MATTAWA - Wahluke High School stunned Highland, 27-3, in football Friday to give its homecoming crowd a pleasant surprise. It was only the Warriors second win of the year.

The Warriors returned two interceptions for touchdowns and running back Alex Chiprez scored twice in the non-league South Central A Conference cross-over game.

"Our team played one of their best games of the season," coach Brycen Bye said. "We had a great week of practice which led to a great game for us.

"I am very proud of the way we came out and played hard after struggling through the middle of our season. Our guys came ready to play, and it gave our homecoming crowd a fun game to watch."

The victory sets Wahluke up for its SCAC East finale against Connell at Wahluke this Friday. At one point the Eagles appeared to be out of reach. They are struggling and were bounced around the last two Fridays.

The Highland game started slowly, with the score 7-0 at half-time on a 15-yard Alex Chiprez run. On the first play after intermission, Jaime Jimenez intercepted a pass that was tipped by Jonah Gallacci and returned it 20 yards to make the score 14-0.

The next score came on a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Alex Anaya. Alex Chiprez tallied the final touchdown on a run of 30 yards.

Jimenez had his fifth game of more than 100 yards rushing. He rambled behind solid offensive line play by Jonah Gallacci, Juan Mendoza, Jack Yorgesen, Gilberto Mejia and Joel Salas.

Jimenez was a leader defensively, too, recording nine tackles. Alex Anaya had a second non-scoring touchdown.

"Steven Machuca played a major role in our victory as both a vocal leader and a leader by example through the game and practice during the week," Bye said. "He broke his leg during the fourth quarter, but he played his entire season in a way that makes his coaches proud."