Mt. Spokane cruises past Rogers, 45-10

The Mt. Spokane football team didn’t mess around in its regular-season finale.

Using its game against winless Rogers as a postseason tuneup, the Wildcats started fast and had no difficulty topping the Pirates 45-10 in a 3A Greater Spokane League game Thursday at Albi Stadium.

Now Mt. Spokane (4-5) turns its attention to a play-in matchup on the road at most likely two-time state champion and third-ranked Eastside Catholic (8-1).

The Wildcats were efficient to start the game and second half. They scored on their first three possessions of the game and first three of the second half.

On the first drive of the third quarter, Wildcats’ receiver Ryan VanWert hauled in a 20-yard touchdown pass in the back of the end zone from Andrew Viehman for a 24-3 lead.

Senior running back Dillon Lionello broke off a 66-yard TD run, extending Mt. Spokane’s lead to 31-3 with 4:47 to go in the third quarter.

Lionello finished with 123 yards on 10 carries.

Rogers (0-9) put together its best drive, marching 80 yards on 13 plays. Eric McKay scored from 9 yards out to give the Pirates their first TD. The drive consumed 6 minutes, 45 seconds.

McKay led Rogers with 123 yards on 24 attempts.

The Pirates attempted an onside kick and Mt. Spokane’s Quentin Ayers alertly scooped it up and dashed 48 yards for a TD and a 38-10 lead with 9:55 remaining.

Jeremy Ross pushed Mt. Spokane’s lead to 45-10 when he scored on a 23-yard run.

In the first half, the Wildcats got things rolling early.

Sophomore quarterback Brady Hill hit reliable receiver Caleb Countryman on a 23-yard touchdown pass.

Hill followed it up with a 12-yard touchdown run.

And kicker Cody McDonald had plenty of leg on a 46-yard field goal as the Wildcats opened a 17-0 lead.

Rogers got on the board when Victor Gomez made a 35-yard field goal.

The score stood at 17-3 going into halftime.