EPHRATA — Ephrata improved to 2-0 this season with Friday’s 33-0 home win over Quincy in the Battle of the Basin, capitalizing off Jackrabbit turnovers to claim the win despite the two teams finishing with a similar amount of total yards. 

“The goal of the game was we wanted to start fast and put them in a position where they were going to play from behind,” Tigers head coach Patrick Mitchell said. “They were predominantly a run-first kind of team, so trying to get up and force them to throw the ball a little more, we felt like that was playing into our advantage.” 

The Tigers gained 354 yards of total offense to Quincy’s 317, though three Jackrabbit interceptions and an 0-2 mark on fourth down was the deciding factor. Ephrata went up 14-0 in the first quarter with touchdown receptions by seniors Llandon Ahmann and Coltyn Klingenberg from 15 and 19 yards out, respectively. Senior Elijah Chavez-Mabry added another touchdown in the third quarter while juniors Brady Hendrick and Tavone Mantese scored on short runs in the fourth quarter. 

“They did a good job of sustaining some long drives and chewing some clock on us, keeping our offense off of the field for a little bit,” Mitchell said.  

Ephrata moves on to another league game Friday, traveling to Ellensburg to play the Bulldogs. 

“There’s a lot of league games left to be played, so we can’t just rest off of a good start,” Mitchell said. “We’ve got to keep it going into this week at Ellensburg — it'll be a good road test for us down there.” 

    Caleb Moberg, junior, hits a point after touchdown for Ephrata during the Battle of the Basin on Friday night.
  

    The Tigers' Tavone Mantese, junior, sweeps to the left on a run.
  

    The Jacks' Maximo Serrano, junior, works to push through the Tigers defense during Friday's game. While the Jacks lost the game, they moved the ball well on the field.