W-P, Colfax to battle again

Waitsburg-Prescott’s football season has been ended the past two years by the Colfax Bulldogs.

Last year’s setback was the most disappointing since it came exactly a year ago in the State 2B semifinals.

The Cardinals opened a 14-0 lead only to watch Colfax rally for a 21-14 win and advance to the state final for a second straight year.

Waitsburg-Prescott gets a chance to avenge that loss Saturday when the Cardinals (12-0) face top-ranked Colfax (11-0) at Edgar Brown Stadium in Pasco. Kickoff is at 3 p.m.

“They’ve been waiting for an opportunity to have a rematch,” Colfax coach Mike Morgan said.

Both teams graduated talented senior classes and had some retooling to do this season. But both made adjustments quickly. It’s no secret who has been at the center of W-P’s success. It’s three-year starter and senior quarterback Zach Bartlow.

Bartlow has scored nearly 50 touchdowns while throwing for more than 1,900 yards and rushing for another 1,200.

“He’s the straw that stirs the drink for them,” Morgan said.

Morgan was asked how he plans to defend Bartlow. He said he consulted some coaches in Canada and they suggested using a 12th man.

“The thing about it is once you get him in your sights it’s kind of like hunting that big buck,” Morgan said. “Anybody can shoot a 4-point buck, but man when that great big monster gets out there and you’re looking at him through your scope, your palms get sweaty and the heart rate goes up. The question is can we make the play when we have to make the play against this kid. He’s not a standing target or a broad side shot.”

W-P sold out to stop the run against Colfax last year, and the Bulldogs had to go to the air to rally. Morgan figures the Cardinals will have a similar approach Saturday.

The option has been largely responsible for Colfax’s success this season.

“Our strength is our front line,” Morgan said. “They’re going to have to stop our option to shut us down.”

Morgan sees two teams similar to a year ago but probably not as good because of the losses to graduation.

“Both teams are a tiny notch down from last year,” Morgan said.

Still, Colfax, state runner-up the last two years, wants nothing less than a third straight trip to Tacoma.

1B

The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors are in the same spot as they were a year ago before being upset 36-28 by Cusick in the semifinals.

ACH (12-0) takes on Pomeroy (10-1) in the semifinals Saturday at Edgar Brown Stadium in Pasco. Kickoff is at noon.

The Warriors have been driven all season by the sting of last year’s season-ending loss.

“That’s always in the back of our minds,” ACH coach Brandon Walsh said. “We’ve had a great season so far. If we don’t go out and play well this week you kind of forget the great season.”

ACH thought it had the makings of another outstanding year.

“We thought it could happen,” Walsh said. “We knew we had to get some kids in place that were underclassmen last year and didn’t have a lot of varsity experience. We knew we had to develop them into varsity contributors. It went how we hoped.”

Walsh didn’t have to remind his players what happened a year ago. But he’s doing so each day at practice.

“I don’t think any of them want to repeat that,” Walsh said.

The Warriors will face a Pomeroy team with two solid running backs and a capable quarterback.

“It’s the semifinals and we have a pretty good opponent to get ready for,” Walsh said. “We have to execute well on defense and tackle well. If we don’t tackle well they’re going to give us some problems.”

• In the other 1B semifinal, Odessa-Harrington (8-3) takes on Neah Bay (10-2) Saturday at Moses Lake. Kickoff is at 3.

Neah Bay knocked off top-ranked Lummi 58-40 in the quarterfinals. Lummi beat Neah Bay twice in the regular season.

O-H coach Bruce Todd is pleasantly surprised that his team is in the semifinals. Of the 20 on his roster, just one is a senior.

“I think we’ve played pretty good football the second half of the season,” Todd said. “It’s a good foundation for next year. It gives them a taste of the playoffs. Hopefully it’ll fuel our fire for next season.”