Ephrata routs Wapato in front of 1987 title team
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Ephrata wide receiver Jake Oxos scores his second touchdown against Wapato.
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Ephrata receiver Chase Lus eludes Wapato defender Damien Travis.
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Ephrata running back Leeland Burleson stiff arms Wapato defender Michael Martinez.
Connor Vanderweyst/Columbia Basin Herald Ephrata wide receiver Chris Walker sprints to the end zone against Wapato.
EPHRATA — It was the first home game of the season at Kiwanis Field and the 1987 state championship team was in the house.
The Tigers were ready to showcase their talent.
Zac Berryman threw five touchdown passes and Ephrata pounded Wapato 52-6.
“We wanted to impress those guys a little bit,” Berryman said.
Berryman impressed early and often. The converted wide receiver making just his third start at quarterback hit big play after big play, on the ground and through the air. On Ephrata’s opening drive, Berryman kept the ball on a read option and scampered 33 yards, which set up a six-yard touchdown pass to Hunter James.
Berryman and his receiving core were far from finished.
Berryman found three different receivers for three touchdowns of over 45 yards. Jake Oxos made a spectacular one-handed catch and ran 47 yards to the end zone, Chris Walker caught a ball in stride and went 51 yards and Chase Lus converted a third-and-10 into points after scoring from 54 yards out.
“I think it’s great for him (Berryman) to be able to move around and make plays through the air,” head coach Jay Mills said. “We knew he could make plays with his feet, but to see the passing game come together and him do stuff through the air was great.”
Ephrata scored touchdowns on its first five drives to open a 35-0 halftime lead.
Wapato had a shot at points just before intermission, but a 30-yard field goal attempt was blocked by state tournament heavyweight wrestler Efrain Bedolla.
Dejuan Davis, the bright spot in the Wolves’ offense, erased the shutout after freeing himself on a wheel route to score a 33-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Davis caught three of Wapato’s four completed passes for 52 yards.
The starters got a rest after a six-yard rushing touchdown by Leeland Burleson gave the Tigers a 39-point lead.
Seth Elliott connected with Lus for a 41-yard touchdown to enact the running clock.
Ephrata hosts 2016 state semifinalist Ellensburg on Friday. The Bulldogs have yet to win a game this season after playing reigning 1A champ Royal, 1A runner-up Connell and Central Washington Athletic Contender Selah the first three weeks.
“I think we keep rolling,” Berryman said. “I think we’ll be fine, just keep working hard at practice. My receivers are doing a good job getting open even against tougher competition. I think we’ve got a good receiving core and it’s easy to throw to open guys. Makes my job easy.”
Score by quarters
E — 14 21 10 7 52
W — 0 0 6 0 6
Scoring
E — James 6 pass from Berryman (Benthem kick)
E — Oxos 47 pass from Berryman (Benthem kick)
E — Walker 51 pass from Berryman (Benthem kick)
E — Lus 54 pass from Berryman (Benthem kick)
E — Oxos 12 from Berryman (Benthem kick)
E — Benthem 37 field goal
W — Davis 33 from Jose Acevedo (2-point failed)
E — Burleson 6 run (Benthem kick)
E — Lus 41 from Elliott (Benthem kick)
Coeur d’Alene 35, Moses Lake 7
COEUR D’ALENE — Moses Lake struggled early against Idaho 5A power Coeur d’Alene and lost 35-7.
The Vikings went up 35-0 before the Chiefs scored a defensive touchdown late.
Quincy 49, Grandview 28
GRANDVIEW — Quincy led 35-12 at halftime against Grandview and won comfortably 49-28.
Ben Williams returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and Tyson Thornton recorded touchdowns on the ground and through the air.
Royal 61, Warden 3
WARDEN — Sawyer Jenks threw three touchdowns and Royal continued its dominance, beating Warden 61-3.
The Knights won their 30th game in a row and have outscored opponents 138-3 this season.
Alonso Hernandez and Lorenzo Myrick rushed for one and two touchdowns, respectively.
Warden scored its field goal when a fumble set the Cougars up deep in Royal territory. Jonathan Jaime hit from 34 yards.
Wahluke 66, Columbia 44
MATTAWA — Wahluke won its league opener over Columbia 66-44.
Northwest Christian 24, Lind-Ritzville/Sprague 18 (OT)
RITZVILLE — Lind-Ritzville/Sprague took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter but succumbed to Northwest Christian 24-18 in overtime.
Mason Brausen scored twice on the ground.
Northwest Christian’s Silas Perreiah scored on a 25-yard touchdown run in overtime to win the game for the Crusaders.
Manson 28, Soap Lake 6
SOAP LAKE — Manson led 21-0 after three quarters and beat Soap Lake 28-6.
Klayten Northup rushed for 53 yards and the Eagles’ lone touchdown.
Almira/Coulee-Hartline 40, Touchet 8
TOUCHET — Almira/Coulee-Hartline scored the game’s first 40 points and beat Touchet 40-8.
The Warriors led 32-0 at halftime.
Maguire Isaak accounted for three total touchdowns.