Confident Moses Lake figures to be in contention

The new Big Nine Conference as we know it – since the divorce from the Mid-Columbia schools – could see its most competitive football season as it enters year three.

Defending champ Wenatchee (9-3 overall last year) is a slight favorite over Moses Lake (7-4), which earned the league’s second state playoff berth a year ago. Davis of Yakima (4-6), which started just one senior last season, will mount a serious challenge.

The league expanded from five to seven teams this year with the addition of Sunnyside (formerly 3A) and West Valley of Yakima, which moves up from 2A to 4A.

Moses Lake coach Todd Griffith expects his team to be in the thick of the playoff chase.

“We have a dedicated group of 60 kids who were in the weight room all summer,” Griffith said. “It’s the best we’ve had in a long time.”

The Chiefs return their quarterback, senior Easton Castro, and senior running back Nathan Ball. In all they bring back 13 starters.

“We should be an extremely confident team,” Griffith said.