It wasn't pretty, but Wenatchee earned its first victory against a Big-9 opponent since the COVID-affected season in the spring of 2021. The Panthers took advantage of 5 Eisenhower turnovers to beat the Cadets 17-8 Friday night at Lee Bofto Field at the Apple Bowl.
Grant Olson and Eric Granstrom had the call on the NCWLIFE Channel...
The game featured 11-punts between the two teams and 162-yards in penalties. Eisenhower drew first blood with 6:18 remaining in the first half on a 19-yard scoring strike from Moses Spurrier to Aaron Culler. The extra point was wide left, so the Cadet lead was 6-0.
Wenatchee got on the board in the third quarter following a 40-yard punt by Juan Rios that pinned the Cadets at their own 1-yard line. On the ensuing play, Spurrier mishandled the snap, dropping it in the end zone. The Panther's Charlie Jorgensen recovered it for a touchdown. The PAT by Alex Sanchez gave Wenatchee a 7-6 lead with 7:21 left in the third.
Ike fumbled the ball away on the 2nd play of its next possession, giving Wenatchee the ball at the Cadet 22-yard line. Sanchez connected on a 27-yard field goal with 2:44 left in the quarter to give Wenatchee a 10-6 lead.
Following Eisenhower's next possession, Sanchez missed on a 37-yard field goal attempt, giving the ball back to the Cadets on the 20 with 9:45 remaining in the game. 9-plays later, Aiden Babst stepped in front of a Spurrier pass and intercepted. Wenatchee went on to score moments later on a beautifully executed screen pass from Jackson Bishop to Rivers Cook from 41-yards out, giving the Panthers a 17-6 lead.
Wenatchee once again stopped Ike on downs in the closing moments and tried to run out the clock. The Cadets used their remaining timeouts, forcing the Panthers to punt from their own 19-yard line. Rios accidentally punted the ball into the back of his protector, causing it to carom into the end zone where Jorgensen fell on it for an Ike safety, bringing the final score to 17-8.
The victory was Wenatchee's first, true Big-9 win since October 25 of 2019 in a 28-0 win over Sunnyside. The Panthers improved to 1-3 on the season and will face Moses Lake next Friday.
W - Anthony Martinez 16-79, Jake Devereaux 9-17, Jack Fluegge 5-7, Jackson Bishop 4-(-25), Charlie Jorgensen 1-(-19)
E - Greysen Sartain 10-7, Moses Spurrier 9-22, Judah Oldenkamp 1-(-12)
W - Devereaux 6/8-65-0-0, Bishop 1/7-41-1-0
E - Spurrier 18/30-193-1-1
W - Aiden Babst 4-49, Mason Galvin 1-10, Rivers Cook 2-47-1
E - Javon Davis 9-81, Oldenkamp 1-13, Aaron Culler 2-22-1, Nehemiah Garcia 5-58, Larson 1-3
W - 10-112, E - 7-50
In other Big-9 play, Eastmont had no trouble with a road trip to Yakima, downing Davis 41-0. Moses Lake edged Central Valley 25-22. Sunnyside beat up West Valley 41-20.
Cashmere lost for the first time this season among Caribou Trail League teams in action. The Bulldogs fell to Toppenish 34-19. Quincy beat Brewster 33-6. Omak stopped Deer Park 26-21. Chelan cruised past Oroville 55-13. Cascade clobbered Granite Falls 63-0.
In Central Washington B-League play, Manson topped Highland 48-13. Waterville-Mansfield beat Bridgeport 66-nothing. Liberty Bell cemented Concrete 54-12. Lake Roosevelt edged Liberty (Spangle) 18-7. Okanogan took care of Jenkins (Chewelah) 34-7.
Coming up today, Tillamook plays at Tonasket at 12:30 while Entiat hosts Quilcene at 2.
Ephrata lost a heartbreaker in CWAC play to East Valley 29-28. Ellensburg shut out Grandview 39-0. Othello smothered Selah 70-7. Coming up today at 3 o'clock its Prosser hosting Aberdeen.
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