A roaring start

MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School Lions captured their first win on the gridiron in program history Saturday, coming from behind to defeat Bridgeport 52-38 under the lights of Lions Field.

“We were feeling really good, but the nerves were pretty high because the majority of our team had never played a tackle football game,” head coach Aaron Noble said. “There was a lot of learning to be had tonight, and yet we were excited to get out here and compete against another team. Our kids put in a lot of hard work.”

With many players on the Lions’ roster not having experience playing football, the team’s offense used the first quarter to settle in and get a feel for the game. MLCA/CCS got into the end zone for the first time early in the second quarter on a touchdown pass from senior Rubin Ulyanchuk to freshman Treyson Kast from 11 yards out.

MLCA/CCS took the lead on its next drive when Ulyanchuk threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Jonny Ferguson, who caught the ball with one hand in the end zone.

“We’re inexperienced, and it took some time to settle in, calm the nerves and just relax and play football,” Noble said. “The game gets really big when you’re new and you’ve never played, you think about so many different things. We were able to narrow our focus and execute a little better.”

Despite holding a lead in the second quarter, Bridgeport stormed back and took a 30-20 lead with two seconds remaining in the first half. MLCA/CCS scored twice and shut the Mustangs out in the third quarter, taking a 36-30 lead into the final frame.

“During halftime, Coach gave us a great speech out there and we came out there and fought our hardest,” Ulyanchuk said. “We made it happen.”

Sophomore James Robertson scored first in the third quarter, his second touchdown of the game.

“Last time I played football I was a punter, so it’s nice getting these receptions out here,” Robertson said.

The Lions opened the fourth quarter with a 15-yard touchdown run by Ulyanchuk, who scored two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter to build up the MLCA/CCS lead. The Mustangs got into the end zone midway through the fourth, but the Lions defense forced a turnover on downs on a pass breakup by Ferguson with 3:32 remaining in the contest.

Throughout the game, MLCA/CCS forced four turnovers of the Bridgeport offense and special teams.

“We made plays when we had to in every facet of the game, and that was key,” Noble said. “We made a whole lot of mistakes, but what I’m most proud about is our kids played hard and they glorified God.”

Ulyanchuk accounted for all seven of the Lions’ scores, throwing four touchdowns and running in three from 37, 15 and 28 yards out.

“It feels great, just playing with my friends,” Ulyanchuk said.

The Lions will play at home again next week, hosting Pateros at Lions Field in Moses Lake. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

Box score

MLCA/CCS: 0-20-16-16 52

Bridgeport: 8-22-0-8 38