BASIN SPORTS RECAP: Mavs tackle Tigers, Warriors swat Hornets and more
The MLCA/CCS Lions defeated Bridgeport at home on Saturday, winning in the program’s first game.
IAN BIVONA/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Moses Lake and Ephrata met on Lions Field on Friday, with the Mavericks capturing a 58-3 win over the Tigers to open the season.
Othello girls soccer opened the year with a win, defeating Connell 9-1 at home on Saturday afternoon.
COLUMBIA BASIN — The fall sports season began Friday with 10 football games, as well as two girls' soccer teams seeing their first action on the field. Read along for a full recap on how teams fared in the opening weekend of the 2023-24 year.
Almira/Coulee-Hartline
Football
The Warriors forced five turnovers and limited Oroville (2B) to under 200 total yards in a 50-18 win over the Hornets on the gridiron Friday, where five different ACH players scored touchdowns in the win. Senior Jaxon Baergen and junior Carter Pitts both scored twice in the win, and the Warriors totaled 262 rushing yards. ACH travels to Entiat on Friday, kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Ephrata
Football
The Tigers fell on the road to Moses Lake (4A) on Friday night, a 58-3 game in favor of the Mavericks. Ephrata’s lone score of the game came on a 35-yard field goal by senior Eric O’Neel. Ephrata hosts Quincy on Friday at 7 p.m. in the Battle of the Basin.
Girls soccer
Ephrata netted a win in its first game of the year, a 5-2 road victory over Cascade (Leavenworth) on Saturday. The Tigers will play Okanogan at home Tuesday, Cashmere on the road Thursday and Royal at home Saturday this week.
Lind-Ritzville/Sprague
Football
The Broncos began the season with a strong win, defeating league opponent Colfax 49-14 on the road Friday night. LRS will now prepare for its home opener, hosting Liberty (Spangle) on Friday at 7 p.m.
Moses Lake
Football
The Mavs scored on each drive that their starters were on the field Friday, totaling in a 58-3 win over the Ephrata Tigers on Friday night at Lions Field. Sophomore quarterback Brady Jay threw for 263 yards and six touchdowns in the win, and senior Kyson Thomas returned both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown. Moses Lake travels to Kamiakin on Thursday, kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Girls soccer
Moses Lake opened the season on the road against East Valley (Yakima) on Friday, a 6-3 loss to the Red Devils. Up this week for the Mavs are a road game against Lewis & Clark on Tuesday and the home opener against Mead on Saturday at 1 p.m.
MLCA/CCS
Football
The Lions won their first football game in program history Saturday, a 52-38 win over Bridgeport at Lions Field. Senior quarterback Rubin Ulyanchuk accounted for seven touchdowns in the win, helping MLCA/CCS overcome a 10-point halftime deficit. Up next for the Lions is a home game against Pateros on Friday at Lions Field. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Othello
Football
The Huskies took down rival Connell (1A) in the opening game of the season, a 27-20 win over the Eagles on Friday. This week, Othello travels to Royal (1A) for a 7 p.m. kickoff against the Knights.
Girls soccer
Also playing against Connell, Othello racked up a win in its first game of the season, winning 9-1 over the Eagles on Saturday afternoon. After a road game against Quincy on Tuesday, the Huskies host Shadle Park on Thursday at 6 p.m.
Quincy
Football
The Jackrabbits fell 42-14 to East Valley (Yakima) (2A) in their season opener Friday, despite holding a 14-7 lead after the first quarter of action. The Red Devils scored 28 unanswered points to close out the first half, later adding another touchdown in the fourth quarter to wrap up their 42-14 win. Quincy travels to Ephrata on Friday for the Battle of the Basin, kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Royal
Football
The Knights opened the 2023 season with a home win against Toppenish, defeating the Wildcats 35-7 on Friday night. Royal quarterback Lance Allred threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns in the win, two of which went to receiver Case Christensen in the third quarter, and added another 166 yards and two touchdowns in the run game.
Girls soccer
Royal traveled across the Cascades for a matchup with Puyallup (4A), falling 8-0 to the Vikings in a non-league contest. Up next this week for the Knights is a home game against Naches Valley at 6 p.m. on Thursday and a road game against Ephrata on Saturday at 11 a.m.
Soap Lake
Football
Soap Lake began its season at home against Wilbur-Creston-Keller on Friday, falling 60-18 to the Wildcats. Leading the Eagles in the run game was senior Kaleb Weaver, who rushed five times for 81 yards and a score. Weaver also intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown in the loss. Kick returner Trey Landdeck returned one kickoff for a touchdown against the Wildcats. Soap Lake travels to Republic for a non-league game Friday at 7 p.m.
Wahluke
Football
The Warriors fell in their first outing this season, a non-league contest against Granger (2A) with a score of 20-9. Wahluke now prepares to host Warden (2B) on Friday at 7 p.m.
Warden
Football
The Cougars were victorious in their first game of the 2023, season, defeating Granger 39-8 in a strong showing by the defense. Warden held Granger to only four completions on 18 attempts, intercepting one pass and recovering three fumbles, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Offensively, Warden totaled over 400 yards of offense in Friday’s win. This Friday, Warden travels to Wahluke (1A) for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
