Champion Tigers

EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers football team earned the Central Washington Athletic Conference title with a 13-0 win over the Ellensburg Bulldogs on Friday at Kiwanis Field. 

Ephrata and Othello finished with identical 5-1 conference records, but because Ephrata beat Othello earlier in the season, Ephrata took the league title. It’s the first time the Tigers have won the CWAC title outright since 1992, and Head Coach Patrick Mitchell was a little emotional when talking to the team after the game.

“I don’t think I have words,” he said.

Ephrata took a 7-0 lead on a one-yard run by running back Elijah Chavez-Mabry with 8:43 left in the second quarter, and that was the score at the half. Mitchell said Ellensburg has a formidable running game, but the Ephrata defense shut it down most of the game.

“They stepped up,” Mitchell said of the Tiger defense. “We challenged them all week with the excellent running game Ellensburg had coming in. We said, ‘Hey, it’s going to be physical, it’s going to be dirty, it’s going to be tough. And we’ve just got to own that.’ And the kids responded and did it.”

Ellensburg’s running game started working better early in the third quarter, despite some penalties, but Ephrata defensive back Walker Fulk recovered a fumble to stop the drive. On the following drive Ephrata quarterback Brady Hendrick completed a 21-yard pass to receiver Hans Roberts and ran for 17 yards for another first down. Hendricks scored the Tigers’ second touchdown on a four-yard run with 11:05 left in the game. The try for a two-point conversion failed.

“He’s a competitor and does a great job, even being a sophomore,” Mitchell said of Hendrick. “He’s cool, calm and collected. And our offensive line did a great job for him all night as well.”

Hendrick too gave credit to the offensive line.

“It’s really easy when our line does a great job up front,” he said. “They make it easy to make a hole, easy to run through, and it’s just wide open. Sometimes you have to maneuver, but that’s just the way it is. The line did an amazing job tonight.”

Friday was the last game of the regular season as well as Senior Night.

“I really wanted to do it for the seniors,” Hendrick said. “I didn’t want to lose this game.”

The state playoff qualifying rounds are coming up, and Hendrick said he’s looking forward to it.

“I just really want to keep playing, especially for the seniors,” he said. 

With the CWAC title, Ephrata earns a first-round playoff bye. The Tigers’ second-round opponent will be announced at a later date. 

Cheryl Schweizer may be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.

    Ephrata’s defense shut down Ellensburg’s running game and held the Bulldogs scoreless Friday.
  

    Ephrata running back Eric O’Neel (11) heads off-tackle against Ellensburg.
  

    Colton Klingenberg (3) navigates through the Ellensburg defense.
  

    Ephrata coach Patrick Mitchell, left, gives a play to quarterback Brady Hendrick, right, during Ephrata’s Friday win over Ellensburg.