TOR looks to clinch SE2B title at DeSales

Asotin’s Panthers ran back the opening kick-off 86 yards for a touchdown against Tekoa/Oakesdale/ Rosalia Friday night, keying up a dominant retaliatory attack from the Nighthawks.

“I was not very happy,” Coach Kaleb Madison said of the opening score.

The Nighthawks responded to the opening Panther score by holding the Asotin attack to 75 total yards of offense in a 22-6 rout in the SE2B league match-up on the Panther’s home field.

Madison credited his defensive line for again turning in a stellar game in shutting down the typically potent Panther offense.

“It all starts with that D line,” he said. “Those guys just do a great job of rushing hard and just blowing up the play.”

TOR earned the winning points off a trio of touchdown passes from quarterback Ryan Maley to halfback Craig Nelson. The two hooked up on scoring shots of 21, 12 and five yards.

Nelson reeled in nine balls out of the backfield for 95 receiving yards and added 136 yards rushing on 16 carries.

“He’s a great athlete. There’s just no other way to say it,” said Madison. “I’m just glad he’s on my team.”

Maley hit 17 of 28 passes for 158 yards.

Madison pointed to Clay Shelton, Zane Brown and Micah Pittsley for holding their positions in shutting down the Panther offense.

TOR next travels to Walla Walla Friday to face DeSales. A win gives the Nighthawks a perfect 5-0 record in SE2B play and would seal the ‘hawks the league title before they enter a pair of non-league play against 1A schools, Mabton and Lakeside.

“Every game’s a championship, like I’ve said all along,” said Coach Madison. “In this case, though, it truly is.”

DeSales had a bye last week.

In other SE2B scores from last weekend, Waitsburg/Prescoot blanked Datyton 39-0 and Tri-Cities Prep topped Mabton 44-0.

Elfers finishes

3rd at NE race

Jackson Elfers of Colfax finished third Tuesday in the NE run at Davenport with a time of 18:57. Winner was Hunter Olsen of St. George’s who led a field of 43 runners with an 18:27.

Brock Morgan placed 18th for Colfax with a 20:48.