MLCA/CCS looks to build off success in inaugural season

MOSES LAKE — Fresh off a 7-2 season in its inaugural year, the Moses Lake Christian Academy/Covenant Christian School football team is looking to recapture the success found in the 2023 season.

“We’re trying to be better and remake what we did last year, and improve upon it,” senior Jacob Journey said. “We don’t want to disappoint anyone – we set a high bar last year, and now we have expectations to succeed.” 

The Lions opened last season with a 7-0 mark, defeating Bridgeport, Pateros, Soap Lake, Davenport, Tekoa-Rosalia, Entiat and Oroville before suffering losses to Waterville-Mansfield and the eventual state champion Liberty Bell in the Week 10 Crossover, missing out on postseason competition.  

There’s a new challenge this year, however; the team’s roster size has shrunk from 18 players a season ago to 12 this year. 

“For 1B it’s okay, but you’d like to have another five kids, and hopefully we get those kids out eventually,” head coach Josh Kast said. 

Kast enters his first year as head coach of the Lions, taking over for former coach Aaron Noble who moved to Tennessee. 

“They really want to do a good job of building off last year’s success,” Kast said. “Coach Aaron Noble, he set a good example with them and built a good foundation with them. We’re excited about building off those successes last year, and I’m excited for them.” 

The MLCA/CCS athletic director and girls basketball coach said he brings in familiarity with this year’s players. 

“I’ve been used to coaching basketball, but I’m excited for the opportunity to work with the kids,” Kast said. “I’ve been around these boys for quite a long time – I've watched a lot of them from elementary school on up to middle school, and now high school. I have a good relationship with these kids, and I’m excited to be out here teaching them on the football field.” 

With a lower player turnout from last year, the Lions are looking to replace two starters on the offensive side of the ball and four defensive starters. In eight-man football, that means many of the players will start on both offense and defense. 

“For the most part, a lot of these kids (play) both ways – whoever's playing offense is most of the time doing something on defense,” Kast said. “With only 12 kids, we don’t have a whole lot of depth right now. That’s the one thing we’re lacking, so we’ve got to utilize everybody to the best of their abilities.” 

“They were pretty important to our team, and we have some new guys that are coming in,” senior Levi North said of the team’s departures. “Us, as seniors, we’re trying to step it up and fill that role, and we’re also trying to help those younger kids grow and get out there.” 

The Lions found success moving the ball offensively last fall, averaging 45.3 points per game in nine outings. Among the offensive returners are quarterback James Robertson, who split time at quarterback last season, receiver Johnny Ferguson, North and Journey, all of whom received all-league recognition in 2023. 

“We definitely have some athletic skill position kids to make things happen on the field, so we’ve just got to put them in the right places and make the right decisions,” Kast said. 

MLCA/CCS opens the season Sept. 6 on the road against Sunnyside Christian. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. 

“It’s a different team this year, different coaches,” senior Brandon Swinger said. “It’s really however we want to make it. If we don’t take this opportunity to do our best, it doesn’t set a good example for following years.” 

MLCA/CCS Football Schedule 

Sept. 6 – at Sunnyside Christian – 7 p.m. 

Sept. 14 – vs DeSales – 6 p.m. 

Sept. 20 – vs Tekoa-Rosalia – 7 p.m. 

Sept. 28 – vs Entiat – 6 p.m. 

Oct. 11 – at Pateros – 6 p.m. 

Oct. 19 – vs Waterville-Mansfield – 6 p.m. 

Oct. 25 – at Bridgeport – 7 p.m. 

Nov. 1 – at Soap Lake – 7 p.m. 

    MLCA/CCS players huddle up with coaches at the start of practice on Saturday. The Lions saw their roster numbers decrease from 18 to 12 this season, meaning there will be more players hitting the field on both sides of the football this fall.
  

    Lion players work on tackling drills during practice on Saturday.
  

    MLCA/CCS Athletic Director Josh Kast, in blue, will take over as head coach of the Lion football team this fall, replacing former coach Aaron Noble. Kast said he’s “excited” to build on the success the team found in its inaugural season in 2023.