as head football coach, the Renton Redhawks are 3-0 and off to a historical start. High school sports record keeping is spotty at best, but according to Max Preps, whose data only goes to 2004, Renton has never had a season with a better start.

“We are a very versatile group. Whatever coach needs us to do, we gotta go do it. Whoever we gotta stop, we gotta stop ‘em. We’re just gonna, fight, fight, fight and never quit,” senior running back Patrick Turner said after his monster performance against Lindbergh.

A third win of the season came against those Eagles of Lindbergh, in the second annual “Battle of the Birds.” Renton dismantled Lindbergh 61-18 on Sept. 19 inside Renton Memorial Stadium.

“I’ve seen the guy’s resilience. The hard work they put in until now, you can see it come to fruition. We make sure we stay on them as a staff and do the right things,” Gill said.

Preston Walls (white) fights with Jeremiah Humphrey (blue) for extra yards. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Gill was an assistant at Kentwood for four years and Mercer Island last year before coming to Renton, and has seen his players buy into his coaching philosophy early in the offseason.

“They bought into the system and what us coaches are implementing. These kids are wonderful kids and very smart and intelligent. We are coaching these guys to a high standard and high level. They are taking it and running with it,” Gill said.

It’s a pattern that Lindbergh has become all too familiar with as the 43-point win was the eighth straight loss against Renton since 2015. It is also back to back seasons of 40-plus point losses for Lindbergh against their cross-city rivals, and Renton was dominant from start to finish.

“It feels amazing honestly. We worked really hard all week and even though they were an 0-2 team, we had to come out and show the same level of competition if they were 2-0,” Turner said.

From the Redhawks’ first play from scrimmage, it was clear that it was Patrick Turner’s world and we are all living in it. On Renton’s first play, Turner took the ball 65 yards on a run for the game’s first touchdown.

Renton’s Patrick Turner holds up six fingers, one for each touchdown. Ben Ray / The Reporter

That would be one of six touchdowns for the senior running back in a rivalry game.

“I’ve seen him transition to a total leader. He understands what it takes to be successful. He’s actually bought into the system and the requirements of us coaches. He’s an amazing kid,” Gill said.

Turner also made an impact on the defensive side of the ball as well. In the second quarter, Turner went in for a tackle on Lindbergh’s Jeremiah Humphrey and instead of putting the Eagle running back on his back, Turner went for the ball. Turner ripped the ball out and thanks to a favorable bounce by the oblong football right into his hands, he ran 55 yards for his fourth touchdown of the game.

At halftime, Renton had already reached the 40-point threshold, guaranteeing a second half running clock on the end of a Turner 49-yard touchdown for his fifth touchdown of the game. Renton led 49-6 heading to the locker room.

Between the Turner domination in the first half, junior Renton quarterback Jayjay Saechao found junior Wisdom Bryon for a pair of first half receiving touchdowns. The first was from four yards out, the second was from 27 yards toward the close of the second quarter.

Lindbergh’s first score of the half was from junior Dameon Ellis, who did his best Derrick Henry impression and barreled his way into the endzone from 43 yards out for the only Lindbergh score of the first half.

Lindbergh’s Dameon Ellis stiff arms a Renton defender. Ben Ray / The Reporter

Renton’s 49-point first half tied the 2024 season high in a game, which also occurred against Lindbergh in a 49-6 win.

In the second half, Renton was much more reserved on offense with many second team players playing the majority of the half. Turner was left wide open in the endzone for a 26-yard reception, his sixth touchdown of the game.

“It’s the first time I’ve scored six touchdowns. I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my own o-line blocking for me and my other players as well. We all push each other to get better every day,” Turner said.

With a small scuffle following the Redhawks’ win over Cedarcrest during the high-five line, and a fiery rivalry game against Lindbergh, this Renton team has battled some adversity.

“These kids are resilient, they have been through a lot. I think they are taking that and channeling that into positive energy. We came in the building with a new culture and a new standard to give these kids what they deserve,” Gill said.

Coming from programs like Mercer Island and Kentwood, there are high expectations the Redhawks have set for themselves to match Gill. So far the Redhawks are doing just that.

“He just pushes us to work harder and get better every day. Everything has to be perfect for him, every day we work for perfection. He wants to see everything go the right way. He pushes us to be the best players we can be,” Turner said.

The Redhawks host Newport on Sept. 25 as their undefeated season continues.