Mavericks dominate in 40-0 win over Eastmont

MOSES LAKE – From the opening kickoff to the final whistle, Moses Lake dominated in Friday night’s shutout win over Eastmont, snapping a two-game loss streak to the Wildcats with a 40-0 win on Lions Field. 

The Mavs lost to the Wildcats in 2022 on a desperation pass as time expired and were defeated last year in East Wenatchee 35-8. 

“It’s a great matchup,” Moses Lake head coach Brett Jay said. “They’re well-coached, they’re committed to their program. We got them in (2021), they got us the last two years and we got them this year. They’re going to see our best football and we’re going to see their best football. It’s a blast to play them.” 

Moses Lake set the tone early in Friday’s win, forcing three consecutive Eastmont three-and-outs that the Maverick offense then turned into scoring drives; the first two drives began in Eastmont territory following short punts by the Wildcats. 

The first touchdown of the night came on a seven-yard reception by junior Grant Smith on fourth down. 

“I just ran a slant and caught it right there in the open,” Smith said. “Took a little hit, but got right up.” 

The decision to go for it on fourth down stemmed from recent success in those situations, Jay said.  

“If you look back over the past however many weeks, our third- and fourth-down completion ratio is up, so it’s nice to have that,” Jay said. “Brady’s putting it on guys in tight windows. Character is always revealed on Friday nights, and you want to build it up all week long for those moments.” 

Following Smith’s touchdown, the Mavs got into the end zone three more times throughout the first half; a 13-yard reception by junior Carter Anderson, a nine-yard catch by Smith and a three-yard run by sophomore Elijah Burns. 

Eastmont didn’t gain a first down until midway through the second quarter. 

“We all know defense wins championships,” Jay said. “Coach Jeff Muai is our defensive coordinator, and our defensive staff put together a phenomenal game plan against a very tough and coached-up Wing-T Eastmont team. It was really nice to see a game plan put forward and the players execute the game plan. Proud of that side of the ball.” 

Moses Lake scored touchdowns on six of its 10 full offensive drives Friday night, and only punted once. Senior Tommy Ransom Jr. scored two touchdowns in the second half. 

“For us, it’s play the next play and (take it) one rep at a time,” Jay said. “It’s what we live by, because you might have a great play the play before, or you might have a bad one, but the only thing that matters is the next one. Playing great teams like Eastmont, it takes all 11 for four quarters.” 

Burns led the Mavericks in rushing, totaling 177 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries while adding 55 yards on five catches through the air. Smith totaled 117 yards and two touchdowns on seven grabs. 

“You’ve just got to keep pounding your feet,” Burns said. “Can’t go down, just keep driving forward.” 

Last week against Post Falls, Burns set a program record for most catches in a game with 14, totaling 151 receiving yards. The previous record was 11. 

“Elijah Burns is a very tough kid, and he can do multiple things whether we run him like (Friday night), or whether we throw to him like a week ago, depending on what we need from him,” Jay said. “... He’s just versatile, he’s a big-time player.” 

The Maverick defense held Eastmont to 138 total yards on Friday night and forced three turnovers; a fumble recovered by senior Cylar Meseberg in the second quarter and two fourth-quarter interceptions off deflected passes by Anderson and sophomore Trenton Vasquez. 

“Setting the edge was pretty good, I think we – safeties, corners – all got downhill on the run and read pass when there was,” Smith said. “We were pretty good on setting the edge.” 

Moses Lake’s quick-passing offense frequently targeted the flats Friday against the Wildcats, gaining 420 yards of offense. 

“It depends on what the defense gives us, and it depends on what kind of pressure we’re seeing,” Jay said. “Some games it’s more downfield, some games it’s more lateral and some games we run more – that’s what’s nice, is we’ve got a bunch of selfless dudes that just want to be on top at the end of the night.” 

Moses Lake travels to West Valley (Yakima) on Friday night. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. 

Box Score 

ESTM: 0-0-0-0 0 

MSLK: 14-12-7-7 40 

    Moses Lake sophomore Elijah Burns (23) ran for 178 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in Friday’s win over Eastmont.
  

    The Maverick defense sets up for a play against Eastmont on Friday night. Moses Lake held the Wildcats to 138 total yards in a 40-0 win.
  

    Moses Lake senior Tommy Ransom Jr. keeps his feet in bounds for a nine-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter of Friday’s win over Eastmont. Ransom Jr. caught two touchdowns in the win.