Southridge stops Chiefs
Derrick Pacheco/Columbia Basin HeraldMoses Lake quarterback Josh Loera throws a pass to wide receiver Billy Brice during the Chiefs' 31-3 loss to Southridge Friday night.
Suns 31
Chiefs 3
MOSES LAKE - The Chiefs could not overcome a 10-0 first quarter deficit as the visiting Southridge Suns defeated Moses Lake 31-3 Friday night at Lions Field.
Southridge jumped on the Chiefs early when Clayton Homme intercepted a Josh Loera pass and returned it 52 yards for the game's first touchdown and a 7-0 Suns lead.
The Chiefs could not respond on their next possession and the Suns raced to a 10-0 lead following a 36-yard field goal from Southridge kicker Phil Voorhies.
Moses Lake cut the Suns lead to 10-3 following a 29-yard field goal from Moses Lake's Dylan Signorelli. Signorelli's attempt gave the Chiefs their only score of the ball game as Moses Lake lost it's second consecutive game on the newly renovated Lions Field turf.
Despite the loss head coach Greg Kittrell was satisfied with his team's play.
"The defense overall played very well," he said. "Our run defense was pretty stout."
The Suns went into halftime with a 17-3 lead following a 1-yard touchdown run from Southridge's Cam Sanders.
While Kittrell said his defense played well, his offense must improve.
"We just sputtered," he said. "We get into a situation, and we have done this two weeks in a row now, and we have to get it figured out."
Kittrell said the key to the game was his team's inability to capitalize on Southride's miscues.
"We missed a number of opportunities," he said. "We just have to take advantage when we have great opportunities presented to us and put points on the board."
Senior running back Michael Thomas did not play for the Chiefs because he injured his ankle last week against Coeur D'Alene and Kittrell said back up running back Kyle Coriel filled the void left by Thomas.
"I thought Kyle Coriel ran his butt off," he said. "He gave us everything he had and did a fine job. He ran hard every down, he did everything to give us the best dimension he could."
The Chiefs could not find an answer for Southridge as they fell in defeat 31-3.
Moses Lake travels to Pasco Friday night to take on the Bulldogs.