CHELAN – The last thing the Tonasket football team needed Friday, Oct. 21 at Chelan was to get off to a slow start.

But that was exactly what happened, and the Tigers never recovered while losing the Caribou Trail League game 64-0.

Chelan (5-3, 3-1 CTL) scored three times in the first six minutes, including two returns of Tonasket fumbles for touchdowns. After a 75-yard touchdown run by reigning CTL Most Valuable Player Michael Amsel, Jr., to cap a disastrous first quarter, the Tigers trailed 42-0.

“Chelan is a very physical and fast football team,” said Tonasket coach Jay Hawkins. “It got away from us early. Two turnovers returned for TDs … is not a good way to start.”

Amsel finished with 132 yards rushing and two touchdowns on just two carries, completed 2-of-4 passes for 32 yards and another touchdown, and returned one of those early fumbles for a 41-yard touchdown.

Jeff Stedtfeld was 5-of-8 passing for 89 yards, with Roberto Juarez catching two balls for 62 yards. Austin Booker had 28 yards rushing on nine carries to lead the Tigers’ rushing attack.

The Tigers (2-6, 0-4 CTL) travel to Okanogan (6-2, 2-2) on Friday, Oct. 28. The Bulldogs, who before this season hadn’t defeated Omak since 2000, beat the Pioneers for the second time in a month on Friday, 31-14.

“We still believe we have a chance to play our best game of the season (this week),” Hawkins said.