WAITSBURG–Dedication and hard work on their own initiative paid dividends for Dayton Waitsburg Valley Football as they resoundingly defeated Highland 38-0 here February 27 in the combine's first football matchup under the pandemic.

DW hosts TriCities Prep here Friday, kickoff at 7 p.m.

"For our kids to come out and score on that first drive set the tone," said Head Coach Troy Larsen.

The team had just four practices outside with full pads before the game rolled around, Larsen said, but the difference was the leadership of three seniors–Mason Finney, Shawn Evans, Colton VanBlaricom–and sophomore quarterback Monte Pettichord, who have been lifting weights and doing passing drills on their own. "We haven't played football for 16 months and they've been out here passing every week," Larsen said. "They do all this on their own. They want to be better. They've gone to camps on their own. They created their own weight room in VanBlaricom's basement, called 'Basement Planet.'

"It's the best senior leadership I've seen in a long time, in a bad situation," he said. "Instead of pouting and putting their heads down, they just want to play."

It showed in DW's 38-0 drubbing of the Highland Scotties of Cowiche, Wash. Valley's first score was on a 20-yard pass from Pettichord to Brayden Mohney, ending a five-play, 81-yard drive. Hunter Berg booted the extra point.

Mohney ended up as Player of the Game, Larsen said. "Out of nowhere," he said, "was Brayden Mohney. Two interceptions and a touchdown catch, he caught everything that came his way. Great attitude, flew around...that was a surprise."

DW's next drive was reversed due to penalties to their own 20 where it was first and 29. Pettichord was sacked and Valley punted, giving Highland good field position. Their drive stalled at the 16 and a field goal kick missed.

The Scottie defense held Valley four downs at the five, DW's field goal missing.

Late in the second quarter, VanBlaricom made a 25-yard punt return set DW up on the Highland 25 and Larsen unleashed secret weapon No. 9, Hudson Reser, who carried three times to the half-yard line where Pettichord punched it in. The PAT missed for 13-0.

DW scored on a 17-yard Pettichord to VanBlaricom with three seconds on the clock before half.

Highland's fatigue began to show in the second half as Valley scored at 9:52 on a four-play, 69-yard drive, Pettichord waltzing into the end zone untouched from the four.

The next scoring drive was a seven-play, 54-yard drive, DW scoring on fourth and seven with a 30-yard pass from Pettichord to Finney. Berg's kick was good: 25-0.

Player of the Game Mohney picked Highland's first-down pass, and DW's next score was a seven-play, 36-yard drive, ending with a one-yard run by Finney, who was subbing at quarterback for an injured Pettichord.

The fourth quarter started with a running clock and DW was knocking after Finney's 46-yard ramble with several broken tackles to the Highland one-yard line. The ball was stripped from Reser and recovered in the end zone by Highland. Minutes later, a Highland player was injured and significant time was needed for the ambulance crew so the game was called.

The short preseason meant three linemen were ineligible until after TriCities Prep, plus runningback Damien Johnson will be eligible, giving DW additional weapons, Larsen said.

Dayton-Waitsburg 38 – Highland 0.

High 0 0 0 0-0

DW 7 12 19 0-38

Scoring

DW: Mohney, 20 yd pass from Pettichord, (Berg Kick).

DW: Pettichord, 1 yd run, (Kick Failed).

DW: VanBlaricom, 17 yd pass from Pettichord, (Kicked Blocked).

DW : Pettichord, 4 yd run, (Kick Failed).

DW : Finney, 30 yd pass from Pettichord, (Berg Kick).

DW: Finney, 1 yd run, (Kick Failed).

HHS DW

First Downs: 4 10

Rushes-Yards 16-6 30-183

Passing Yards 75 205

Passing (att-completion-int.):

-Chronicle photo

Mason Finney (16) eyeballs an incoming pass from Monte Pettichord, one of his two receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown.

    21-10-2    18-9-0

Punts: 6-20 3-27

Fumbles-Lost 3-1 3-1

Penalties 2-10 2-25

Individual Statistics.

Rushing – HHS: M. Ramirez 4-5, R. Ayala 6-(-12), F. Pacheco 4-13. DW: Pettichord 9-39-2, VanBlaricom 4-10, Evans 1-7, Reser, 12-79, Finney 4-48-1.

Receiving – HHS: N. Mumby 2-12, J. Silva 4-26, J. Villafan 1-3, L. Alcaia 3-34. DW: Finney 2-62-1, Evans 2-73, Mohney 2-67-1, Boudrieau 1-5, VanBlaricom 2-23.

Passing – HHS: I. Escamilla 10-21-2, 75 yds. DW: Pettichord 9-18-0, 205 yds, 2 TDs.