Wahluke exceeds coach's prediction
Warden commits five turnovers in league loss
MATTAWA — Wahluke head coach Eric Bertram expected a close game against Warden, especially because his team did not play well the week before. What he got instead was a dominate 32-0 win from his Warriors, fueled by five Warden turnovers.
"We had a good week of practice," Bertram said. "They were a little more relaxed and confident this week."
Despite the lopsided score, Bertram did not feel comfortable with his team's lead until mid-way through the third quarter when his Warriors stopped the Lions on a fourth down play.
Both teams were scoreless at the end of the first quarter but Wahluke broke out for three scores in the second quarter.
Marco Jimenez got the Warriors started with a 22 yard rushing touchdown.
On their next offensive possession Wahluke's Freddy Gonzalez scored the Warriors second touchdown on a 35 yard run.
Warden hurt themselves near the end of the second quarter when they fumbled the ball to Wahluke. The Warriors' Derick Eckenburg recovered the fumble and ran it 22 yards into the end zone for the third score of the quarter for the Warriors. At the end of the half Wahluke led 18-0.
In the third quarter the Warriors' Jimenez scored his second touchdown of the game on a 36 yard run. The Warriors also converted their first PAT of the game for a lead of 26-0.
The Warriors scored one more touchdown off a seven-yard run from Victor Ruvalcaba for a final lead of 32-0.
Bertram credits both the pass rush and coverage for the turnovers committed by Warden. The team is starting a trend. They also had five takeaways in the first game of the season.
"Our secondary reads the ball well," Bertram said. "We have speed and take advantage of it."
He is happy with the performance of the offense. He pointed out the return of Jarrett Gallacci to the offensive line as a calming force to the team. He is the biggest and most experienced member of the line, playing at the right tackle position.
"We were able to stick to our base offense," Bertram said. "We ran the option and coached to our speed."