Preparing for the playoffs

Moses Lake needs a win against Kennewick tonight to make playoffs

MOSES LAKE - During a crisp Wednesday afternoon, standing in the middle of Lions Field, the Moses Lake football team sang its fight song in preparation for Thursday's do-or-die battle with Kennewick.

The do - win and go on to the playoffs. The die - the season ends. Preventing a loss isn't on the minds of the Chiefs' football team, bringing home a win is.

"We are guaranteeing victory," said defensive lineman Wilson Holman. "We didn't get this far for nothing."

Getting this far wasn't a consideration after a rough start. Moses Lake's season began with a 1-3 record that virtually eliminated the Chiefs from the playoffs. But, key losses from around the Big Nine have kept the door open with a must-win situation for the Chiefs and the Lions of Kennewick.

And the matchup comes with all the trimmings. Kennewick boasts the second best rushing defense in the league, while Moses Lake hails its No. 1 rushing offense.

With those two factors on the table, Moses Lake feels the best thing for it to do early is establish itself.

"We are going to go out there and establish our running game early," said offensive coordinator Mike Hymes.

It also pits two 1,000-yard rushers against each other and a possible 1,000-yard passer. It features senior night for Kennewick and home field advantage. But, the Lions also bring the 10th ranked offense onto the field against a defense that has given up 14.4 points per game during its last five games, posting a 4-1 record along the way.

What has always been consistent for the Chiefs has been its offense, but the turnaround in the season has been the improved play from Moses Lake's defense.

"I think that our fronts are better than theirs. Our perimeter kids are better than theirs," said defensive coordinator Todd Griffith. "I don't see a threat in their passing game. Some teams have thrown the ball on us and some have not."

The defense improved from the worst in the Big Nine to seventh during the stretch and the secondary began seeing the field better, according to Griffith.

Stopping the Kennewick offense will mean stopping its 1,000-yard rusher Terrence Jackson.

"He is really nifty and I think his strength is hitting the corner," Griffith added. "He is not easily tackled."

Of course, Moses Lake has its own rushing threat in Robbie Waites and when he isn't carrying the ball, has Ryan Carpenter, Jeff Warner and Daunta Powell backing him up.

"Our kids match up really well with their kids and we feel like we can take advantage," Hymes said.

For either side, today's game means a difference of a season continued and one that ends. For Moses Lake, who battled back from the bottom of the league, taking advantage of the opportunity will have its challenges.

The Chiefs will play in Lampson Field on Senior night in front of Kennewick's fans. Hymes said he expects it to get rowdy as Moses Lake prepares for its biggest game of the regular season.

"They are going to be fired up on senior night in front of a home crowd trying to get into the playoffs," Hymes added. "We need to know that every time we snap the ball, we could score."