Mavs fall to Kamiakin in state crossover

MOSES LAKE – Moses Lake’s season came to a close on Saturday, falling 49-20 to Kamiakin at Lions Field in the 4A State Crossover round. 

Moses Lake led the game 20-14 at halftime but was outscored by 35 in the second half. 

“They made a couple adjustments on defense, and that messed us up,” Moses Lake head coach Brett Jay said. “Turned it over too many times, and that just can’t happen in these situations.” 

The Mavericks and Braves traded early first-quarter scores, as sophomore Elijah Burns raced into the end zone on a long catch-and-run and junior Grant Smith caught a 13-yard touchdown to put Moses Lake up 14-7. Kamiakin tied the game at 14, but Moses Lake took a 20-14 lead into halftime after a fumble returned for a touchdown by senior Cylar Meseberg early in the second quarter. 

Kamiakin scored a touchdown to take the lead on its first drive of the second half, then added three more touchdowns in the third quarter, including an interception returned for a touchdown. The Braves added a passing touchdown in the fourth quarter to push the final score to 49-20. 

“I’m so proud of this group and what they’ve had to work through,” Jay said. “At one point, we didn’t know if we’d have sports or not – a lot of the kids would quit or transfer, (but) they just kept staying the course. I’m really proud of them for that, and we’ve got a lot of guys coming back.” 

Moses Lake finishes the 2024 season with an 8-2 record. The Mavericks won the Columbia Basin Big 9 league title for the first time since 2021.  

“Overall, I'm proud of our season,” Jay said. “We fought through a lot.” 

Kamiakin advances to the 4A State Football Tournament and will play No. 2 Sumner on Saturday. 

    Elijah Burns (23) looks for the hole in the Mavericks’ state crossover game Saturday.
  

    Moses Lake quarterback Brady Jay rolls out in the Mavericks’ loss in the state crossover game.
  

    The Moses Lake defense wraps up a Kamiakin runner.