Warden drops road game to Okanogan

OKANOGAN - The Cougars jumped out to a 14-0 lead and at the end of the first quarter, but that was all the scoring the team could muster against the Bulldogs as Warden dropped its season opener 25-14 Friday.

"We were ready to go from the beginning of the game. Nate Cole ran back the opening kickoff 95 yards for a score to put us up 7-0 (PAT good)," coach Erik Skone said. "But we didn't finish out and let them back into the game"

Warden's second touchdown was set up by Angle Luna who blocked a punt at the Okanogan 3-yard line.

Cougar running back Adam Hansen fumbled the ball on the following offensive snap, but Luciano Reyes pounced on it in the end zone for a Warden score.

The Bulldogs put six points on the board in the second quarter to get within eight, 14-6 at intermission. Okanogan out scored Warden 19-0 in the second half of play to run away with the game.

"We had a pick-six and a punt blocked in the fourth quarter that led to 13 points," Skone said. "We also had four or five long runs and passes called back. One on a mystery block in the back call inside Okanogan's 4-yard line."

Warden also had several opportunities to score from inside the Bulldogs red zone, but failed to come away with points.

Quarterback Garritt Marks led the passing attack for the Cougars completing 16 of 28 passes for 205 yards and two interceptions. Backup Jerry Reyes threw for 61 yards and one pick Hansen led the ground attack with 103 yards on eight carries.

Warden is back in action Friday night when the Cougars host a nonleague game against Lind-Ritzville-Sprague. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

"The Broncos are a good team with a lot of good athletes," Skone said. "We are going to have to be on our game to beat them."