Prosser Mustang recap
Prosser vs. Ellensburg

Tri-City Herald

This story was published Sunday, November 13th, 2005

By Ben Reynolds, Herald staff writer

PROSSER -- Kellen Moore has been nothing less than spectacular for the entire season. But even he found a way to elevate his game Saturday afternoon.

The Prosser junior quarterback not only threw for big yards, but he also was efficient and nearly perfect in doing so as the Mustangs rolled to a 61-12 victory over Mid-Valley League rival Ellensburg in the first round of the 3A state football playoffs at Art Fiker Stadium.

Moore completed 16 of 20 passes for 302 yards and five touchdowns to raise his season totals to 3,747 yards and 53 touchdowns.

"It's fun playing on a Saturday; nothing beats this" said Moore, who's thrown for 32 touchdowns in his last six games. "This is what we play for."

Moore and the fifth-ranked Mustangs advance to play Bellevue, a 63-7 winner over Lindbergh in another first-round game Saturday, next weekend in the quarterfinals in the Tri-Cities.

On Saturday, Moore completed his first 12 passes of the game, with his first incompletion coming with 5:36 left in the third quarter. By that time, the Mustangs were well in control with a 49-6 advantage.

The left-hander said he was unaware of his stats, saying that he felt he was in a good rhythm for most of the game. Oh, and don't forget his offensive line that gave him more than ample time to sit in the pocket and throw.

"I have to give those guys credit," he said. "They get on me for not giving them credit, but they did a great job."

Moore was still going late in the third quarter with his full arsenal of passes, hitting his brother Kirby for a 43-yard pass play on fourth-and-2 with a nice touch pass down the right sideline. On the next play, he fired a strike to Cody Bruns on a slant route in the end zone to push the margin to 55-6.

Prosser (11-1), which beat Ellensburg just nine days ago

60-12 to clinch its third straight Mid-Valley League title, wasted little time in ending the tired and beat up Bulldogs' upset bid.

On the first play from scrimmage, Moore hit Cody Bruns for a 62-yard touchdown pass, and the scoring barrage was just getting started.

"That kind of set the tone," Bruns said. "It gave our defense a boost and got us going from there."

Ellensburg (8-4) tried to mix up its defenses, but it could not stop the Mustangs' high-powered passing game, despite using just three defensive linemen and challenging Prosser to run.

"We just hit a wall gas-wise," Ellensburg coach Randy Affholter said of his team that was coming off a 42-41 triple-overtime win over Clarkston in the regionals. "We finished 8-4. Not a bad gig."

Prosser scored on its first five possessions to take a 35-0 lead into halftime. Ellensburg's best chance to seize control of the game came midway through the first quarter when Moore was blind-sided and fumbled the ball. Zach Haberman recovered for Ellensburg, but a holding call negated the turnover. Five plays later, Ivan Merino strolled across the goal line from 2 yards out to make the score 14-0.

Bruns had another big game with eight catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns, and Kirby Moore added four catches for 107 yards.

The Prosser defense even found its way into the end zone when Nick Edwards picked up a fumble by quarterback Randle Affholter and returned it 21 yards for a score in the third quarter.

"The kids were ready to play and did a real nice job coming out today," Prosser coach Tom Moore said.

Prosser 61, Ellensburg 12

Ellensburg 0 6 0 6 — 12

Prosser 21 14 26 0 — 61

SCORING PLAYS

P — Cody Bruns 62 pass from Kellen Moore (Ivan Merino kick)

P — Merino 2 run (Merino kick)

P — Kirby Moore 25 pass from K. Moore (Merino kick)

P — Merino 4 run (Merino kick)

P — Kody Frank 5 run (Merino kick)

E — Scott Cooper 15 pass from Randle Affholter (kick failed)

P — Jared Hancock 5 pass from K. Moore (Ricardo Sanchez kick)

P — Nick Edwards 21 fumble return (Sanchez kick)

P — Kirby Moore 12 pass from K. Moore (kick failed)

P — Bruns 12 pass from K. Moore (kick failed)

E — Josh Kopczynski 6 run (pass fail)

STATISTICS

RUSHING—E, Kopczynski 28-125, Drew Ronning 2-9, Affholter 5-0, Luke Yarwood 1 (minus 3). P, Merino 10-36, Jarid Leighty 4-28, K. Moore 2-22, Jared Hancock 2-21, Drake Washington 5-18, Cody Meeske 3-14, Steve Jackson 2-2.

PASSING—E, Affholter 15-27-2-128. P, K. Moore 16-20-0-302.

RECEIVING—E, Patrick Hampton 4-61, Ronning 4-30, Dillan Roth 5-22, Wes Ferrell 2-15. P, Bruns 8-160, Kirby Moore 4-107, Hancock 2-26, Serg Torres 1-8 , Tylan Watkins 1-6.

FIRST DOWNS—E 14, P 16 . FUMBLES-LOST—E 5-1, P 0-0. PENALTIES-YARDS—E 3-24, P 5-38.