Chiefs victorious in season opener

MOSES LAKE - The Moses Lake Chiefs opened their 2013 campaign with a hard fought win over the Walla Walla Blue Devils 27-24 in overtime Friday night.

Friday's win was head coach Todd Griffith's first win in a season opener since his first year in 2009.

"Our kids responded really well," he said. "It was great to be at home. The home crowd definitely helped them out and they were excited about that but, you know, all in all it was a win and we did what we had to do."

Starting quarterback Easton Castro led the team with 135 passing yards and two touchdowns. Brett Moser accounted for one rushing touchdown as well as on receiving touchdown. He finished with 40 yards on the ground.

Moses Lake was able to get on the board first with a 16-yard toss from Castro to wide receiver Tyson Karstetter with 6 minutes, 15 seconds left in the first quarter.

Walla Walla answered in the second quarter with a 25-yard touchdown pass by Zachary Zehner to knot the score at 7-7.

The Chiefs retook the lead late in the second when Castro threw his second touchdown of the day to Brett Moser.

Griffith and the coaching staff was impressed with Moser's effort even though it was tough sledding against the Blue Devil run defense.

"As soon as Brett Moser ties his shoes and walks on the football field it's game on," he said.

Moses Lake led 14-7 at intermission, but the Blue Devils were able to tie the game once again when Zehner connected on a deep touchdown pass early in the third.

After Moser scored his second touchdown of the day on a sweep to the left, the Blue Devils again answered with Zehner's third touchdown pass to tie the game for the third time at 21-21.

"That kid's a good quarterback, put the ball on the money a lot of times," Griffith said. "They had a good game plan against the defense, but the defense all in all played good."

With time winding down in the fourth quarter Moses Lake took the lead on a 32-yard Rehn Riley field goal, but Walla Walla again answered with a field goal of there own to push the game to overtime.

The Chiefs opened overtime on the 25-yard line and after a short series Riley drilled another kick from 31 yards out to put Moses Lake ahead 27-24.

Walla Walla took over and almost pulled off the win after a pass interference penalty by the Chiefs set up Walla Walla with good field position, but a rushing touchdown was called back on a holding penalty.

Soon after, Moser intercepted a Zehner passed to seal the win for the Chiefs.

Moses Lake opens league play Friday against Eisenhower 7 p.m. at Lions Field. Eisenhower is 1-0 after defeating Wenatchee 27-21 Friday.