Chiefs underestimate Cadets

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake trampled the grass at Lions Field in their season opener Friday against Eisenhower.

Chiefs play solid football but lose it on turnovers

MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake trampled the grass at Lions Field in their season opener Friday against Eisenhower.

The Chiefs came out blazing, scoring the first points of the game on a run by Daunte Powell but were unable to sustain that momentum, succumbing to Eisenhower 16-25.

"I feel good about the team," coach Greg Kittrell said. "The guys put out an excellent effort."

Powell's scoring opportunity was created by defensive back Michael Tucker, on a pick during IKE's second play of the game and put Moses Lake up 6-0 early. Powell would finish the game with 106 yards on 13 carries and his lone touchdown.

Eisenhower was able to block the extra point attempt before taking possession of the football.

Eisenhower took it in on their next drive to put them up 7-6 in the first quarter.

The back and forth scoring would continue as the game wore on and what first appeared to be a game that would record a basketball-like score, slowed and began to look more like a football game.

Moses Lake began to show signs of wear and tear as the game progressed and allowed a 13-6 IKE lead to emerge as the first quarter came to a close.

The Chiefs began the second quarter with a defensive stop by Chris King who sacked the Eisenhower quarterback to create a fourth and ten situation.

Moses Lake's Ryan Carpenter scampered for 78 yards and a touchdown on the punt return to pull the Chiefs within one. Moses Lake opted to go for the two point conversion and scored to take the lead, 14-13. Carpenter added 39 yards on five carries to his return for a touchdown.

After recapturing the lead, Moses Lake was able to make a defensive stop, forcing Eisenhower to punt from the Moses Lake 45.

On the second play of the Moses Lake drive, IKE recovered a fumble to regain possession.

The Cadets then marched down the field for a touchdown but failed to convert the two-point attempt.

To add insult to injury, Moses Lake's Josh McDougall was picked off during the next drive. McDougall ended the night 7 for 15 passing with three interceptions and 42 yards. He also added 21 yards on 11 carries to his stats.

The Chiefs ended the half down 14-19.

During the opening drive of the third quarter Moses Lake was slowed by a false start and a defensive stop from IKE.

Eisenhower then orchestrated a drive that gave the quarterback a touchdown on a keeper play, putting IKE up 14-25.

That would be IKE's last scoring drive of the night.

Moses Lake found two more points in the fourth quarter but were unable to catch the Cadets.

The Chiefs fell to Eisenhower on turnovers — committing seven to IKE's two. The turnovers came on four fumbles and three interceptions.

"I think our only fault was underestimating Eisenhower," Kittrell said.

Brandon Anderson, a running back, recorded 46 yards on nine carries.

Moses Lake's next match-up will be at Wenatchee on Saturday.

"We're looking to clean up our errors in the next week," Kittrell said.