Warden walloped by Wahluke

Cougars battle tough Warriors team

WARDEN — Warden played a strong Wahluke team Friday night, losing 36-22.

Warden's final scoring drive of the night began on their own 16-yard line.

"I think that last one was a matter of pride for them," said Warden head coach Erik Skone after the game.

The drive began with an incomplete pass. On third and eight, Juve Salinas connected with Joel Martinez for a conversion to keep the drive alive.

Salinas found Martinez again for another first down and continued to march his team down field. After completing a third pass to Martinez, Salinas opted for two consecutive quarterback keepers to gain back-to-back first downs.

Warden lined up on the Wahluke 22-yard line with a first and ten looking toward the end zone. Salinas' pass, intended for Arty Reyes sailed wide. On second down, Salinas found AJ Martinez to make it first and goal on the Wahluke 4-yard line.

Salinas handed off to Joel Martinez and, fittingly, Joel took the ball to the big house for a touchdown. With nothing to lose, the Cougars went for a 2-point conversion and earned it on a pass to Joel Martinez.

"We opened the second half and didn't execute," said Skone. "We had to play catch-up after that."

Both teams started the game slow, punting away a possession each, before Salinas was intercepted on his own 36-yard line for a turnover.

On a heads-up play, Scott Phillips tackled Wahluke before the interception could be taken down field. The Cougars continued to pound Wahluke on defense during the ensuing possession and forced the Warriors to punt away on fourth and 15.

Warden's defense could not find an answer for Victor Ruvalcaba who ran all over the Cougars and led Wahluke to their first touchdown on a 7-yard run near the end of the first quarter.

Wahluke continued to use the running game against Warden and earned another quick touchdown to make it 13-0. Warden's defense took charge on the extra point attempt and blocked the kick.

Chance Buck started the ensuing drive for the Cougars with a 17-yard kickoff return that was advanced by a personal foul against Wahluke.

Warden began the drive in excellent field position on their own 46-yard line. Buck carried the ball for a 5-yard gain on the first play of the drive and carried for another two yards as the drive continued.

On third and three, Salinas was intercepted and Warden gave up possession.

During the ensuing Wahluke drive, Buck, Justin Rollins and Phillips each earned tackles for the Cougars but could not stifle the run of Ruvalcaba, who recorded a 58-yard touchdown to go up 19-0.

Before the end of the half, Warden was able to put together their first scoring drive of the game. Phillips began the drive with a 9-yard carry that was followed up by a 46-yard carry by Joel Martinez.

On third and 11 from the Wahluke 28-yard line, Salinas handed the ball off to Joel Martinez who took the ball in for a touchdown.

Wahluke stunned the Cougars, returning the opening kickoff of the second half for a touchdown to extend the lead to 26-6.

Warden answered with a 23-yard kickoff return by Buck.

On first and 10 at their own 24, Salinas handed the ball off to Joel Martinez, who took the ball for a 22-yard run before being brought down. Buck earned a 5-yard gain on a second and nine situation and was followed by a completed pass to Reyes for the first down.

The Cougars continued to march downfield, heading all the way to the Wahluke 23-yard line. On third and one, the Warriors were flagged for an off sides penalty to give Warden a first down at the Wahluke 14.

Buck snagged a pass from Salinas for a touchdown to cap off the drive and make it 12-26. The Cougars then earned another 2-point conversion to push the score to 14.

Warden finished the night with 308 yards of total offense. Salinas was 12-of-29 passing for 140 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions and had eight carries for 30 yards. Joel Martinez had nine carries for 66 yards and five catches for 71 yards. Buck had 10 carries for 34 yards and one catch for 15 yards. Phillips had two carries for 19 yards and one catch for one yard. AJ Martinez had three catches for 37 yards. Reyes had two catches for 16 yards. Rollins led the team in tackling.