Tough Irish defense derails

After tearing like a bone saw through SE2B league, Tekoa/Oakesdale/ Rosalia needed one more win to nail the league title. Instead they hit Irish steel in the form of DeSales Friday night, falling for the first time 12-38 at Walla Walla.

The Nighthawks ran into a suffocating Irish defense that held TOR to just over 100 total yards of offense on the night.

The ‘hawks aim to rebound Friday night against a 1A Mabton squad that has played down a level in the SE2B league this season.

“Sometimes a loss can set things straight,” said TOR Coach Kaleb Madison. “We get a chance to revamp some things and get ready for the next one.”

Friday, DeSales quarterback Jeremiah Cox sank the ‘hawks with four first-half touchdowns, two on the ground and two in the air, as the Irish staked a 28-0 lead at halftime.

TOR first found the scoreboard early in the third quarter when Craig Nelson intercepted Cox and returned it 68 yards for a touchdown.

Cox then led the Irish on a clock-eating drive that ended on a field goal almost two minutes into the fourth quarter.

“Our offense just couldn’t get anything started, and our defense couldn’t get off the field,” said Madison. “When your defense is on the field alot at DeSales, that makes things interesting.”

Cox threw his third TD pass in the fourth.

Nelson, whose running has powered the Nighthawks all season, capped the scoring with a one-yard plunge. The Irish held Nelson to just 17 yards on eight carries, though he did grab eight catches for 74 yards. Quarterback Ryan Maley finished 11 of 26 for 91 yards and two interceptions.

Cox ended the game 13-22 for 274 yards, though the ‘hawks did intercept three of his passes.

“We did some good things with our pass defense,” said Madison.

The loss at Walla Walla was the last league game for the Nighthawks and left them with a 4-1 league record, 6-1 overall. Now, they need the other one-loss teams in the league to beat each other up over the next two weeks to wrap the title.

“We have no idea how it’s gonna shake out,” said Madison.

DeSales now stands at 2-1 in league play, a three-way tie with Tri-Cities Prep and Waitsburg/Prescott. WP topped the Irish earlier this year. TCP travels to DeSales this week and to Waitsburg on Oct. 27. Asotin travels to Waitsburg this week before traveling to DeSales the week after.

WP bested Mabton 54-6 Friday night. TCP posted a 42-0 win over Dayton.