Chiefs ground attack takes care of Lions

by Derrick Pacheco<br
| October 5, 2009 9:00 PM

KENNEWICK — Moses Lake found themselves in an early hole for the second straight week Friday night, but for the second straight week Todd Griffith’s Chiefs dominated the second half to wrap up a Columbia Basin Big Nine Conference Columbia Division victory.

Moses Lake dominated the second half Friday night and controlled the tempo on the ground for the majority of the contest, rushing 47 times for 261 yards and Moses Lake scored three touchdowns on the ground, including a pair by running back Brandon Lublin in the fourth quarter to ice the game.

While Moses Lake dominated the ground throughout the contest, it was Kennewick who took an early lead at Lampson Stadium in after Trevor Brown ran 38 yards for the game’s first score. The Lions failed to convert the extra point.

Despite the early deficit, Griffith wasn’t concerned.

“I knew we would come back,” he said. “I told the kids Kennewick would play us tough.”

Moses Lake responded after Kennewick’s score when senior quarterback Dylan Signorelli connected with senior wide receiver Mitch Hill from 17 yards out for the game-tying touchdown.

The Chiefs converted the extra point for a 7-6 advantage.

On their next possession, the Chiefs marched down the field and found themselves in the red zone.

While Moses Lake threatened to go up by a touchdown, Kennewick’s defense rallied to keep the Chiefs out of the end zone.

Although Kennewick kept Moses Lake from scoring their second touchdown of the half, the Chiefs added to their lead when Signorelli booted a 20-yard field goal for a 10-6 lead, Griffith said.

“I didn’t want to go for the field goal,” he said. “We were down on the one or two and we had three chances and couldn’t score (the touchdown).”

Despite trailing in the second-quarter, the Lions would not go quietly.

After a scoreless possessions from both Kennewick and Moses Lake, the Chiefs found themselves facing fourth down. Instead of trying to extend the drive, Moses Lake opted to punt to Drew Loftus.

Loftus fielded the punt at his own 45-yard line and would make the Chiefs pay, returning it 55 yards for the go-ahead score and Kennewick led 13-10 at the half.

Although the Lions led at the break, Griffith was confident.

“I wasn’t worried, but I was a little concerned that we were lackadaisical,” he said. “We made a few adjustments offensively and defensively (during halftime).”

Although Moses Lake trailed by a score at the half, Signorelli and the Chiefs would respond. Moses Lake took the opening drive 67 yards in four plays for the go-ahead touchdown.

Signorelli guided the Chiefs on a four-play scoring drive, highlighted by a pair of vital runs, including one from 22-yards, putting Moses Lake ahead 17-13.

After Kennewick’s first drive of the second half stalled, the Chiefs took a 24-13 edge after Signorelli found senior wide receiver Jimmy Molina from two-yards out for his second touchdown pass of the night and Moses Lake took command of the conference contest, Griffith said.

“The offense came right out and scored,” he said. “We three-and-outed them and then came back, scored again and led 24-13.”

Kennewick responded to Moses Lake’s second touchdown of the quarter when Loftus hauled in an 80-yard touchdown pass from Brown to help the Lions claw their way back to a 24-21 deficit.

While Kennewick pulled within a score of the Chiefs heading into the fourth quarter, Lublin scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns on runs of nine and two yards and Moses Lake rolled to a 38-21 road victory.

Moses Lake entered Friday night’s contest with the intent to throw the football, but Kennewick took the passing game away from the Chiefs, Griffith said.

“We came into the game thinking we were going to throw the ball, they had a pretty good game plan and they were giving us the run,” he said. “They made it difficult to throw the ball and we took what they gave us. Signorelli did a good job of reading their fronts. He made sure the right guy had the ball.”

With the win over Kennewick, Moses Lake improved to 2-1 in conference play and 3-2 overall. The Chiefs are looking for a possible run into the playoffs and will face their toughest challenge of the season Friday night when they travel to rival Wenatchee to take on the fifth-ranked Panthers at 7:30 p.m.

Griffith said Friday night’s game at Wenatchee is vital.

“It’s going to be a tough one. We need some community support to be there,” he said. “It’s going to be an exciting game. The winner will be in first place and that is what we are looking for.”