Tigers on Top

CLARKSTON – The Ephrata Tigers began their season with a 1-4 record through the first month of the season. Now, that same Tiger team is off to the 2A State Tournament after a 17-7 win over Clarkston on Friday in the District 5/6/8 Crossover.

“We played lights out on defense the whole game and held their really good passing attack in check for the most part except for one drive,” said Ephrata Head Coach Patrick Mitchell. “The kids played great and they prepared really hard all week for that moment and that atmosphere.”

A 17-point second quarter was enough for the Tigers to hold on to the win over the Bantams, who finished second in the Greater Spokane League. Ephrata quarterback/linebacker Travis Hendrick first scored on a two-yard rush and followed up with a 35-yard interception returned for a touchdown. Mitchell said that the weather tailored to the run-heavy approach of the Tiger offense.

“I think that you run heavy, you kind of develop that mentality of this is our style,” Mitchell said. “It’s not gonna necessarily always look pretty. You’re going to be in some of those closer games where you’re grinding it out on the ground and leaning on your offensive line, which we’ve done all year and our offensive line has responded to those challenges.”

Forceful winds and a wet field were present at Clarkston on Friday night.

“Looking at the weather forecast we knew that it was going to be quite miserable in terms of rain,” Mitchell said. “Right outside of Pullman, the bus was getting blown everywhere. I mean, it was nasty.”

The Tiger run game totaled 267 yards against the Bantams, with Hendrick leading the way with 146 yards and a score on 23 carries. Senior running back Nelson Barragan ran for 77 yards on 13 carries and senior Hudson Sager rushed for 49 yards on 8 carries.

“We were going in and game planning for our run-heavy game plan,” Mitchell said. “That’s what we did, and we didn’t throw the ball too many times. We just mix it up with our run plays and getting some guys on the edge.”

Two of Ephrata’s losses were by one point, first at home against CWAC-winner Othello and on the road to East Valley (Yakima). After a 1-4 start, the Tigers rode a five-game win streak to a 6-4 record.

“We had our chances in all of those games, and yeah, we got beat, but I think we knew that if we execute it a little bit better those games might have been a little bit different,” Mitchell said. “So, it was just knowing how close that we were to being a great football team.”

Under first-year head coach Mitchell, Ephrata heads to state for the first time since 2007.

“The majority of the staff has been here for a long time, and I think that continuity and their willingness to accept some of the new little changes that we made – but the foundation was there,” Mitchell said. “I think just a couple little changes, and the kids responded to that.”

Mitchell credited the mentality of the players for turning the season around.

“Our kids are mentally tough,” Mitchell said. “It’s tough to be 1-4, come back and go to the state playoffs when your season is looking like it’s in peril,” Mitchell said.

The 2A State Playoffs begin next Friday. State brackets and seeding are released Sunday at 1 p.m.

“I think you just have to take it one game at a time,” Mitchell said. “I’ve coached or been a part of staffs that have been in these positions, I think your approach is the same as any game.”

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.

Box score:

Ephrata 0-17-0-0

Clarkston 7-0-0-0 7