Moses Lake routs Sunnyside on the road

Chiefs 58, Grizzlies 27

Chiefs 58, Grizzlies 27

SUNNYSIDE - The Moses Lake Chiefs football team capitalized on six rushing touchdowns Friday night to run away with the 58-27 victory over the Sunnyside Grizzlies.

The Chiefs took a 7-0 lead early in the game when senior running back Josh Loera scampered 56 yards for his first touchdown of the night.

Sunnyside responded with a scoring play of their own when Israel Manzo caught a 65-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Daley to close the Moses Lake advantage to 7-6. The Grizzlies missed the ensuing extra point opportunity and the Chiefs clung to a 1-point lead.

On Moses Lake's next possession, senior running back Michael Thomas took the hand off from Loera and ran 17 yards for the score. Junior Dylan Signorelli converted the extra point attempt and the Chiefs led 14-6 on the road.

The Chiefs would score again in the first quarter when Signorelli kicked a 32-yard field goal through the uprights for a 17-6 Moses Lake lead at the end of the first quarter.

With Moses Lake holding an 11-point advantage early in the second quarter, Thomas added to the Chiefs lead when he scored his second touchdown of the game. This score coming on a 32-yard touchdown run.

Moses Lake head coach Greg Kittrell was satisfied with how well his offensive line played against Sunnyside.

"Our offensive line controlled their defensive line," he said. "They opened up some running lanes for (Loera) and (Thomas)."

Manzo would score his second touchdown of the game for Sunnyside on the Grizzlies next possession when he caught a 12-yard pass from Michael Rodriguez. Sunnyside missed their second extra point attempt of the evening as the Chiefs held a 24-12 lead.

Following Manzo's second touchdown of the night, Thomas scored his third touchdown of the first half when he found the endzone from three yards out.

Signorelli missed the extra point and Moses Lake held a 30-12 lead before halftime.

Manzo and Sunnyside would score their third touchdown of the half when Manzo ran 71 yards for the touchdown. The Grizzlies converted the two-point conversion to cut the Moses Lake lead to 10 points at 30-20.

Loera would give the Chiefs a 17-point halftime lead when he found senior Isaac Bergeson.

Bergeson caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from Loera as the Chiefs rolled to a 37-20 halftime lead.

Moses Lake dominated the Grizzlies on both sides of the ball and Kittrell was pleased with his team's effort.

"It was one of our best all-around games," he said. "Loera was aggressive with the ball and (offensive coordinator Mike) Hymes called a great game and the kids executed."

The Chiefs began the second half the same way they ended the first half, with a Moses Lake touchdown.

Moses Lake jumped out to a 44-20 lead when Thomas found the endzone for the fourth time Friday night.

Thomas' fourth touchdown run came from 14 yards out.

Thomas finished the night with 12 carries for 123 yards and four scores.

The Chiefs defense stepped up their play in the third quarter, keeping the Grizzlies off the scoreboard.

Kittrell said his defense played up to his expectations.

"Our defensive line controlled their offensive line," he said. "They run a tricky offense. Once the kids got used to it they responded well. They expect perfection out of themselves."

With Moses Lake leading 44-20, senior Billy Brice caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Loera to give the Chiefs a 51-20 lead.

Moses Lake would score again in the third quarter to take a commanding 58-20 lead late when senior running back Kyle Coriell scored on a 6-yard touchdown run.

The Chiefs took a 58-20 lead into the fourth quarter before Sunnyside capped the scoring with an 81-yard touchdown pass from Rodriguez to Leo Cuellar.

The score cut the Moses Lake advantage to 58-27 as the Chiefs rolled to a 31-point victory on the road.

Following the victory Kittrell said he was impressed with his team's performance.

"In a game they had to win to keep home field (in the playoffs), they showed integrity and intensity," he said.

"The past two weeks, whether we have liked it or not, have been a playoff scenario," he said. "I am proud of how the players have responded."

Kittrell and his Moses Lake Chiefs host only the third playoff game ever at Lions Field Friday night and Kittrell is confident in his players.

"It's a new season," he said. "It could be a two-game season or a six-game season. I am excited to see the kids step up and play. We have demanded more from them and they have responded well."

The Chiefs host Walla Walla Friday night at Lions Field in a Columbia Basin Big Nine crossover game.

Kick off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.