MOSES LAKE – The Moses Lake Christian Academy/Christian Covenant School Lions (4-2) gained a solid 48-22 win over Oroville on Friday evening. This win was in part due to the return of some key players on the team who were out with injury. 

“We had a pretty good first half, jumped on them pretty early,” said Lions head coach Josh Kast. “They just played a really good game overall.” 

The Lions came out quick in the first quarter, gaining two touchdowns, but Oroville was able to respond with one of their own. In the second quarter, the Lions put up an additional two touchdowns, and Oroville was held scoreless after throwing two costly interceptions to end the half at 28-6. 

Oroville had more success in the second half, scoring two touchdowns, but the Lions would respond with three touchdowns of their own to end the game at 48-22. Kast said this game showed how far the Lions have come this season, despite having come off losing two in a row two weeks prior. 

“We were a little banged up when we lost to Waitsburg and then the following week against Entiat, which is our toughest competition in the league. We needed to get that one, but we were banged up,” he said. 

This week, the Lions saw Treyson Kast return to the lineup and in the next two weeks, will have senior linebacker Derick Smith return after having surgery on his pinkie that he broke during the game against Waitsburg. Getting these players back at 100 percent will be beneficial to their run in the playoffs, said Kast. 

The coach said he is feeling good about where the team is at this point in the season and is ready to prepare the players for a tough postseason where they will likely face off against Entiat again. 

“Overall, I think that we’re progressing as an offense. We keep on adding new things every week,” said Kast. “Kind of building on that from week to week so we’re not predictable going forward.” 

Two players who have stepped up this year for the team have been sophomore receiver Andrew Moskvich, who has filled in for Treyson Kast while he was out, and senior running back Anthony Moskvich.  

“They’ve been a really nice surprise to the season as far as adding another dynamic part to our offense,” said Kast. 

Another strong addition to the Lions has been freshman center Dane Spurbeck, who, through six games, has not had a single bad snap and has been great at protecting the quarterback, he said. 

The Lions are going to handle the season week by week and focus on each opponent as they come along, said the coach.  

“We’re right where we need to be,” said Kast. “Hopefully we can win out and finish the regular season 8-2 and keep on building momentum towards the state playoffs and get a decent ranking when it comes to playoff time.” 

The Lions' next game will be at home Thursday at 7 p.m., where they will face off against Pateros. 

BOX SCORE:  

MLCA: 14-14-13-7: 48
OROV: 6-0-8-8: 22 

    Senior running back for the Lions Anthony Moskvich celebrates his touchdown run during the second quarter against Oroville. Head coach Josh Kast said both Anthony and Andrew Moskvich have been great assets to the team this season.
  

    Lions receiver Treyson Kast catches the ball for a first down and then some against Oroville. Treyson Kast returned to the field on Friday after being out with an injury prior.
  

    Freshman center Dane Spurbeck prepares to hike the ball during Friday’s game against Oroville. Head coach Josh Kast said Spurbeck has been very impressive as the starting center and has not had a single mishandled snap this season.