An emotional victory to end the season

Tucker returns for final Chiefs game

MOSES LAKE — All over the field Thursday night, there were signs, the number two and the initials "M.T." were proudly worn by each Chief in honor of Michael Tucker.

Thursday was senior night and the last game of the final season of their careers as Chiefs, Tucker among them. A fractured vertebrae in his neck kept Tucker from playing in the Chiefs' last game of the season, but he was able to join his fellow seniors in standing with their parents to accept the praise of the crowd.

"It's tough because he wants to play, he wants to be a part of it so bad," said coach Greg Kittrell of Tucker. "It's a huge relief to see him healthy and a huge emotional boost for the kids to have him here."

Moses Lake rallied around their seniors, and Tucker, for a 41-7 rout of Kennewick that started as soon as the clock began in the first quarter.

"I think it was well played all around," said Kittrell.

The Chiefs forced a punt from Kennewick on their first drive of the night. Ryan Carpenter was deep to receive and got the Chiefs' offense started on the 43 yard line.

With less than two minutes gone in the quarter, Josh McDougall found Aaron Wafer in the end zone. Mick Aney kicked the extra point to cap off the drive and it was a 7-0 ball game.

On the next possession, Kennewick was stalled with penalties when A.J. Pyle disrupted a pass play and recorded a pick for the Chiefs.

Carpenter had two carries and took the ball to the 32 yard line before Brandan Anderson carried it in for a touchdown with six minutes left in the quarter.

On Kennewick's next drive it was Taylor Stout's turn for an interception. Stout snagged the pass on near the 29 yard line and scampered down field for a defensive touchdown.

"We stumbled a little on offense in the second quarter but the defense stepped it up and got it done for us," Kittrell said.

Moses Lake ended the quarter up 21-0 on Kennewick.

Kennewick's only score of the night came with 1:15 left in the second quarter.

The Chiefs answered to end the half. Carpenter took a 12-yard run to the end zone and Moses Lake went into the locker room with a comfortable 28-7 lead over Kennewick.

During Kennewick's first drive of the second half, Zac McDougall read the pass play and hauled in the third pick of the night for the Chiefs.

On the ensuing drive, Josh McDougall connected with Caleb Gonzalez for the touchdown.

The extra point attempt was fumbled on the snap and no extra point was made, leaving the Chiefs up 34-7.

The final touchdown of the night was a carry from Carpenter, who ran 65 yards for the score.

"It was a great team effort tonight," said Kittrell. "We're out but we won five or our last six and we had a never quit spirit."

The Chiefs finished the night with 369 yards rushing and 77 yards in the air for a total of 446 yards on offense and held Kennewick to 248 yards.

Carpenter had 10 carries for 156 yards and two touchdowns and Anderson had five carries for 107 yards and a touchdown.

Gonzalez had three catches for 47 yards and Wafer had one catch for 30 yards and a touchdown.

Josh McDougall was 4 of 8 for 77 yards passing.