Moses Lake eliminated by Chiawana
Eastmont senior wide receiver Carter Haehl (4) hauls in a touchdown pass over Moses Lake sophomore defensive back Ricardo Gonzalez (23). The Chiefs lost to Chiawana Saturday 52-13 in the first round of the state tournament.
PASCO - Moses Lake's season came to an end Saturday after losing in the first round of the 4A state tournament to Chiawana, 52-13.
The Riverhawks used an explosive running game against the Chiefs, totalling 285 yards on the ground while averaging 9.8 yards per carry. Chiawana senior running back Clifton Lozano was a force, rushing for 234 yards, two touchdowns and averaging 10.6 yards per carry.
Moses Lake head coach Todd Griffith knew entering the game Chiawana was a tough opponent and that his team would have to play perfect football.
"They don't have any weakness on their defense nor their offense," he said. "They're solid at every position."
A staple of the Moses Lake offense for the entire year was the ability to run between the tackles as well as on the edges using the option. However, the Chiawana defense was able to stifle the Chiefs' rushing attack and limited the team to 102 yards on the ground. Senior wide receiver Nick Sutherland led the team in rushing with one carry that went for 34 yards.
"They kind of took us out of what we wanted to do," Griffith said. "They're a really physical, downhill defensive team. They run downhill hard, they're very, very active and gave us a lot of problems."
Turnovers have plagued the Chiefs in their losses this season and Saturday was no different. With the game tied 7-7 early on, Moses Lake fumbled on its ensuing drive and Chiawana was able to turn that miscue into points.
"They were definitely opportunistic," Griffith said.
Moses Lake junior quarterback Easton Castro had an efficient game against the Riverhawks, but it wasn't enough to rally the Chiefs from such a large deficit.
Castro finished the game throwing 18-24 for 180 yards and one touchdown.
"I think he had his best game as a passer for sure," Griffith said. "He did a good job of throwing the ball and he was on the money for the most part. I don't think he had any throws that were really off."
Griffith and the Chiefs aren't satisfied with just making it to the tournament. The team hopes to build on this experience and advance farther next year.
Griffith is already preparing for the 2014 season.
"I think you have to start right now and just look at those things and know that somebody's going to look at that film and they're going to say, 'oh here's how you take care of Moses Lake,'" he said. "I watched film this morning and kind of did the same thing I normally would do on a Sunday."