Nighthawks blank Reardan in Kickoff start on Roos carpet

Craig Nelson’s thunder, Steven Maley’s lightning and a swarming hive of defenders pushed Tekoa/Oakesdale/Rosalia to a season-opening 22-0 shutout win over Reardan on the red turf at EWU Saturday morning.

The Nighthawks opened up the four-game slate in the WIAA Kick-Off Classic on Roos Field.

The event was moved to this side of the state this year to showcase area teams. Prior episodes have been at Century Link in Seattle.

The 2B matchup was the first of four games on an all-day slate which ended with 4A titans Ferris and Central Valley going head-to-head in the last game.

The Nighthawks booked the shutout by using a misdirection ground attack to run over the Indians in the game which paired NE and SE teams in the 2B division.

TOR Coach Kaleb Madison said the college atmosphere with a Saturday morning start on the famed red turf gave his squad an extra boost of enthusiasm.

Nelson earned star honors by using a bruising running style to rumble for 200 rushing yards on 19 carries.

Highlight came in the second quarter, when Nelson took the ball at the Nighthawks’ own 13-yard-line, shook through the Indians’ line, ran over a Reardan defensive back and rambled 87 yards for six points.

“I just saw the guy coming, and I decided to lower my shoulder and get through him,” Nelson said at halftime. “I guess I did.”

“He’s a great back, a great player,” said Coach Madison. “Craig’s got great vision, great power and great speed. Everything you look for in a young back.”

Coach Madison also pointed to Steven Maley, who he said added a quick, shifty complement to Nelson’s power running style. Maley finished Saturday’s game with 68 yards on nine carries.

Quarterback Ryan Maley completed four of six passes as the ‘hawks kept the ball on the ground in the windy stadium.

Led by the inside push of big man Max Mueller, the TOR defense blew up Reardan’s power game, with ‘hawk defenders swarming to the ball like yellow jackets to the popsicle-stained fingers of a four-year-old.

“That’s exactly the kind of defense we want to see,” said Coach Madison. “I couldn’t tell who was making any tackles because we were gang tackling on every play.”

Despite the running game and strong defense, the Nighthawks put up their share of problems. The shotgun snap that kicks off Madison’s misdirection spread offense led to 14 first-half penalties for the ‘hawks, as linemen jumped the snap calls.

“We’re working on that. Don’t worry,” Coach Madison said Tuesday.

TOR next travels to north Palouse foe Liberty for a non-league tilt this Friday before jumping into SE2B league play after that.