Prosser wins third straight on the road

By SCOTT SPRUILL

YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

SUNNYSIDE — Bud Sexton had plenty to be happy about Friday night, but what really lit up a smile for the Prosser senior had little to do with what transpired on Sunnyside's football field. "All I know is that in 20 minutes I'll be home," Sexton beamed. "After the last couple weeks this was almost like a home game." What Sexton and the Mustangs proved with power on Friday is that no matter where they play — be it Issaquah two weeks ago, Pullman last week or just up the road in Sunnyside — the red machine is rolling again. And could be for a long while.

Sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore threw three touchdown passes in the first half and Jared Hancock, another 10th-grader, scored on offense and defense in the second half as the third-ranked Mustangs blew past Sunnyside 35-0 on opening night of Mid-Valley League play at Clem Senn Field. Sexton, a wide receiver and defensive back, caught a game-high five passes for 74 yards and his own interception set up a 32-yard scoring reception just before halftime. "It seems like we've been on a bus since the start of the season, but it's definitely been worth it," he said. "We've had great competition and it's made us better. Next week, finally, we have Hanford at home. We're all looking forward to that."

After putting up 126 points in victories over Mercer Island, Issaquah and Pullman, the unbeaten Mustangs (4-0) proved they're plenty potent on defense, too. Sunnyside's hard-running Greg Gilleland gained 107 yards but took 29 carries to do it, and Prosser's secondary allowed only two completed passes. "The defense played real well," said Prosser coach Tom Moore. "We run well and the kids were flying around tonight." The Grizzlies (2-2) brought pressure on Prosser's young quarterback, who completed 11 of 25 passes for 169 yards and two interceptions, both by Noe Zamarron.

But the 6-foot-1 lefty had a great start, completing his first five passes with first-quarter scoring strikes to Jorgen Gilbertson and Miguel Perez. And while the final score was one-sided, Sexton's TD grab was, at the time, a big deal. After bolting to a 14-0 lead, the Mustangs were stymied on their next three series. Sexton's interception gave Prosser the ball at midfield with four minutes left, but the Grizzlies nearly had that threat turned back by forcing Prosser into a fourth-and-9 situation on Sunnyside's 32. But the Moore-to-Sexton hook up was perfectly on the mark in the left corner of the end zone. "The safety was lined up inside and I gave him a little move, then broke outside," Sexton smiled. "I love that route, and Kellen put it right there. A fourth-down TD catch, that's about as good as it gets." Hancock, who backed up Ivan Merino's 103-yard rushing effort, scored on a 14-yard run in the third quarter and added a 21-yard fumble return in the final period. "We put a tough schedule together and it's made us better," Tom Moore said. "But we won't be home after 3 in the morning this time, and I like that."