MOSES LAKE — The Almira/Coulee-Hartline Warriors faced the Naselle Comets in the 1B state quarterfinals at Lions Field on Saturday afternoon. The number four-seeded Warriors were dominant on the field and earned a 61-26 victory to move on to the state semifinals. 

“I’m feeling great, I think we can beat anybody,” said Warriors junior Max Grindy. “We have a great group of guys, a great group of brothers that can go and win everything.”  

The Warriors got off to a hot start during Saturday’s matchup earning an early lead with a touchdown run from touchdown run from Nolan Grindy and immediately followed by a fumbled punt recovery by Naselle, allowing the Warriors offense to take the field and have Warriors senior Brady Roberts make a catch in the endzone for a touchdown. 

Throughout the first half, ACH continued their offensive push with the defense holding their opponent to two scores to end the half 36-12.  

Coming into the third quarter, the Warriors were once again quick to score with Max Grindy taking the ball halfway downfield for another touchdown. Both Caden Corriea and Adyn Peha would score in the third quarter to put the score at 58-18.  

In the fourth quarter, the Warriors would add three onto their score with a field goal from Haydon Boyd to extend their lead to 61. Naselle would connect for a touchdown in the final minutes of the game, but it wouldn’t be enough and the Warriors would earn the win to move in the state tournament. 

Grindy said the Warriors’ closeness as teammates and ability to rally together is what earned them the victory over Naselle. Coming into Saturday’s matchup, they knew how tough Naselle could be and needed to stay dialed in if they wanted to get to the semifinals. 

“That’s a good team over there and we just punched them in the mouth,” he said. “We proved to the state who we really are.” 

Warriors Head Coach Brandon Walsh said the team played very well against a tough opponent like Naselle. 

“In a game like this one, it’s a good team, and we figured if we came out and didn’t execute well, that could hurt us, but our kids were dialed in and did a great job,” said Walsh. 

In practice leading up to this matchup, the coaching staff was working to make sure that the Warriors would be ready to stay consistent and keep to their assignments defensively, he said. This will continue to be important moving forward as a miscue on assignment could result in easy gains for the opposing team. 

Walsh said the confidence in the Warriors’ ability to win any game moving forward will be an important takeaway for the team as they move forward to play the number one-seeded DeSales in the semifinals.  

“At this stage, when you’re going into the semifinals, you need to have that kind of confidence and play that way, so hopefully they’re ready for that,” he said. “Against any good team, you’ve got to be disciplined in your assignments, you’ve got to be physical, you’ve got to play hard for four quarters, and the mental part of the game at this stage is the most important part.” 

The Warriors are planning to take the momentum from their victory over Naselle and keep rolling ahead to stay focused this week as they prepare for the final matchup before the state championships, said Grindy. 

“We have a bunch of good athletes and they’re great kids,” said Walsh. “ All the things you want from a group as a coach, they do all those things, and so, we’re excited about that.” 

The Warriors will go on the road to Walla Walla to face DeSales at 3 p.m. Saturday. 

BOX SCORE:  

ACHL: 22-14-22-3: 61
NSLL: 0-12-6-8: 26 

    ACH senior quarterback Caden Correia looks for an open receiver during Saturday’s matchup against Naselle. Warriors Head Coach Brandon Walsh said the team was dialed in for this matchup and were ready to compete.
  

    Brady Roberts turns back toward his teammates after breaking past the Naselle defenders for a touchdown early on in Saturday’s matchup.
  

    ACH kicker Haydon Boyd (4) gets ready to kick a field goal with Caden Correia (2) setting up the ball.
  

    Nolan Grindy from the Warriors sprints downfield to score the first touchdown of the afternoon during Saturday’s matchup against Naselle.