Nighthawk season boils down to Cardinal clash

Tekoa/Oakesdale/Rosalia gridders have one last, long shot at extending their season as they face SE 2B leader Waitsburg/Prescott Friday night at Oakesdale.

“We’ve just put ourselves in a pretty big hole,” said TOR Coach Ken Lindgren. “And it’s going to be tough to dig out of against those guys. That’s a hard-hitting football team.”

The Nighthawks last week missed their shot at wrapping up a spot in the SE-NE crossover round when they fell 28-37 to Tri-Cities Prep last Friday at Pasco.

The Jaguars, who had not won in their first season of 2B play, used an aerial assault and took advantage of a disparity in penalty calls to down TOR.

Southeast 2B League Standings

Wait./Pres. 4-0 8-0 213-70

DeSales 3-1 5-2 290-167

Asotin 2-2 3-3 178-230

TOR 1-3 3-4 151-146

Dayton 1-3 1-6 58-237

Tri Cit. Pr. 1-3 3-4 223-211

Other Scores: DeSales 70- Dayton 30, Waitsburg/Prescott 28- Asotin 8.

TCP quarterback Evan Whitsett returned from a broken collarbone to hang 362 yards and four touchdowns on the Nighthawks.

“We knew they had some big weapons, and we didn’t stop them from using them,” said Lindgren, referring to the Jaguar’s pair of star wide receivers.

Jameson Pederson pulled in seven of Whitsett’s passes for 157 yards and two TDs. Troy Redmann caught three balls for 106 yards and a score.

TCP also netted penalty yards. The Jags were flagged for one five-yard penalty; the ‘hawks were flagged 13 times for 122 yards.

“They (referees) have a tough job. I don’t envy them at all,” said Lindgren. “I do wish there would have been a little more consistency in their calls, though.”

Lindgren also pointed Nighthawk blockers missed a few key assignments that could have changed the flow of the game.

“It’s on us. The game is on us. We did not execute,” said Lindgren.

The loss dropped the TOR record to 1-3 in league play and 3-4 overall. TCP improved to 1-3 in league, 3-4 overall.

Nighthawks will need to book an upset when undefeated Waitsburg/Prescott arrives at Oakesdale Friday. Now 8-0 and ranked fourth in the state, WP topped Asotin 28-8 Friday.

The game will be played on the Oakesdale field before a packed Senior Night crowd.

“Right now, if we win, we’re in the hunt,” said Lindgren. “So it’s up to our seniors. We’ve asked them all season, what are you going to give? How do you want to be remembered? Now is their chance.”