Improved U-Hi wary of Mt. Spokane’s talent

In the movie industry, sequels many times are much lesser products than the original.

In the case of the football rematch between University and Mt. Spokane, Titans coach Bill Diedrick hopes that doesn’t hold true. The teams face off in the first game of the doubleheader at Albi at 5:30 p.m. Friday in a State 3A first-round game.

The teams met in the fifth week at U-Hi with the Wildcats winning 42-23.

In the game, Mt. Spokane junior utility back Tyler Green scored touchdowns five different ways. He returned a kickoff, returned an interception, threw a TD pass, caught a TD pass and rushed for a score.

The Wildcats led 14-10 after the first quarter and the score held through halftime. Two quick scores in the third quarter allowed Mt. Spokane (9-1) to open a comfortable 28-10 lead.

U-Hi (6-4) has reeled off five straight wins since the loss and goes into the rematch playing as well as it has all season.

“We know we’ve got our hands full,” Mt. Spokane coach Mike McLaughlin said. “They’ve improved. They’re on a roll. It’s always harder to beat a team a second time.”

The Wildcats had some defensive issues in their 62-35 win over Kennewick last Friday. They had difficulty defending U-Hi running back Jory Zettle in the first matchup when he gained 227 yards and scored two TDs.

“He’s quicker than he looks,” McLaughlin said.

Mt. Spokane played as well as it has all season last week. McLaughlin hopes his team doesn’t get into a track meet with U-Hi.

Diedrick has been pleased with his team’s growth, capped by a 21-6 win at Eastmont last Friday.

“Defensively, we’ve got to go out and do what we can do,” Diedrick said. “They’ve got a lot of talent,” Diedrick said. “You make a mistake and they’ll make you pay for it with a big play, and a lot of times that big play is a touchdown.”