Nighthawks bookend dominant DeSales win

Tekoa/Oakesdale/Rosalia scored first and last, but allowed DeSales to have the middle of the game to themselves Friday night in Walla Walla. The Irish posted 41-14 SE-11 win.

Nighthawk defenders picked off Irish quarterback Jeremiah Cox on the game’s first offensive play, and the offense marched down the field on a drive that ended with a five-yard scoring scamper from Joe Gaines.

“And 41 points later we got our second score,” said TOR Coach Ken Lindgren.

SE-11 Standings

Waits./Pres. 2-0 6-0 157-55

Asotin 2-0 3-1 140-132

DeSales 1-1 3-2 150-107

Dayton 1-1 1-4 22-130

Tek/Oak/Ros 0-2 2-3 86-103

TriCities Prep 0-2 2-3 179-155

DeSales controlled the remainder of the game with halfback Kyle Lindgren racking up 131 yards on 23 carries.

After his first pass was intercepted, Cox burned the ‘hawks through the air.

“We were in good position, he just kept dropping the ball in the perfect spots,” said Lindgren.

A sophomore, Cox completed 16 of his 23 passes for 227 yards.

Lindgren said ill-timed mental mistakes took the `hawks out of the game. They were flagged for only four penalties, but at crucial junctures.

Down 7-15 in the second quarter, the Nighthawk defense stopped the Irish on a drive until a TOR defender put a late hit on Cox. That extended the drive which ended with one of his four TD passes.

A roughing the punter call on the ‘hawks early in the second half renewed another DeSales drive, and Cox found Nick Wales on a seven-yard TD strike.

“You’re going to make mistakes,” said Lindgren. “But the timing of those mistakes is something you can’t afford to do against a strong team like DeSales.”

TOR ended the scoring with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Scott Eberle to Flash Hodges in the fourth.

Earl Gaines picked up 46 yards on the ground, and younger brother Joe added 38 to top the ‘hawk offense.

TOR returns home this week to face a 1-4 Dayton team that is coming off a 20-0 loss to league leader Waitsburg-Prescott.

Coach Lindgren said TOR needs a win at this week’s game to keep hopes of post-season play.

“We have got to perform this week, or we’re done,” said Lindgren.