COULEE CITY – The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors (9-1) defeated the Entiat Tigers 57-14 at home to advance to the quarter finals of the 1B state football tournament. Head Coach Brandon Walsh said his team has come together recently.   

“We're happy with just where we're at this stage of the season. Obviously, it's great to advance another week, but maybe more importantly, it is kind of how we're playing right now, and I feel like we're playing as good as anybody,” Walsh said.   

The Warriors jumped out to a 30-8 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Their run defense was dominant and limited Entiat’s offensive attack. From there, the Warriors piled on the points to secure the win and advance further in the state tournament.   

Walsh said their loss to Liberty Christian earlier this season has been a motivating factor to the way they are playing now.   

“The loss earlier in the year has kind of motivated and inspired our kids to prepare well and practice hard. We kind of knew at the beginning of the season that we were going to have a good team and, and so from our perspective, the goal was to get a little bit better each week, and the kids have bought into that,” Walsh said.   

In the first quarter, the Warriors got on the scoreboard first. Brady Roberts broke loose for a 37-yard rushing touchdown; after converting a two-point play, they took an 8-0 lead. The Warriors continued to pile on the points with another touchdown by Roberts and Nolan Grindy. Max Grindy added to their lead via a 65-yard pick six.   

“It’s the second week in a row he's had a pick six. So that's pretty cool, it's always a big deal when you can score on defense,” Walsh said.   

The Tigers scored a 28-yard touchdown pass and converted a two-point play of their own to cut the deficit to 30-8 before the end of the first quarter.   

In the second quarter, Caden Correia found Brody Pitts on an 18-yard touchdown pass. Shortly after, Nolan punched the ball into the endzone to increase their lead to 42-8 at halftime.   

In the third quarter, ACH added 15 more points by way of two rushing touchdowns by Roberts. The fourth quarter was scoreless, and the Warriors secured the 57-14 win. Walsh complimented some of the challenges the Tigers threw their way.   

“They're well coached, and they spread the field and throw a lot of different formations and looks at you and so defensively we had to be in alignment all the time, and stay disciplined in our assignments,” he said.  

Walsh said his players did an excellent job of sticking to their assignments and restricting the Tigers' options on offense. On 28 rushing attempts, the Warriors only allowed 23 rushing yards. On the flip side, ACH’s offense continued to excel in the run game. On 34 carries, they ran a total of 267 yards and four touchdowns. 

“Our defensive philosophy typically is to try and take away one part of the other team's offensive scheme,” Walsh said.

Four of Roberts’ carries resulted in touchdowns. Their dominance in the run also allowed them to open the pass game as well. Correia completed all seven of his passes for 109 yards and three touchdowns. ACH is usually a run first team; however, the trends of the game resulted in Correia’s number being called.

“We have a lot of confidence in Caden and our receivers,” Walsh said. “Our game plan is to run it, and oftentimes teams start keying on that and then other things open up for us, and we're glad that we have the athletes we do, that we can be more than one dimensional.”  

On offense, four players contributed to scores plus an additional contribution on defense. Walsh said having so many scoring threats on the field makes his life a lot easier.   

“It makes it easy as a play caller for me if a team is keying on one guy or one aspect of our game, I know that I got guys who are versatile and can be weapons in other areas,” he said.  

Walsh said his players have done an excellent job of improving each week as the season has gone on. ACH is set to host Naselle at Lions Field on Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. He said they present similar challenges that Entiat did. However, their win has prepared them to carry their momentum forward.   

“We know that’s a well-coached team, and they got playoff experience, and we're going to have to be up for the challenge,” Walsh said.   

BOX SCORE:   

ENTT: 8-0-6-0: 14
ACHW: 30-12-15-0: 57 

    Mason Maes (75) tackles Entiat's quarterback as he gets rid of the ball. The ACH Warriors defense held Entiat to 23 rush yards as a team.
  

    The ACH Warriors’ Nolan Grindy (11) stiff arms an Entiat defender as he runs downfield. Grindy accounted for two touchdowns in the Warriors win over the Tigers.
  

    Brady Roberts (21) extends his arm for the endzone to score. Roberts was dominant on offense with four total touchdowns against Entiat.