KRIS HOLLAND/Yakima Herald-Republic Prosser runningback Ivan Merino (32) avoids a tackle by West Valley defensive back Jordan Juarez on Friday.

PROSSER — Describing Prosser's offense as unstoppable has been a common occurrence over the years. Big numbers are treated as no big deal for this perennial playoff troublemaker.

So when the trio of Kellen Moore, Cody Bruns and Ivan Merino lit up
Art Fiker Stadium on Friday night for seven touchdowns and nearly 500 yards, it was just another day at the
office, right?

Not when West Valley is in town.

With emotions running high with the annual renewal of the Mid-Valley League's best football rivalry, the effectiveness of Prosser's offense was stunning as a crowd of more than 3,000 watched the
Mustangs roll out to a 35-0 halftime lead en route to a decisive 48-14 triumph.

KRIS HOLLAND/Yakima Herald-Republic Prosser's Serg Torres (2) catches a pass in the end zone for a two-point conversion in the second quarter Friday.

In what rates as Prosser's largest margin of victory ever against the Rams, Moore passed for 305 yards and three TDs, Bruns set a school record with 209 receiving yards and two scores and Merino tore up the ground game with 151 yards and broke the Mustangs' career rushing record along the way.

"This is the best rivalry in the league and this is our last year in the league" said Merino, referring to Prosser's move into Class 2A next fall. "This was our time to show that in football, this is our league. We had nearly everything working perfect tonight."

Indeed. Prosser bludgeoned the reeling Rams with five consecutive scoring drives in the first half and piled up 341 yards before the break.

Bruns, the preciously talented sophomore, had more than 100 yards receiving and a touchdown during the monster first half. But he saved his best for the third quarter.

On their first second-half possession, the Mustangs started on WV's
18 but a 10-yard penalty backed them up to the 8. All that did was open up the field for the speedy Bruns, who hauled in a short pass over the middle and dashed 92 yards for his 12th score of the season, which ties a regular-season school record after just six games.

"This is my first West Valley game. I just watched last year's in the rain (Prosser won 17-14 at West Valley)" said Bruns, who finished with six receptions. "This was a huge game because we've been working hard in practice to improve some things. It was a tough week and this is a great way to end it." Even with a relentless offense that has produced a ghastly 43 touchdowns in six games, the Mustangs have had issues. Like a defense that was giving up way too much on the ground.

"We were not playing to our potential. Not even close" said Merino, the heart of Prosser's defense at linebacker. "We decided this week we wouldn't let anything go by. Tonight we were quick on the field and we read everything." West Valley's typically strong running game was shut out for three quarters and got stopped twice on downs in the first half.

Another lift for Prosser's defense was the return of junior Bubba Hancock, who suffered a hamstring injury in the second game against Issaquah. The 180-pound defensive back was a constant presence near West Valley's ball carriers, and he spelled Merino in the offensive backfield on three possessions and scored twice. "It's great to have him back" Merino said. "It helps a lot on defense and he makes us better on offense. We're both experienced and we can mix things up."

Merino's 151 yards lifted his career total to 3,523 yards, which surpassed Steve Harris' 1989 record of 3,465. His first-quarter touchdown was his 17th of the season and 53rd of his career, which tied another of Harris' venerable records. West Valley's top gainer was senior Chase Bosley, who ran for 53 yards on 15 carries. The Rams scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter on passing plays but they managed only 75 yards for the night in the air. Prosser (3-0, 5-1) will return to league play next Friday at Selah. West Valley (2-1, 4-2) is faced with a short week heading into a Thursday non-league contest at Eastmont.

West Valley 0 0 0 14 — 14

Prosser 14 21 6 7 — 48

Pro — Ivan Merino 4 run (Merino kick)

Pro — Bubba Hancock 2 run (Ricardo Sanchez kick)

Pro — Cody Bruns 27 pass from Kellen Moore (kick failed)

Pro — Hancock 5 run (Serg Torres pass from Moore)

Pro — Nick Boydston 16 pass from Moore (Sanchez kick)

Pro — Bruns 92 pass from Moore (kick blocked)

WV — Jordan Juarez 1 pass from Phillip Jennings (Jimmy Tangeman kick)

Pro — Kody Frank 1 run (Sanchez kick)

WV — Brendan Cockrum 9 pass from Tyler Bush (Tangeman kick)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — West Valley,Chase Bosley 15-53, Jennings 10-49, Taylor Tanasse 11-35, Ben Willden 3-15, Bush 2-8, Nathan Vetsch 1-5, David Owens 3-4. Prosser, Merino 19-151, Hancock 7-22, Bruns 1-7, Frank 3-4, Steve Jackson 1-1.

PASSING — West Valley,Jennings 6-14-0-38, Bush 3-4-0-37. Prosser, Moore 12-26-0-305, Corry Engbretson 0-0-0-0.

RECEIVING — West Valley,Bosley 3-31, Cockrum 2-17, Nick Plath 1-20, Owens 1-11, Juarez 1-1, Tanasse 1-minus 5. Prosser, Bruns 6-209, Torres 2-36, Boydston 2-33, Tylan Watkins 1-21, Danny Lochrie 1-6.