Mistakes cost Wahluke in 48-7 loss to Zillah
Kacey Hirai, center, comes down with the pass that led to a Wahluke touchdown in the Warriors’ 48-7 loss to Zillah Friday.
CHERYL SCHWEIZER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
Wahluke quarterback Andrew Yorgeson (7) goes back to pass during the Wahluke-Zillah game Friday.
A Zillah runner goes down in the arms of the Wahluke defense in the Warriors-Leopards game Friday.
MATTAWA — Zillah took advantage of some early Wahluke mistakes and defeated the Warriors 48-7 on Homecoming night Saturday.
“Not something we expect, but that’s part of the game,” Wahluke head coach Anfernee Cortez said after the game.
The Leopards, 3-1 on the season, scored first after recovering a Wahluke fumble, then scored again on a run of about 45 yards to take a 14-0 lead with 5:08 left in the first quarter. A third Zillah touchdown was nullified on a penalty.
But the Leopards scored with 9:51 left in the first half to take a 21-0 lead. On their next possession, Zillah used a pass of about 45 yards to get to the Wahluke five-yard line, then punched the ball in for a 28-0 lead at the 8:45 mark of the second quarter. Cortez said that while Wahluke kept working, the lead was a lot to overcome.
“I think they executed well, they made plays and took advantage of some of our mistakes. I think they were a good football team,” Cortez said.
The Warriors' offense moved the ball downfield into Zillah territory, but an interception stopped that drive. Zillah then scored with about 18 seconds left in the half, missed the extra point and went into the half with a 34-0 lead.
Cortez said the second quarter showed the Warriors needed to put more emphasis on finishing the play.
“We get guys getting to where they need to be, but we don’t finish. And that was what we were kind of seeing later in that second quarter when they got some big plays on us,” he said.
Wahluke scored with the help of a 50-yard pass from senior quarterback Andrew Yorgeson to senior receiver Kacey Hirai that took the ball to the Zillah 5-yard line. Yorgeson scored on a quarterback keeper.
“That’s one thing — we’ve got a lot of younger guys, and our seniors as well, everyone on our team. They’re always working to push it,” Cortez said.
The loss drops the Warriors to 1-3. There were some lessons to take from the game, Cortez said.
“Missed tackles — I think that was a big thing for us. And then on the offensive side of the ball, I would say executing assignments is a big thing. Not just one guy, but every single guy across the line of scrimmage. That would be something we’re going to work on this week,” he said.
The Warriors play the Royal Knights on Friday at the WHS stadium. Game time is 7 p.m.
Cheryl Schweizer may be reached via email at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.
