Visiting Walla Walla smites Moses Lake

Blue Devils 34, Chiefs 13

Blue Devils 34, Chiefs 13

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Chiefs football team couldn't capitalize on an early 6-0 lead as the Walla Walla Blue Devils knocked the Chiefs out of the playoffs Friday night.

Moses Lake hosted just the third playoff football game in Lions Field history on Halloween and the Chiefs could not hold off Walla Walla.

The Chiefs took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter when senior running back Michael Thomas took the hand off from senior quarterback Josh Loera and ran 6 yards for the score. Moses Lake's extra-point attempt was unsuccessful.

Walla Walla took the ensuing possession deep into Moses Lake territory before the Chiefs defense stood strong and denied the Blue Devils a shot at the end zone.

Moses Lake took possession of the football after Walla Walla missed a field goal attempt and the Chiefs marched the ball into Walla Walla territory at the end of the first quarter.

Moses Lake head coach Greg Kittrell said he was proud of his team's performance in the first quarter.

"The first quarter was fabulous," he said. "The offense executed and the defense played well. We felt pretty good at that point."

Following a string of miscues in the second quarter, the Chiefs had fourth-and-long from 35 yards out.

After some confusion, Kittrell sent his field goal unit on to the field.

The Chiefs lined up in a field goal formation and Kittrell said he was trying to catch Walla Walla off-guard.

"We have a pooch kick we try to do," Kittrell said. "The intent was good but we just didn't execute."

Moses Lake had Walla Walla lined up to block a field goal and the Chiefs were attempting to punt the ball and pin the Blue Devils deep.

The punt attempt failed when the snap sailed over kicker Dylan Signorelli's head and bounced deep into Moses Lake territory.

The Blue Devils took possession of the football following the botched kick on fourth down and Walla Walla quarterback Michael Weisner threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Gary Winston which erased the Moses Lake lead as the Blue Devils tied the game 6-6.

Moses Lake took possession of the football after the Walla Walla kick off.

With the Chiefs marching down the field and on their way into Walla Walla territory, Loera fielded the snap from center and dropped back in the pocket.

Loera surveyed the field and couldn't find an open receiver and scrambled down field.

After Loera crossed the line of scrimmage he was hit by a Walla Walla defender and Loera fumbled.

The Blue Devils recovered the loose ball and took a 12-6 lead when running back Spencer Hessler scored on a 6-yard touchdown run.

Walla Walla would score again before the end of the half when Winston caught his second touchdown pass from Weisner, this one coming from 13 yards out and it game Walla Walla a 20-6 lead.

With three timeouts and just under a minute to play, the Chiefs tried to run the football to set up their two-minute offense.

Thomas took the hand off from Loera and was tackled for a 2-yard gain.

Rather than risk turning the ball over on their side of the field, Moses Lake elected to run out the clock and head into halftime.

"Our field position didn't dictate that we could move the ball the way we wanted to," Kittrell said. "We chose to run a play and we were a hair off of a 30-yard run and we went into halftime to regroup. We weren't going to go three-and-out and put their offense back on the field."

The Blue Devils came out in the second half and took a 21-point advantage when Walla Walla scored on their first possession of the second half.

The Chiefs would close the gap to 27-13 when Loera threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Thomas on fourth down with just under eight minutes left in regulation.

Moses Lake attempted an onside kick on the ensuing kick off to attempt to regain possession of the football.

The Chiefs lined up and Signorelli kicked the ball toward a wall of Walla Walla returners.

The kick never went the required 10 yards for Moses Lake to take possession and Walla Walla began their drive from midfield.

The Blue Devils marched down the field with the clock running out on Moses Lake and Walla Walla took a 34-13 lead late in the fourth quarter to seal Moses Lake's fate.

Thomas ran 13 times Friday night for 42 yards and Loera carried the ball 13 times for 51 yards.

Loera was also 16 of 24 passing for 156 yards.

Senior wide receiver Billy Brice had five catches for 46 yards and Chris Richardson led Moses Lake with 51 yards receiving on four catches.

With the loss the Chiefs were eliminated from postseason play, however Moses Lake's season is not over.

Moses Lake will host the Greater Spokane League's Gonzaga Preparatory High School Bullpups Friday night at Lions Field for the final Chiefs football game of the season.

While the Moses Lake football team is disappointed in the loss to Walla Walla, Kittrell said his team will prepare to beat Gonzaga Prep Friday night.

"We try to prepare, win or lose, the same way," Kittrell said. "We think (the kids) have given a great effort. We are going to prepare to win."