MATTAWA — The Wahluke High School football team went to Connell Friday with as much enthusiasm as they’ve had in years and, still, that was not enough to overcome the always tough Eagles.

The smaller Connell defensive line stopped the Wahluke offensive line in its tracks, and the Eagles walked off with a 48-0 win. There were no special schemes by the Eagles. They were just intent on winning.

“They punched us in the mouth first every time,” said a disappointed coach Mike Foristiere. “We were not focused.

Probably most shocking was the shutout. The Warriors had scored 119 points in their first three games. They had been producing more than 300 rushing yards a game but were held to 105. The Warriors lost five fumbles.

Wahluke fell to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the South Central A Conference East. They come home this Friday to face No. 1-ranked rival Royal.

This match-up could be the toughest yet for the Warriors. Royal is 4-0 (2-0) and has defeated Connell. The Knights ripped Cashmere, 55-6, last Friday.

“Royal is a good team,” Foristiere said. “We’ve got one week to turn 180 degrees, or it will be ugly again.”

After the 63-39 victory over previously unbeaten Warden two Friday’s ago, the Warriors thought they’d finally turned a corner in their less than two years under Foristiere. They learned otherwise at Connell and, Saturday, they were still “dejected” at the team meeting and game film review.

“After watching the film, it’s all mental,” Foristiere said.

Foristiere is faced with the task of getting his team ready for rival Royal that wins just about every time it plays a game. That won’t be easy.

“We have no choice or history repeats,” he said.

In the Connell game, Jason Cruz was, once again, the leading rusher. He carried the ball 11 times for 43 yards.

David Pineda went 7-21 and recovered a fumble. Dan Corrales went 7-15, Jose Alejo 3-14, Brandon Anaya 4-10 and Daniel Miron 2-4. Quaterback Jose Madrigal completed two of four passes for 18 yards and had one pass intercepted.

If all of these Warriors get their numbers back to normal Friday, the team will be okay. However Royal coach Wiley Allred will be warning his boys that upsets do happen.

“I know they believe they can beat us,” Allred said. “Our line better stay low on defense. We will need to win the battle up front.”