ACH dominant first quarter leads to home win

COULEE CITY — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors (6-1) earned another dominant win at home, defeating Wellpinit 58-16 on Friday. Head coach Brandon Walsh said his players continue to improve as the season unfolds.   

“We're playing well right now. It seems like each week we get a little bit better, and players have bought into that way of thinking, and not to be satisfied with where we're at. We got off to a fast start on the first play of the game from scrimmage, and kind of rolled from there,” Walsh said.   

The Warriors started off hot in the first quarter behind a 48-yard touchdown run by Max Grindy, and after converting a two-point play, they led 8-0. On defense, Brady Roberts picked off the Wellpinit quarterback and returned the ball for 99 yards for a touchdown.   

“If he's out in the open field, he's the fastest kid on the field,” Walsh said. “He's had a hamstring that's been bothering him on and off all season long. It seems like the last two weeks, he's finally kind of over that and back to full strength.”  

The Warriors' starters continued to pile on the scores in the first quarter. In addition to Grindy, Adyn Peha, Luke Goetz and Caden Correia all found their way into the endzone to take a 43-0 lead. Wellpinit got on the scoreboard after Jacoby Flett returned a kickoff of 81 yards; after a successful two-point play, they cut the deficit to 43-8.   

In the second quarter, Roberts found himself back in the endzone but on offense this time after a 36-yard rushing touchdown. Walsh said he pulled his starters halfway through the second quarter and let some of the younger players get varsity snaps.   

Freshman junior varsity quarterback Haydon Boyd seized his opportunity and scored a 49-yard rushing touchdown. After another successful two-point play, the Warriors led 58-8 at halftime.   

“(Boyd) is a good young athlete, and it was fun to see him have some success in a Friday night game. He was pretty excited when he scored his first varsity touchdown in his career, and we're excited for some of the talent in that younger class,” Walsh said.   

The junior varsity players remained in the game the rest of the night and managed the game well, Walsh said. Wellpinit scored one more time in the fourth quarter to make it 58-16, but it was far too late for a comeback, and the Warriors earned their sixth win of the season.   

Coming into this game, the Warriors knew Wellpinit housed a team on the younger side. Walsh said his players did a good job of playing more physically and using their experience to their advantage. He said they set the tone early in the first quarter.   

Boyd led the team with 92 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries. Correia completed three of four passes for 81 yards and a touchdown through the air. Peha finished with two catches and 72 yards receiving. On defense, Evan Tipps had three and a half tackles and one sack on Friday.   

The Warriors are set up for a big challenge in their final game of the season Oct. 31, against the defending 1B state champions, Wilbur-Creston Keller on the road. Walsh said ACH has fallen short against Wellpinit in the last two seasons and respects how challenging it is to win on the road. However, the Warriors are eager to take this challenge head-on.   

“We like our chances, but we know also we’ve got to go play well. They're still the defending state champs until somebody knocks them off. We need to take care of business,” Walsh said.   

Walsh expects both teams to make plays on the ground. He said they’re a strong power-I team that can run the ball inside. The Warriors will have to be sharp in tackling and strong at the line of scrimmage, he said. He hopes they can eliminate big plays as well.   

“We'll have our work cut out for us there defensively,” he said. “They're physical and disciplined. We're going to have to be disciplined in our assignments and match their physicality.”   

BOX SCORE:    

WPNT: 8-0-0-8: 16
ACHW: 43-15-0-0: 58 

    The Almira/Coulee Hartline Warriors go head-to-head with the Wellpinit defensive line. The Warriors finished Friday’s game with 277 rushing yards.
  

    The ACH Warriors defensive line crashes in on the Wellpinit ball carrier. The Warriors’ Brady Roberts had a 99-yard pick six on Friday.
  

    Ian McWalter (55) pushes through the Wellpinit offensive line to get after the quarterback. Head Coach Brandon Walsh said the ACH Warriors have improved each week of the season.