Kittitas runs past Hornets

OROVILLE – Oroville’s football team knew that Kittitas was going to run the ball.

The Coyotes ran, and ran, and ran some more, not throwing a single pass while rushing for nearly 400 yards as they downed Oroville 38-14 on Friday, Sept. 22.

It was the Central Washington 2B League opener for both teams.

Kittitas put together drives of 72 and 70 yards to open up the game, scoring on a pair of short touchdown runs.

By halftime, Kittitas (1-2, 1-0 CWL)  held a 32-0 lead, and opened the third quarter with a 12-play, 78-yard touchdown drive to build on its advantage.

The Hornets finally got things going late in the game as quarterback Luke Kindred twice connected with Tanner Smith on a pair of long touchdown passes.

The first, for 41-yards, late in the third quarter to get the the Hornets on the scoreboard.

Kindred and Smith hooked up again for 36 yards with eight seconds left.

Dustin Nigg hit both extra points.

Kindred finished 6-of-14 passing for 96 yards and no interceptions, with all but one completion going to Smith.

The Hornets struggled to get their rushing attack going. Kindred led the team with 53 yards on 10 carries, with Nigg adding 13 yards on seven carries. Kittitas outgained the Hornets 391-93 on the ground.

The Hornets (1-3, 0-1 CWL) travel to Manson (0-3, 0-1) — assuming air quality in Manson allows for football — on Friday, Feb. 28.