Victory slips away from young Wahluke Warriors last Friday

MATTAWA - The Wahluke Warriors have played three straight quality football games, but their youthfulness is hurting.

Last Friday at Burbank, the Warriors were unable to protect a 14-7 fourth period lead and lost, 28-14, in a South Central A Conference East opener. They fell to 1-2 overall.

"The game was tied until five minutes were left in the fourth quarter, when we had a miscommunication and threw an interception for a touchdown," coach Brycen Bye said.

The back breaking play was an interception that Burbank's Tucker Simonton returned a mere nine yards to put the Coyotes ahead 21-14. Then a 60-yard punt return put the game out of reach.

The Warriors continue their season this Friday with the first home SCAC East contest.

Before Burbank's 21-point explosion, the Warriors controlled the scoreboard. Running back Jaime Jimenez scored from two yards in the first period and from one yard in the second. Alan Caro was perfect on two kicks.

Jimenez had his third 100-yard night in three games, carrying 27 times for 120 yards. Martin Tello added 56 yards on seven carries, and Steven Machuca rushed for eight yards in three tries.

"We ran the ball well, and ultimately had a chance to win," Bye said.

Meanwhile, the Warrior defense held the Coyotes to 73 yards rushing, knocking the quarterback backward for 12 yards in losses.

The difference offensively was in the passing. Burbank hit on 10 of 16 passes for 151 yards. Wahluke completed one of five attempts for zero yards and the game-changing interception.