Wahluke football works to rebound after homecoming/senior night loss

MATTAWA — The Wahluke Warriors football team (0-2) fell in a close 14-13 home game against the Kiona-Benton Bears Friday night. The Warriors look to take this loss in stride as they head on the road for the remainder of the season. 

“Still excited for this team,” said Warriors senior Moises Antunez. “It’s barely week two so I think we can bounce back. It was a close game, mistakes here and there, but I feel good about this team. I’m not going to hold my head down; I’m going to keep it up.” 

From kickoff, the game was a tight matchup as both the Warriors and Bears defenses remained unrelenting. By the end of the first quarter the defenses were successful in holding each other off the board.  

Things picked up in the second quarter as Kiona Benton scored a touchdown and completed a two-point conversion. Wahluke gained the edge as Alejandro Cruz-Garcia put his team on the board followed by a touchdown from Moises Antunez, putting the Warriors up 13-8 at halftime. 

In honor of the homecoming/senior night game, a fireworks display was held after homecoming royalty was announced at halftime. 

The game returned to a steady defensive battle after the break as both teams struggled to get into scoring positions. Then at the end of the third quarter, the Bears claimed the lead by one with their second touchdown of the night. 

Wahluke battled hard through the fourth quarter to reclaim their lead, but the Bears defense held tight.  

In the final 30 seconds of the game, the Warriors had marched to the red zone where they faced fourth and one. Wahluke got pushed back by a false start call and unfortunately their field goal came just short. The clock ran out with a score of 14-13 in favor of the Bears. 

“Going into the game, we felt pretty good and confident,” said Warriors head coach Anfernee Cortez. “We knew it was going to be a good game and a game we’re going to have to play our best and unfortunately for us, it didn’t go how we wanted it to be.” 

He said the Warriors had properly executed their plan of running the ball and building and complimenting their run game, but mistakes toward the end cost them the game.  

Even with the errors, the coach wants to make sure his players recognize the positives that gave them the opportunity to win. 

“The fight they had to get to that point, to give ourselves that opportunity was big and that’s the stuff we always can carry into the next game,” said Cortez. “Don’t lose confidence or be down on ourselves too much because it’s a new week ahead of us and it’s time to prepare, go out there and be ready.” 

Friday’s game was a big event for Mattawa as the Warriors celebrated both their homecoming and senior night. This also marked the sole home game for the Warriors this season, which added to both the energy and the emotions felt by the players and their classmates as they celebrated together. 

“It’s amazing, man, like, it’s my last time playing on this field, I couldn’t ask for anything more with this team, the coaches and the whole community behind me,” said Antunez. “I’m overwhelmed with excitement and happiness.” 

Cortez said everyone had high energy both on and off the field during Friday’s game. He felt this excitement from the community really allowed the seniors to take it all in and made it a great night for them. 

“The community did really great showing up for our team, and the school did a great job making it a really special night for our seniors,” said the coach. “For me, I feel like it was one of the best ones we’ve ever had since becoming the coach here in Wahluke.” 

With a high energy and close game early on in the season, Cortez said he wants his players to carry on this motivation moving forward. This team still has a lot to play for and, even though they’ll be on the road for the rest of the year, will have opportunities to create memories together for a unique season. 

“We’ve got the guys in the right mindset to put Friday night’s game behind us and focus on the next opponent, which is what I love about our team,” he said. “They’re always ready for the next thing and they always give me their best effort and that’s all I could ask for.” 

As Antunez continues through the season, the senior said he is excited to continue his passion for playing football and work alongside his teammates. With enough discipline and practice, he feels the Warriors can bounce back and find success this season. 

“I still think we’re a good football team, I think we could bounce back, it’s still early,” said Antunez. “I just want everybody to know that the whole team is behind them, every single person and we’re just going to be there every step.” 

The Warriors will face Naches Valley this Friday at 7 p.m. 

BOX SCORE 

KIBE: 0-8-6-0: 14 

WHLK: 0-13-0-0: 13 

WAHLUKE ROSTER 

Name, Jersey, Grade 

Dylan Mejia, 1, 12 

Alejandro Cruz-Garcia, 2, 11 

Yovanni Garcia Abundez, 3, 12 

Moises Antunez, 4, 12 

Ethan Moreno, 5, 11 

Carlos Zamora, 7, 11 

Michael Valdovinos, 9, 11 

Anthony Chiprez, 10, 9 

Jesus Rivera, 11, 12 

Yova Valdovinos, 12, 9 

Jaden Perez-Long, 15, 11 

Brandon Guevas, 20, 9 

Juan Valdovinos, 21, 11 

Jay Ramirez, 23, 11 

Ismael Saldivar-Tlatenchi, 24, 12 

Hector Tlatenchi, 25, 12 

Andrew Barragan-Aguilar, 28, 9 

Franco Perez, 32, 12 

Angel Lara, 40, 11 

Charley Bravo Pimentel, 45, 12 

Riley Lowell, 50, 11 

Ruben Anguiano, 52, 10 

Jacob Sanchez, 55, 11 

Juan A. Astrain, 61, 11 

JD De Jesus, 63, 9 

Ernesto Cholico-Ruiz, 64, 11 

Ramiro Gonzalez Jr, 65, 11 

Juan Guevas Jr, 68, 12 

Aldo Bucio Quintero, 70, 12 

Jaden Martinez-Barajas, 72, 10 

Joane Gallaga, 75, 12 

    Moises Antunez, a senior from the Warriors, works to push past a Kiona-Benton defender on his way for a first down Friday night.
  

    Wahluke’s quarterback Michael Valdovinos prepares to snap the ball Friday night against Kiona-Benton.
  

    The Warriors offensive line faces off against the Bears defense during Friday’s home game.
  

    Wahluke Warriors Head Coach Anfernee Cortez talks to his players in the postgame huddle Friday night.