WashingtonPreps.com - Battle for the CWAC Looms Large Friday

October 7, 2009

Brad Champoux
Special to WashingtonPreps.com

The undefeated and #1 ranked Ellensburg Bulldogs travel to Prosser Friday night to battle the #6 ranked Mustangs at Art Fiker Stadium.

The Bulldogs have cruised through the first half of the season, outscoring their opponents 236-43. Their only real test came in a week 1 match up with 2A stronghold Pullman, they won a good battle on the road 33-14.

Ellensburg has been paced this year by 3rd year starting quarterback Ethan Sterkel who has completed 91 of 115 passes for 1523 yards
and 16 touchdowns. His 79 percent completion rate is almost unheard of in any football ranks.

Sterkels favorite target all season and last,
has been Junior wide receiver Kramer Ferrell. Ferrell has reeled in 44 passes for 802 yards and 9 scores so far this year. Ellensburg also features the CWAC's #3 receiver in Adam Haberman and standout tight end Blaze Affholter. Blaze is the son of Ellensburg head coach Randy Affholter.

He was an all-league performer at center last year and moved into the tight end spot this season. While the Dogs are definitely a pass happy ball club, they were able to get the ground game going last week in an easy win over Quincy. Conner Meehan carried 6 times for 74 yards and 4 touchdowns. Mike Mckinney is another primary running back for the Burg.

Prosser comes into the showdown with a 4-1 record, suffering a tough week 3 setback to Othello 30-14. The Mustangs have bounced back with convincing wins over East Valley and Toppenish. They have outscored their opponents 162-76 on the season thus far.

The injury bug bit the Stangs in week 1, losing standout all-league offensive lineman Kody Hartley a 6'-6" 275 pound senior to a shoulder injury, though there is a slight chance he could return this week.

Prosser has been led this year by the outstanding line play of 2 time all-state lineman Nate Meeske. Sophomore running back Isaac Anderson has followed Meeske and company to amass 655 yards and 6 touchdowns on the ground. Junior quarterback TJ Finn has hit on 49 of 78 passes for 598 yards and 7 touchdowns. Finn is the #2 ranked passer in the CWAC behind Sterkel.

The number 2 ranked receiver in the conference behind Ferrell is Prosser
junior wideout Dominic Garza. Dominic has caught 28 balls for 510 yards and 7 touchdowns. Wide Receiver Matt Young is another top threat for the Mustangs, he has caught 12 passes for 99 yards and 1 touchdown, but he is also a very dangerous return man as well.

While Ellensburg looks to be the favorite on paper, Prosser does have home field advantage and if the Mustangs have any hope of keeping their league title streak in tact they must win this game. The Mustangs have won 21 of the last 22 league titles and 6 in a row, including all 3 in the CWAC since they
joined in '06. Ironically the last time Ellensburg beat Prosser was in '02, the only season the Stangs didn't win the league championship.

Good luck to both talented ball clubs and to a hard fought, fun ball game under the lights on Friday night!

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