WENATCHEE — Regardless of record, Wenatchee is always a marquee game on Moses Lake’s schedule.

Wenatchee entered Friday night’s game a pedestrian 3-4 overall, but with only one loss in the Columbia Basin Big Nine the state playoffs were not out of the question.

Moses Lake’s defense provided a reality check, forcing two turnovers, keeping Wenatchee out of the red zone and earning its second shutout in three weeks.

Kyler Haneberg caught two touchdowns from Brandon Griffith and Moses Lake beat its rival 21-0, improving to 5-0 in the CBBN.

“We’ve got a good defense and the old adage bend don’t break,” head coach Todd Griffith said. “They know when it gets down to the time when they starting getting inside our 40 (yard line) or across midfield our guys seem to stiffen up pretty good.

“They (Wenatchee) played a great game, really. They did some good things against us offensively and then their defense, I thought, played hard. They had a good scheme of what they were doing and I told the kids coming in this would be a tough game.”

The common refrain was Brandon Griffith to Haneberg.

On Moses Lake’s first scoring drive, Brandon Griffith found Haneberg up the sideline for 41 yards. Haneberg ran a post route and made a leaping catch for 23 yards down to Wenatchee’s three yard line.

Adam Carvo polished off the 68-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run.

Despite the early score, Wenatchee’s defense was able to keep Moses Lake’s offense in check for most of the first half.

That is, until just before halftime.

A short punt allowed the Chiefs to regain possession at the Panthers’ 40 yard line less than a minute before intermission.

However, time wasn’t an issue since Brandon Griffith hit a streaking Haneberg in stride for a 40-yard touchdown on the first play of the drive.

“Over the summer we kept going and going to Lions Field,” said Brandon Griffith on his relationship with Haneberg. “Kept playing and practicing and it helped us out now.”

Wenatchee’s best opportunity to cut into the margin came on the opening drive of the second half.

A personal foul and defensive holding penalty pushed the Panthers into Chiefs territory. But on a fourth-and-15 from the 27 yard line, Austin Blakney’s pass was broken up by Mario Yepiz.

Haneberg caught his second touchdown with 5:38 to play and Moses Lake was later able to salt the game away on the ground.

Moses Lake hosts West Valley Oct. 27 for a chance to wrap up a league championship and No. 1 seed to state.

West Valley defeated Moses Lake 51-14 in Yakima last season — something Todd Griffith hopes his numerous returners have a vivid memory of.

“I said remember what they did to you last year and we want to be 6-0,” he said. “They beat the pants off us last year, bad, and I hope they remember that because they’re going to come into our house and it’s the league championship.”

Score by quarters

ML — 7 7 0 7 21

W — 0 0 0 0 0

Scoring

ML — Carvo 1 run (Skeesick kick)

ML — Haneberg 40 pass from Griffith (Skeesick kick)

ML — Haneberg 33 pass from Griffith (Skeesick kick)

Ellensburg 35, Quincy 0

ELLENSBURG — Quincy finished league play with a 35-0 loss against Ellensburg.

Trace Townsend led the Bulldogs with two rushing touchdowns.

Ephrata 43, East Valley 37

YAKIMA — Ephrata won a shootout with East Valley 43-37 to nail down the No. 2 spot in the CWAC North.

Zac Berryman totaled six touchdowns for the Tigers. Berryman threw two touchdown passes to Chris Walker and rushed for three more.

Ephrata led 30-29 after three quarters.

Ephrata will play CWAC South No. 2 Prosser Oct. 28, 3:30 p.m., at Grandview High School.

Royal 67, Columbia 7

BURBANK — Royal cruised to a win over Columbia 67-7.

Friday night’s win was the 35th in a row for the Knights.

Warden 28, River View 0

KENNEWICK — Warden kept its playoff hopes alive with a 28-0 win over River View.

Ryan Arredondo threw three touchdowns — two to wide receiver Kaden Skone.

Tucker Roden led Warden’s defense with six tackles and two sacks. River View was held to five yards of offense.

The Cougars improved to 3-3 and are tied with Kiona-Benton for the fourth and final South Central Athletic Conference East playoff spot.

Warden hosts Kiona-Benton Oct. 27.

Wahluke 16, Kiona-Benton 12

BENTON CITY — Wahluke outlasted Kiona-Benton 16-12.

The Warriors kept pace with Connell for the No. 2 spot in the SCAC East. Both teams are 5-1 in league.

Wahluke hosts Connell Oct. 27 in a game that will decide which team will earn the No. 2 seed.

Lind-Ritzville/Sprague 52, Kettle Falls 14

RITZVILLE — Lind-Ritzville/Sprague led 32-0 at halftime and beat Kettle Falls 52-14.

Mason Brausen had two rushing touchdowns and a 79-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Almira/Coulee-Hartline 68, Tekoa-Rosalia 32

COULEE CITY — Almira/Coulee-Hartline built a large lead to beat Tekoa-Rosalia 68-32.

The Warriors led 52-8 at halftime. Tekoa-Rosalia scored 24 points in the fourth quarter to close the margin.

Parker Zappone rushed for a 65-yard touchdown and returned a fumble for another touchdown.