DEMING – The Mountaineers forced four turnovers, one of which resulted in the deciding touchdowns, as Mount Baker defeated Toppenish 13-7 at Bob Tisdale Field on Friday night.
The Wildcats started out strong, and scored on a 20-yard touchdown run to cap off their second possession of the game. The extra point was good, but they were only able to manage 100 yards for the rest of the game against the suffocating Mountaineer defense.
After trading multiple punt back and forth for most of the first half, Mount Baker was able to put a strong drive together that was aided by a dazzling 19-yard end around by senior Landen Hanstead.
The play set the Mountaineers up 1st-and-goal, and two plays later junior running back Dylan Moa followed perfect blocks by seniors Alder Giarde and Bryson Moa which enabled him to cross the goal line with relative ease. Luis Zavala’s extra point knotted the game up at 7-7, which it remained until halftime.
Mount Baker was forced to punt on their opening drive of the second half, but three plays later senior cornerback Hayden Rosse read the quarterback perfectly, let his man go deep, and he broke on an out route to the slot receiver. He intercepted the pass and took it 33 yards for a touchdown to give the Mounties a 13-7 lead.
Mount Baker’s defense held strong the remainder of the game, and was led by senior defensive end Alex Maloley who had seven tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback sack. Moa racked up 11 tackles, 2.5 stops behind the line and an interception from his middle linebacker spot, while junior outside linebacker Shaun Duggar had 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery.
In addition to Hanstead’s 19-yard run to set up the early touchdown, he also caught seven passes for 90 yards and he intercepted a pass on defense.
The Mountaineers (1-2) will face a tough task next week when they travel to King’s (3-0) on Friday at 7:00.
Mount Baker 13 Toppenish 7 TOP 7 0 0 0 - 7 MB 0 7 6 0 - 13 TOP - 20 yard touchdown run (kick good) MB - D. Moa 2 run (Zavala kick) MB - Rosse 33 interception return (kick failed) TOP MB 32-102 Rush Att-Yards 38-116 6-15-3 Comp-Att-Int 12-24-0 76 Passing Yards 149 Individual Leaders RUSHING - TOP: N/A. MB: D. Moa 17-69, Bruland 8-26, Hanstead 2-17, Maloley 1-17, B. Moa 3-9, Tigilau 7-(-22). PASSING - TOP: N/A. MB: Tigilau 12-24-0-149. RECEIVING - TOP: N/A. MB: Hanstead 7-90, Bruland 2-27, Mosher 1-18, Ross 1-11, Rosse 1-3.
