Inchelium Banged Up For Semis

As if facing Touchet isn’t troublesome enough, Inchelium must do so at less than full strength.

Hornets leading rusher Casey Finley is expected to miss Saturday’s 1 p.m. State B-8 semifinal at Ritzville against defending champion Touchet (10-0).

Finley, a junior who rushed for 1,000 yards this year, dislocated his elbow during last Friday’s 32-24 playoff win over St. John-Endicott. Finley’s doctor recommended rest for 7-10 days, so Finley may be eligible if Inchelium (8-1) wins and advances to the Gridiron Classic in Tacoma.

“(Finley’s) handling it pretty good,” said Hornets coach Ron Washington. “He’s mature enough to realize it’s part of the game. “

Joe Pakootas, who rushed for 119 yards and scored two touchdowns against SJE, will start in Finley’s place.

The Hornets need a top effort against Touchet, which beat Inchelium 63-24 in a 1994 semifinal.

“We knew going in that we would be a strong, competitive team with the kids we had returning,” said Wayne Dickey, who also coached the Indians to the ‘79 state title.

“I think the kids are excited about playing Touchet again, with the opportunity to redeem themselves a bit,” Washington said.Touchet tuned up for Inchelium by toppling Odessa 74-32. The Indians held Odessa scoreless in the second half.

Touchet has played in four semis and won every one. The Hornets are playing in their fifth semi since 1983.

The Indians placed 12 (of 18) on the Southeast all-league team. Honored both ways were quarterback/defensive back Mike Adams, running back/linebacker A.J. Trejo, and linemen Ben Espinoza and Dan Carlisle. All are seniors.

Inchelium’s all-league players are offensive guard Billy Evans, defensive ends Mike Finley and Brandon Sutton (also the kicker), nose guard Jason Schumacher and defensive back Clint Desautel.

, DataTimes