Opportunistic Chiefs stay unbeaten with road win

PASCO - The opening kickoff has been a magical place for the Moses Lake Chiefs in their last two football games.

A week ago, Jarred Walker recovered a Hanford fumble on the opening kick, setting up Moses Lake for a crucial touchdown in its 14-7 victory. The Chiefs took advantage of the same scenario Friday night, scoring an early touchdown and knocking off the Pasco Bulldogs 34-21 in the Columbia Basin League opener at Edgar Brown Stadium.

Turnovers were a huge part of the Chiefs' third consecutive victory. The defense and special teams recovered three fumbles and picked off two passes, and the offense turned them into 28 points.

After the Chiefs recovered Pasco's opening kick fumble, quarterback Josh Loera immediately went to work, hooking up with receiver Billy Brice for a 21-yard touchdown.

Pasco (1-2) got the only points of the second period, scoring on quarterback Carlin Andrew's 7-yard run.

Loera, who completed 6 of 12 passes for 94 yards and an interception, found Walker on an 11-yard play in the third quarter, putting Moses Lake up 14-7. Andrew hit Justin Perez on a 26-yard score, tying the score once more heading to the fourth.

The teams continued trading blows, with Loera's 6-yard run punctuating another short Moses Lake drive set up by a turnover for a 21-14 lead. Pasco answered as Andrew scored on fourth-and-goal from a yard out, tying the score at 21.

But the Bulldogs made the fatal error on the ensuing kickoff. Moses Lake's Ryan Coulston fielded the ball at his own 18 and zipped 82 yards for the score.

Pasco had nearly five minutes to tie it again, but Moses Lake's Matt Harris came up with his second interception of the night on a third-and-long toss.

Loera put the final touches on the win with a 26-yard scoring run. The junior quarterback led the Chiefs' rushing attack with 66 yards on 12 carries.

Pasco outgained Moses Lake 320-182, a good chunk coming on the strength of running back Austin Wilborn, who carried 23 times for 142 yards. Pasco also had 18 first downs to Moses Lake's nine, but was undone by 10 penalties for 77 yards.

Chris Richardson led the Chiefs' receiving corps with three catches for 61 yards.

Moses Lake returns to the friendly confines of Lions Field this Friday, hosting the Walla Walla Blue Devils at 7:30 p.m. Walla Walla stands at 1-2 overall, 0-1 in CBL play, after a 28-14 loss to Richland last Friday.

Next Game: Friday vs. Walla Walla, 7 p.m.