New Knights grid team next on Tigercat agenda

LaCrosse/Washtucna/ Kahlotus Tigercats will travel to Burbank turf Friday to play a brand new Sunnyside Christian eight-man team. The Knights, who have rattled the state B hoop ranks in recent years, converted to football from soccer this year.

“We expect them to have some pretty good athletes. They have done well in basketball for several years,” Coach Jeff Nelson commented.

The Tigercats will make the trip after a 55-22 win over Salmon River of Riggins on the LaCrosse filed Friday. The Idaho club put a lot of size out on the grid at LaCrosse, but they couldn’t keep up with the Tigercats’ speed game.

“I think we just wore them out,” Tigercat Coach Jeff Nelson said. “We ran Garrett Blauert and Garrett Whitney all over the field, and they got tired trying to keep up with them.

Blauert and Whitney each finished with three TDs against the Savages.

Blauert finished with 250 yards on 19 carries, and Whitney rolled out 203 yards on 12 carries.

Sophomore QB Jake Aune finished 5-13 for 25 yards in his start at quarterback.

“Overall, I think our skill people did a good job. We’re working on our line and trying to get that squared away,” Nelson noted.

Salmon, led by power back Dustin Rinker, rolled up 270 yards rushing behind a big line. The Savages totaled 68 yards passing.

Coach Charlie Shepherd at the start of the second half put young Charlie Shepherd, a 5-5 freshman, into the QB slot and moved starting QB Charles Jaramillo-Swan up to the line for more blocking power, but the change didn’t make any inroads against the LWK defense which seemed to get better as the game wen along.

Tigercat Junior Chris Wargo topped the defense with 10 tackles for the night, and Blauert booked eight tackles.

After the trip to Burbank the Tigercats next week will make a long haul to Echo, Ore.