Wahluke improves, still falls, 50-37, in football

MATTAWA – It may seem odd to say a team is improving when it loses a football game, 50-37, but that’s how Wahluke High coach Mike Foristiere assessed things after last Friday’s loss at Cle Elum.

He was comparing this effort to opening night, when his club was decked by Zillah, 63-6. This effort required more of comeback than that. The Warriors were down, 12-0, only 42 seconds into the game.

“They stripped the ball from us on three occasions, and we gave them 24 points,” Foristire.

Wahluke came back and actually took the lead late in the second quarter, 23-20. But mistakes doomed the Warriors in the second half. “We played much better this week, and I believe that, with a young team, that is the key,” Foristiere said.

Foristiere is looking for a breakthrough this week. The Warriors will play at Burbank Friday, a team that has been down in recent years. “They run a no huddle, wide open offense, so another challenge,” Foristiere said.

Foristiere said his team improved on the defensive side of the ball.

Defense was led by Marco Guerrero, Danial Ayala and Juan Silva with five tackles each.

“Jesus Cisneros had an incredible interception,” Foristiere said.

On offense, the team ran 81 plays. There were four complete passes in eight attempts for one touchdown and a 2-point conversion.

Sophomore quarterback Tony Avalos went 1-1, 25 yards and a touchdown to Matt Yorgenson. He also had 3 carries or 27 yards.

Freshman Oscar Rodriguez went 3-7 for 22 yards and two-point conversion to Danial Tapia. Rodriguez had four carries for 45 yards and 2-point run.

Juan Silva led the rushers with 25 rushes for 164 yards and a touchdown. Rock Foristiere had 25 rushes for 115yds and a touchdown. Daniel Ayala ran eight times for 70 yards and a touchdown.

The Warriors rushed for 444 yards on 73 carries and 491 total yards.