MOSES LAKE — The Moses Lake Chiefs will head into Friday night’s cross-divisional playoff game against the Walla Walla Blue Devils with their defense playing some of the best football in years.

The Chiefs defense is more experienced and vastly improved compared to last season’s squad.

Moses Lake gave up more than six yards per play last season on their way to having the Columbia Basin Big Nine Conference’s 11th ranked defense.

When the Chiefs travel to Borleske Stadium in Walla Walla, Wash., Friday night to do battle with the Blue Devils in a rematch of last season’s cross-divisional game, Walla Walla may be in for a bit of a surprise. 

Moses Lake fell 34-13 to Walla Walla at Lions Field last season when the Blue Devils capitalized on the Cascade Division’s second-ranked offense to eliminate Moses Lake from a possible trip to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association 4A playoffs.

The venue for the cross-divisional game isn’t the only thing that has changed since the last meeting between the schools, so has Moses Lake’s defense.

Moses Lake’s defense older, wiser and more experienced than it has been in years past and they have the statistics to prove it.

The Chiefs have been impressive on the defensive side of the football, improving from 11th in 2008 to second in 2009.

Moses Lake is allowing just fewer than 215 yards per game this season and are tied with Kamiakin for allowing the fifth fewest points in the conference over the course of the season.

Moses Lake’s defensive turnaround is a credit to leadership from returning All-Columbia Basin Big Nine Columbia Division selections.

The Chiefs have returning all-conference players at all levels of the defense.

The defensive line is anchored by returning honorable mention selection and senior Kyle Palmer.

Palmer and the Moses Lake defensive line are partly responsible for Moses Lake’s improved run defense.

The Chiefs gave up 1867 yards rushing a year ago and with Palmer and junior Kabe Fluaitt plugging holes on the defensive line, the Chiefs have allowed just 834 yards of the ground.

While Palmer and Fluaitt anchor a defensive line that has helped keep opponents to a little more than 100 yards rushing per game, senior Colton Messer leads a linebacking group which may be among the conference’s best.

Messer, a 2008 second-team All-Columbia Basin Big Nine Columbia Division selection, leads a group of linebackers which has held opponents to just 18.5 points per game. Messer is joined at linebacker by fellow senior Elliot Dano and junior Brian Chamberlain.

Chamberlain, Dano and Messer have helped the defensive line stop the run and the secondary improve defending the pass.

Moses Lake gave up 1475 yards through the air in 10 games last season, and the Chiefs secondary has only allowed 879 yards in eight games.

The Chiefs secondary is led by senior and 2008 All-Columbia Basin Big Nine Columbia Division honorable mention selection Randy Koon.

Koon finished the 2008 season with tied for fourth with three interceptions and his ability to cover receivers in the secondary has opened the door for fellow defensive back and junior Matt Franz to shine in the secondary. Franz is contributing in 2009 in much the same way Koon did in 2008.

Franz is tied for fourth in the conference with three interceptions this season. Koon finished tied for fourth with three interceptions last season.

While Moses Lake has showed significant improvement throughout the defensive line, linebackers and secondary, Moses Lake will face a tough Blue Devils offense Friday night.

Walla Walla enters Friday night’s contest with the conference’s second-ranked offense.

While Moses Lake is effective stopping both the pass and the run, Walla Walla is effective at moving the ball through the air and on the ground.

The Blue Devils are averaging more than 350 yards of total offense this season and Moses Lake will need stay consistent Friday night if they hope to improve on last season’s result when these teams met.