SILVERTON - All season long the Wallace football team has used a very simple formula to wear out its opponents en route to an 8-1 record: use its size to win the battles in the trenches, run the ball on offense and stop the run on defense.

In their first round state 1A Division I playoff matchup, the Miners knew their stout run defense was going to be tested against a Potlatch team that utilized a dual-headed rushing attack to wear out and dominate opponents.

In the end, the Miners' size and strength prevailed, wearing out an undersized Potlatch offensive line, and the defense held the Loggers to slightly more than 100 yards on the ground. On offense, big games from quarterback Casey McKinnon, receiver Tyler Beard and tailback Kidman Cook helped the Miners to a 52-18 opening round victory at Sather Field. Wallace will travel to the Kibble Dome to face Kendrick (9-1) next weekend in the semifinals.

"Our run defense has been great all year. They did an absolutely outstanding job of going out, getting after it and stopping their game plan. The defense had a big game today," Wallace coach Dave Rounds said. "We knew they liked to run a power running game, and we were able to contain their QB and our big guys inside really shut them down. They're a power team, but couldn't get anything going on the ground which opened things up for us."

Potlatch coach Pat Amos was surprised at how big and strong the Miners were, and was in awe that what he dubbed, "a pretty good line," could be outshone so badly. Falling behind early also posed a problem for Amos and Potlatch, because he estimates they had only thrown the ball a few dozen times all season prior to this game and was forced to try and take chunks of yards through the air.

"We knew how big and physical they were - that's a testament to their work in the weight room and in camp early in the season. They're just a real big and physical team," he said. "They beat us in the trenches all game, and it's a pretty good line too. This wasn't like they beat a mediocre offensive line; we have some talent."

The defensive front for Wallace was pivotal in keeping opposing third downs long and sacking Logger quarterback Drew Magallon six times. Potlatch enjoyed some success spreading its offense out in the third quarter, but the Miners were quick to adjust, and once they did found their way to Magallon at will. Seniors Lewey Wilburn and Andrew Brackebusch, along with the rest of the line, enjoyed one of their finest showings of the season.

"We came out and we did what we planned. Our offensive and defensive coordinators both had the kids ready and we did it," Rounds said. "We were a little worried about the fourth quarter and our guys being fatigued like they were against Superior (which scored 46 fourth-quarter points en route to a 79-46 win over the Miners), but I think we proved we can make it."

On offense, McKinnon once again led the way for the Miners, running for 118 yards and two scores and throwing for another 78 yards with three touchdown passes to Beard. Cook rushed for 199 yards and two scores while battling an illness on the sideline for much of the afternoon. The Miners accrued 24 first downs - 15 more than their opponent, and put 250 more rushing yards on the board than the vaunted Logger run game.

Things weren't perfect for the Miners. They had several unnecessary penalties, and had two interceptions returned to the Logger 2-yard line and end zone that were taken off of the board because of holding penalties. Potlatch is renowned for running the ball nearly exclusively, but the Loggers found success through the air, and Magallon still finished 11 of 19 for 168 yards and a touchdown.

The pass defense may become a bigger concern next week, when they face Kendrick, which runs an explosive spread offense.

"The Wallace-Kendrick game is going to be really interesting. They're facing a really athletic team in Kendrick, who won't be as physical but likes to spread the field and use their athleticism through passing," Amos said. "We passed the ball at most 40 times this year and we were taking chunks of yards from them, so it's scary to think about what Kendrick might do to them. That said, Kendrick doesn't have nearly the size or strength that Wallace will - so it will be polar opposites really."

Rounds agreed with Amos that his pass defense is going to need to step up against the Tigers' pass-happy offense.

"They like throwing the ball, and their quarterback is real quick, so we're going to need to work on containing him, he said. "It's definitely a concern, but we'll prepare and we'll study and we'll get ready to get at it."

Potlatch 6 0 12 0 - 18

Wallace 14 8 16 22 - 52

W - Tyler Beard 5 pass from Casey McKinnon (run failed)

P - Stephen Brent 62 run (run failed)

W - Beard 45 pass from McKinnon (Levi Lemieux run)

W - McKinnon 1 run (Lemieux run)

P - Brent 28 pass from Drew Magallon (run failed)

W - Kidman Cook 22 run (Lemieux run)

P - Magallon 29 run (run failed)

W - McKinnon 3 run (Lemieux run)

W - Beard 22 pass from McKinnon (Brock Arthun run)

W - Cook 36 run (run failed)