MATTAWA - No matter what happens the rest of the way, the Wahluke High School football season is already better than last year's and several others.

A 26-9 victory over Highland last week elevated the Warriors to 5-3. They can't finish under .500, as they did last year.

"It was a good win for us," coach Brycen Bye said.

The Warriors, who will miss out on the state playoffs, close the SCAC East season this Friday at league-leading Connell. They will play a closing cross-over game with a SCAC West team on Nov. 8.

"We are excited about the opportunity for our team to have an overall winning record for the first time since 2008," Bye said.

The Warriors jumped out to an early 20-3 lead against Highland. Martin Tello set up the first touchdown with a 75-yard kickoff return. He followed that with a 15-yard scoring run to put Wahluke ahead 7-3.

Following that score, Wahluke recovered a fumble on the 20-yard line. Daniel Corrales scored on a 10-yard run to make it 13-3.

Early in the second quarter, Wahluke scored again on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Arturo Salazar to Tello. Salazar hit Tello on a 65-yard touchdown pass in the fourth period to make the score 26-9 and seal the victory.

Steven Machuca led Warrior rushers with 59 yards on nine carries. Corrales added 42 yards on seven runs. Salazar completed four of nine passes for 92 yards. Tello caught two passes for 80 yards.

"Martin Tello had a huge game for us," Bye said. "He scored three touchdowns, had a big kickoff return and really propelled our team to victory. This was a game he can be very proud of and, he has worked extremely hard to prepare for those kinds of performances."

Salazar stepped up with a big touchdown pass late in the game. It was third down, and the game was still tight.

"He put the ball right on the money," Bye said.

The defensive line of Jonah Gallacci, Jack Yorgesen, Salvador Gonzalez, Eduardo Ortiz and Omar Loera continued to be a strong part of the defense. Those boys helped hold Highland to less than four yards per carry.