EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tigers delivered a commanding performance Friday night, shutting out Toppenish, 28-0, in a Central Washington Athletic Conference matchup at Kiwanis Field.

Junior running back Carson Andrus set the tone with a 10-yard touchdown run on the opening drive, capping a 9-play series that featured a 27-yard kick return by Aiden Avila and near 35-yard strike from quarterback Brady Hendrick to receiver Mitchell Morford. 

Moments later, Ephrata’s special teams swung the momentum again when Calvin Lybbert blocked a Wildcat punt and Nain Guerrero recovered on the Toppenish 24. Hendrick capitalized on the short field, scrambling for a first down on fourth-and-eight before finding Morford for a 9-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0 with Caleb Moberg’s second extra-point kick.

After a scoreless second period, the Tigers’ offense reignited after the halftime break. Beginning deep in their own territory on the 19-yard line, Hendrick connected with Hunter Mills and Morford on back-to-back gains before Andrus dashed 22 yards up the right side for his second touchdown of the night. With the extra point, the Tigers extended their lead to 21-0.

On the next possession, after a short Toppenish punt, Chance Lee ripped off a 43-yard burst through the middle, setting up Jacob Reyes for a 14-yard touchdown run up the left sideline. Moberg’s fourth PAT made it 28-0, the eventual final. 

Hendrick completed 13 of 28 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown, distributing the ball to six receivers. Morford led the group with six catches for 80 yards, while Mills and Lybbert combined for 68 yards on four receptions. 

Ephrata’s ground game produced 246 yards on 38 carries, paced by Andrus (65 yards, 2 TDs) and Reyes (59 yards, 1 TD). Moberg was perfect on four PATs.

Defensively, the Tigers dominated, forcing three interceptions, two by Braiden Baltz and one by Morford, and holding Toppenish to 233 total yards. Morford also recorded a tackle-for-loss, while Brice Strickler, Nain Guerrero, and Owen Fitch helped shutdown the Toppenish offense.

Ephrata finished with 24 first downs to Toppenish’s 13 and converted 9-of-14 third-down attempts while committing just five penalties for 45 yards.

Halftime festivities featured the EHS Dance Team, followed by the Homecoming Court presentation and fireworks. ASB President Cecilia Roth and Vice President Roberto Araujo emceed the ceremony honoring EHS teacher Kent Devine as Distinguished Alumnus. King Michael Park and Queen Natalin Abundiz took their lap in the “Tiger Truck,” and the 20-year fireworks tradition at Kiwanis Field continued under the direction of Justin Kooy and retired teacher Rich Knowlton.

The Tigers (3-3 CWAC) travel to Selah on Friday, Oct. 24, for their second-to-last regular-season game. Selah (4-2) is coming off a loss to top-ranked East Valley (Yakima).

Elsewhere around the CWAC on Friday, East Valley's Red Devils – conference leaders and also ranked first in state RPI standings – topped Selah 42-13, Grandview edged Quincy 27-24, Othello outlasted Prosser 36-26, and in a non-conference matchup Ellensburg traveled to Zillah and was defeated 47-13.