Loggers Blast Lind-Ritzville, Advance to Semifinals

ON A ROLL: Loggers Have Won Four Straight After Defeating Lind-Ritzville in State Quarterfinals

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Onalaska entered the postseason with a 4-5 overall record. Now, after blasting Lind-Ritzville/Sprague 54-15 in the 2B state quarterfinals, the Loggers are headed to the semifinals for the second-straight time.

Using their patented three-pronged rushing attack, the fifth-seeded Loggers racked up 600 rushing yards to upset the fourth-seeded Broncos. 

Fullback Marshall Haight exploded for 228 rushing yards and three TDs, Kolby Mozingo added 158 yards and two touchdowns and Gunnar Talley tacked on 114 yards and a score.

Though it was technically considered an upset, the Loggers did what everyone in Lewis, Thurston and Cowlitz counties knew they would. If it hadn’t been for the most brutal 2B schedule in the state, which resulted in five losses, Onalaska could have easily earned a first-round by in the state tourney.

Instead, after losses to Class 1A’s No 3 Lynden Christian and No. 6 Tenino, Class 2B’s No. 1 Kalama and No. 2 Napavine, and Oregon’s Class 3A Rainier, the Loggers played in the first round.

That resulted in a 62-8 pummeling of No. 12 River View last Saturday. Now, after defeating the Broncos, the Loggers are on a four-game win streak and are gunning to defend their 2019 state title.

Onalaska coach Mazen Saade is satisfied with how his team has responded after all they’ve been through this season.

“I’m so stinkin’ proud of these kids,” Saade said. “We couldn’t be more proud. Their resiliency and grittiness. It would have been real easy, after losing to Napavine, Tenino, LC, Kalama and Rainier, for these guys to tuck their tails. And they didn’t. They stuck around and worked and mastered their craft.”

The Loggers trailed 7-0 in the first quarter and then 15-8 in the second after the Broncos scored on a 49-yard halfback pass on third and 27. But Ony responded by reeling off six unanswered touchdowns to end the game.

The Loggers’ defense held the Broncos to just four first downs and 12 total rushing yards.

“Kudos to Lind-Ritzville’s staff,” Saade said. “They’re a good team and they’re young.”

Onalaska (7-5) now faces the winner of Kalama-Toledo in the state semifinals Nov. 27 at a time and location to be determined.