MOSES LAKE – The 6-2 Mavericks return to Lions Field on Friday after a 41-35 road loss to West Valley (Yakima) last week, with the loss creating a three-way tie for the lead in the Columbia Basin Big 9 Conference.

Joining Moses Lake with a 4-1 record in league play is Sunnyside, who the Mavericks defeated two weeks ago, and Eastmont, who they play on Friday.

“Mondays suck after a loss, it is what it is,” Moses Lake head coach Brett Jay said. “You come in and it takes a while to shake it, and the only way to shake it is by getting back to work. We know that we feel the mistakes that were made were preventable by us playing our technique and our fundamentals better.”

Freshman quarterback Brady Jay, Brett’s son, entered the game for the Mavericks on Friday, completing 15 of 27 passes for 172 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Senior quarterback Brock Clark, who also plays linebacker for the Mavericks, had two sacks against West Valley.

“(Brady) and Brock both got reps, Brady got hot there in the rain, and we stuck with him,” Jay said. “Brock’s a great quarterback as well; he’s a good leader for us.”

Senior running back Maddox Gwinn had 31 carries for 205 yards and two touchdowns against the Rams.

“It was a great accomplishment, probably something I haven’t done in a long time,” Gwinn said.

Gwinn missed the team’s first three games with a hip injury he suffered in the offseason but said that he’s returned back to regular playing state now five games in.

“It’s been a lot better, (the) hip isn’t bothering me anymore,” Gwinn said.

West Valley quarterback Skyler Cassel, who leads the state in passing yards, completed 20 of 31 passes for 446 yards and five touchdowns in the win over the Mavericks.

“Credit West Valley for making the plays, they made the plays when they had to,” Jay said. “They threw the ball for (446) yards – unbelievable. We know we could have played better in areas. There’s no question.”

Jay said that as a result of the game Moses Lake is focusing on improving its pass defense for future games.

“Any time you give up (446) yards through the air, you wear that one for a while until you don’t do it,” Jay said. “We’re committed to getting better at pass defense. Credit Skyler Cassel, that staff for putting together one heck of a game plan. But, on our end, we didn’t execute.”

Passing defense may not be as big of a concern for the Mavericks this week as they prepare to take on a run-heavy Eastmont offense. The Wildcats (4-3) have rushed for at least 150 yards in each game this season, including a season-high 467 yards on the ground on 47 carries against West Valley three weeks ago according to the team’s MaxPreps page. In seven games, the Wildcats have only thrown the ball 82 times, completing 45 passes for 701 yards, 8 touchdowns and six interceptions.

“Eastmont’s physical, they like to get downhill, they like to establish the run,” Jay said. “If they get going on the ground, it’s tough sledding for us. So, our commitment is stopping the run.”

Kickoff between the Mavericks and Wildcats is at 7 p.m. on Lions Field in Moses Lake.

“We’re excited to put our best foot forward,” Jay said.

Ian Bivona may be reached at ibivona@columbiabasinherald.com.