Central Out For Revenge At Whitworth
For the Central Washington Wildcats last year, the avalanche started in their 28-27 home loss to Eastern Oregon and it was a downhill ride from there.
Although EOC forfeited that contest for using two ineligible players, irreparable damage had been done to Central.
And maybe one of the lowest points came when Whitworth smashed the Wildcats 44-36 at Ellensburg.
Today at 1:30 p.m., the Wildcats have the opportunity to avenge that loss when they take on the Pirates at the Pine Bowl.
CWU went on to finish 5-4, but without the forfeit would have suffered its first losing season since 1980.
CWU coach Jeff Zenisek said there has been a change in the Wildcats’ attitude since last season.
“Last year we came in thinking that we could just show up and beat people. We got demoralized for it.”
Last week at Kennewick, Central leveled its record at 1-1 with a 21-16 win over Willamette.
Quarterback Jon Kitna completed 22 of 37 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns but had three interceptions. Kitna passed the 200-yard barrier for the 23rd time in his career while becoming the Columbia Football Association’s second 8,000-yard career passer (8,203 total).
The Pirates (1-0) are coming off a 21-17
season-opening win at Eastern Oregon. First-year coach John Tully was pleased with the Pirates’ effort.
In spite of fumbling the ball away four times, Whitworth kept a bigger and explosive offensive team in check.
“We can’t make those same mistakes against Central Washington because they are big and fast and will make you pay the price for your mistakes,” Tully said.
In the past, Whitworth’s defense has been it’s offense. But Tully and second-year defensive coordinator Chirs Casey have changed that.
Enough so Zenisek is concerned.
“Most of their experience is on the defense. They showed that last week. It will be hard to establish a running game against them, which is something we need to do,” he said.
Notes
Former Whitworth football players Les Hogan, Doug Long, Dennis Spurlock and Vern Tucker, will be inducted into the school’s Heritage Gallery hall of fame before today’s game. The induction will take place following an 11:30 a.m. luncheon. The inductees or their representatives will be introduced at halftime.
, DataTimes