River View knocks down Warriors 15-7
MATTAWA - Friday night’s SCAC East game with River View was more like the movie “A River Runs through It,” than a football game. But such is high school football in the Pacific Northwest.
The Wahluke Warriors had three turnovers in the red zone in losing a key matchup in the SCAC East with 15-7 decision to River View on a rain slogged home field.
Oscar Rodriguez completed 12-of-36 passes for 191 yards and ran the ball 24 yards from scrimmage to setup the Warriors (3-3, 1-3 SCAC East) only touchdown. Eli Barajas rushed 33 yards on nine carries and scored the touchdown for the Warriors, who finished with 75 total rushing yards.
“We moved the ball well. We just had the problems in the red zone where we fumbled twice and had a pass interception,” first-year coach Ryan Antos said.
The Panthers (1-4, 1-3) scored in the first quarter on a Spencer Weatherby touchdown run and again in the third quarter on a broken play when the defender fell down and Tre Sakota found Rylan Naughton on an 80-yard touchdown pass.
“I thought we played exceptional defense. Except on those two plays, we held them to little or nothing,” Antos said. “Our difficulties came when we got into the red zone and didn’t score.”
The Panthers had a say in that, sacking Rodriguez six times and interception him three times. Rodriguez finished with 191 passing and 36 rushing for 227 total yards. Jesus Cisneros caught two balls for 59 yards and Isaac Sanchez hauled in three receptions for 60.
The Panthers picked up their first SCAC East win, but the Warriors still have a chance to make the postseason with College Place, Warden and Highland remaining in the regular season.
“It’s going to be a fight to the finish, but I expect to finish strong and make the playoffs,” Antos said. “We’ve just had a couple of breakdowns, but I like the way we’re playing and the guys are getting more and more familiar with the new system.
Wahluke travels to College Place on Friday.
River View 8 0 7 0 -15 Wahluke 0007-7 RV - Spencer Weatherby run RV - Rylan Naughton 80 pass from Tre Sakota W - Eli Barajas run (Alex Valdez kick)