ML Chiefs looking for state berth this season

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Chiefs haven't made the state playoffs since 2006 and finished with an overall record of 4-6.

However, fifth-year head coach Todd Griffith is optimistic about his team's chances in 2013.

"We're looking to win the whole thing," he said. "We were close last year... thought we had the opportunity to do that and didn't get it done... I like our chances right now. I think we're looking pretty good and we've practiced well up until this point... any team it's all about getting in and performing and executing and being disciplined and if we can get that done then we should be really good I think."

The Chiefs are beginning their second season as a member of the realigned Columbia Basin Big 9 Conference and look to rebound from a roller coaster 2012 season.

Moses Lake started strong winning three of their first four contests before losing five out of their last six games. Despite a losing record, the Chiefs were competitive coming within seven or less points in four of their six losses.

"The team that was the best team last year, Eastmont, they just had the guys that would get things done and they did it and we couldn't get it done," Griffith said. "We don't lack talent we lack discipline."

Griffith's tenure as head coach has been up and down, but he explained that in his fifth season he is beginning to come into his own as a coach.

"I think we're going in the right direction," he said. "This is year five for me and I think we're to where I'm maturing as a coach and I think our coaching staff is kind of solidified a little better."

Last season, the Chiefs fielded a strong offensive unit behind a strong group of seniors. Moses Lake ranked second in team offense led by quarterback Justyn Simmons, running backs Cameron Law and Trino Rubio and wide receiver Cameron Ballard. The team struggled on the defensive side of the ball ranking fifth in the Big 9. Griffith attributes some of the defense's problems to the competition it faced.

"It was a strong offensive year," he said. "The offenses were good and the team that played the best defense, it had to be Eastmont, they were the teams that continued to win."

Griffith hopes that the switch to a four-man defensive line as opposed to the odd stack the team played last year will alleviate some defensive woes as well.

According to Griffith, junior defensive lineman Colton Rose has been impressive in practice and is expected to wreck havoc on opposing offenses. Griffith described Rose as "unblockable" and expects him to be double teamed which should free up rushing lanes for fellow linemen junior Jordan Simmons."We have a tough time blocking them with my offensive line," he said in part.

The Chiefs are also returning two all-conference honorable mention defensive backs in Ben Crowell and Renwil Bacat, which should help solidify the back end of the defense.

"Ben's a technician guy," Griffith said. "He covers well... he's a physical kid. He's a little slighter build than Renwil. Renwil's big, stocky and he's going to pound you. You make a mistake and he's going to hit you really hard."

Undoubtedly the biggest obstacle facing the 2013 Chiefs is the loss of all-state quarterback Justyn Simmons to graduation.

Simmons led the team in both rushing and passing with 970 yards with his feet and 1,665 yards through the air. He was also able to toss 19 touchdowns and run for 11 scores.

Junior Easton Castro will assume starting quarterback duties and Griffith hopes that senior Nick Sutherland and junior Tyson Karstetter returning at wide receiver will help the transition.

The Chiefs begin their season at home against Walla Walla. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at Lions Field.