Mt. Spokane, University Defenseless
State 4A football
Defense proved to be the difference for the Greater Spokane League’s traveling teams in the first round of the State 4A football playoffs.
University came up with offense but couldn’t slow down Pasco, falling 42-21 at Edgar Brown Stadium.
Mt. Spokane struggled on both sides of the ball, losing to Walla Walla 34-3 at Borleske Stadium.
Pairings for Saturday’s games have Walla Walla, the Big Nine’s second seed, facing third-seeded Kamiakin at Borleske. League champion Pasco is home against Wenatchee in Edgar Brown.
Pasco 42, University 21
The Titans (5-5) couldn’t keep pace with the Bulldogs (9-1), but their future came up big.
Junior quarterback Brandon Frost threw for a career-high 320 yards with three touchdowns. Junior receiver-sprinter Anthony Buchanan had his most productive game with four catches for 151 yards and touchdowns of 74 and 61 yards.
But the Titans, who trailed 21-14 at intermission, were outgained 266 yards to 35 on the ground, Pasco’s Kurt Morgan rushing for 236 yards and three touchdowns.
Pasco gained 419 yards of total offense.
The Titans’ senior running back, Chris Wilkinson, shook off injury to play his final game, and GSL record-setting receiver Jake Roberts capped his career with seven catches for 84 yards and a touchdown.
University 6 8 7 0 - 21
Pasco 14 7 14 7 - 42
U-Buchanan 74 pass from Frost (kick failed P-Morgan 29 run (kick blocked) P-Shimek 1 run (Nelson pass from Shimek) U-Roberts 7 pass from Frost (Gross pass from Frost) P-Morgan 3 run (Kostoff kick) P-Niebel 22 pass from Nelson (Kostoff kick) P-Niebel 12 pass from Shimek (Kostoff kick) U-Buchanan 61 pass from Frost (Visintainer kick) P-Morgan 54 run (Kostoff kick) U P First downs 17 19 Rushes-yards 33-35 33-266 Passing yards 320 153 Passes 17-29-0 10-16-1 Fumbles-lost 1-1 1-1 Penalties-yards 3-30 8-55 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING - University: Wilkinson 11-54, Gross 3-13, Lee 4-9, Timmer 1-0, Frost 14-minus 41. Pasco: Morgan 20-236, Lamb 9-37, Nelson 1-minus 2, Shimek 3-minus 5.
PASSING - University: Frost 17-29-0-320. Pasco: Shimek 8-13-1-111, Nelson 2-3-0-42.
RECEIVING - University: Roberts 7-84, Buchanan 4-151, Renz 4-55, Hatcher 2-32. Pasco: Niebel 4-47, Ramos 3-29, Kania 2-64, Elfering 1-13.
Walla Walla 34, Mount Spokane 3
The Wildcats (6-4) ran out of gas and got run over by the Blue Devils (9-1).
Walla Walla’s big-time quarterback Andy Thompson completed 13 of 21 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another. The Blue Devils rolled up 461 yards in total offense.
Mt. Spokane, scoreless until Chris Snyder’s 46-yard field goal with just over a minute to play, generated just 132 yards of offense.
Mount Spokane 0 0 0 3 - 3
Walla Walla 6 8 7 13 - 34
WW-Thompson 1 run (kick failed) WW-Roberson 1 run (Wilkins pass from Thompson) WW-Hamlin 44 pass from Thompson (Hamlin kick) WW-Hamlin 3 pass from Thompson (kick failed) WW-Hamada 34 run (Hamlin kick) MS-Snyder 46 field goal M W First downs 8 22 Rushes-yards 26-77 37-203 Passing yards 53 234 Passes 6-18-2 13-21-1 Fumbles-lost 2-1 3-0 Penalties-yards 5-45 5-41 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING - Mount Spokane: Wilson 12-53, Swanson 5-minus 25. Walla Walla: Roberson 17-54, Holbrook 8-49, Hamada 6-53, Thompson 6-47. PASSING - Mount Spokane: Swanson 6-18-2-53. Walla Walla: Thompson 13-21-1-234. RECEIVING - Mount Spokane: Wilson 3-20, Gaston 2-31. Walla Walla: Hamlin 9-174, Roberson 2-33.