The Moses Lake football team was here a year ago – gaudy offensive numbers matching a sparkling record, a good seed in the Week 10 state-qualifying round.
That’s about as far as the Mavericks want to mimic last season, which ended with a 49-20 loss to Kamiakin in a Week 10 state-qualifier.
Seventh-seeded Moses Lake hosts No. 26 Issaquah at 1 p.m. Saturday.
The Mavericks will try to end the CBBN’s state drought – no team has made it to the round of 16 since 2022 – and make their own return to the state bracket for the first time since ’21.
Complementing the pass-happy offense is a defense that has been a defense that has three shutouts and given up barely a touchdown a game this season.
Moses Lake coach Brett Jay credits first-year defensive coach Jeff Muai with helping build a defense that has the Mavericks thinking big.
Muai was the defensive backs coach for Richland’s state championship team.
Here’s a breakdown of the four state-qualifiers involving CBBN teams:
No. 29 Wenatchee (4-4) vs. No. 4 Chiawana (9-0)
Time, site: 6 p.m. Friday, Edgar Brown Stadium in Pasco.
What’s at stake: Spot in the Class 4A state bracket.
What to know: The Panthers are looking for their first state berth in six years. Michael Mahuika has had four straight 100-yard games on the ground and scored eight touchdowns in that streak. No opponent has scored more than 14 points against the Riverhawks, and they have posted three shutouts this year in a rugged Mid-Columbia Conference. Chiawana fell 37-31 to eventual champion Sumner in last fall’s semifinals.
Who has the edge: After last year’s disappointment, Chiawana has been rolling toward another deep playoff run.
No. 30 Sunnyside (4-4) vs. No. 3 Gonzaga Prep (9-0)
Time, site: 6 p.m. Friday, Bullpup Stadium in Spokane.
What’s at stake: Spot in the Class 4A state bracket.
What to know: The Grizzlies have won four straight games after an 0-4 start against a daunting schedule. A balanced offense has led Sunnyside with Derek Hansen leading the CBBN with more than 1,000 rushing yards and Julian Villanueva throwing for nearly 1,700 yards. Sam Kincaid threw for more than 1,000 yards and Jonah Keller and Jimmy Grainger combined for more than 1,000 yards to back a defense that gave up 10 or fewer points six times.
Who has the edge: Gonzaga Prep has played just one one-score game this season, and is looking to get to the quarterfinals or beyond for the fifth straight year.
No. 27 Eastmont (4-4) vs. No. 6 Sumner (6-3)
Time, site: 7 p.m. Friday, Sunset Chev Stadium in Sumner.
What’s at stake: Spot in the Class 4A state bracket.
What to know: The defending state champions started slowly, losing three of their first five games, before cruising to four straight victories, outscoring opponents 198-3. Leading Sumner’s robust ground game – more than 270 yards per game – is led by former Davis standout Lance McGee, who has rushed for 1,373, yards and 22 TDs at more than 11 yards a carry. The Wildcats, too, stich to the run, gaining more than 280 yards a contest.
Who has the edge: Sumner is rolling, offensively and defensively and will be a tough out, no matter the round.
No. 26 Issaquah (5-4) vs. No. 7 Moses Lake (9-0)
Time, site: 1 p.m. Saturday, Lions Field in Moses Lake.
What’s at stake: Spot in the Class 4A state bracket.
What to know: Moses Lake has motored through the regular season with Montana-bound quarterback throwing for nearly 3,400 yards and 59 TDs, and defense that’s pitched three shutouts and held six opponents to seven points or less. The Eagles were below .500 before closing with two wins. Issaquah’s defense, which never gave up more than 28 points in a game, will be put to the test against the wide-spread Mavericks attack.
Who has the edge: Moses Lake has been waiting to erase the disappointment of last fall, when it entered Week 10 with an 8-1 record only to fall to Kamiakin.
