Kennewick-Kamiakin showdown will be battle of 2 of WA’s best high school football teams

Jeff Morrow

For decades since the 1970s, Kennewick versus Kamiakin has been a tremendous football rivalry.

From Kamiakin’s Keith Paine, Dan Purple, Craig Beverlin to Scott Biglin, the Braves have produced some tough teams.

Meanwhile, Kennewick’s big run in this rivalry started with Ed Troxel, who arrived in 1978 to turn the Lions into a powerhouse. Ted Homme added to it, as did Bill Templeton.

Now Randy Affholter is taking his turn.

He and Biglin will bring their teams to Lampson Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday for a major showdown.

Kennewick comes in with a 3-0 record (2-0 Mid-Columbia Conference) as visitors, while Kamiakin is 2-1 (2-0 in MCC play).

The host Braves have the No. 3-ranked offense in the MCC and are averaging 372 yards a game, while the Lions are No. 4 at 348 a game.

Kamiakin will boast running back Makram Altahir, who leads the MCC in rushing at 379 yards.

Kamiakin running back Makram Altahir (4) cuts away from defenders behind the block by his teammate David Kuku during their game against the Moses Lake Mavericks at Lampson Stadium in Kennewick.
Kamiakin running back Makram Altahir (4) cuts away from defenders behind the block by his teammate David Kuku during their game against the Moses Lake Mavericks at Lampson Stadium in Kennewick.

Trent Woodhouse is the No. 3 passer in the league, completing 48 of 90 attempts for 584 yards and 6 touchdowns.

His top receiver is Gavyn Buchanan, who has 16 receptions for 187 yards.

Ambrose Driver is Kennewick’s quarterback. He’s currently No. 5 among QBs, going 29-for-44 for 533 yards passing, and 10 TD passes against one interception.

His top receiver is senior David Wacenske. His 13 catches for 269 yards and 6 touchdowns rank him second in the MCC.

Rushing-wise, the Lions have a 1-2 combo of Canaan Hays (24 carries, 211 yards) and Alex Roberts (26-205) that put them at 5 and 6, respectively, in the MCC.

While those numbers are good, it’s defense where both teams shine: The Braves are the top-ranked defense in the MCC, averaging just 186 yards surrendered. The Lions are No. 2 with justly 193 yards a game.

Something is going to have to give Friday night.

Other key games this weekend (7 p.m. Friday kickoff unless otherwise noted):

  • Southridge (0-3) at Hermiston (2-1): The host Bulldogs are vying for a Class 3A state tourney berth; the visiting Suns are looking to get their first win.

  • Walla Walla (0-3) at Pasco (1-2): Host Bulldogs have legitimate shot at being at .500 after Week 4.

  • Hanford (0-3) at Mountain View (2-1), 4:30 p.m., Friday: Visiting Falcons step out of MCC play looking for their first win in Vancouver.

  • Touchet (2-1) vs. Liberty Christian (3-0), Hanford High: Visiting RedHawks a bit of a surprise so far. Can they stop host Patriots, one of the best 8-man teams in the state?

  • Columbia-Burbank (2-1) at Goldendale (2-1): Visiting Coyotes looking to win three in a row before 2B EWAC play begins.

  • La Center (3-0) at Connell (1-2): Host Eagles continue tough non-league schedule against state-ranked Wildcats.

  • Prosser (2-1) at Aberdeen (2-1), 6 p.m., Friday: Mustangs make very long road trip to take on Wildcats.

  • River View (2-1) at Kittitas (0-2): Visiting Panthers look to get back on winning track with Friday road trip.

  • Royal (3-0) at Lynden Christian (2-1), 2 p.m., Saturday: Knights and Lyncs are two of the state’s best Class 1A teams. Lance Allred has been Mr. Everything for Royal at quarterback.

Western Hockey League

As the Tri-City Americans prepare for their Western Hockey League season opener — they open Friday at Prince George; home opener is Oct. 7 against Everett — they made a trade on Tuesday.

The Ams picked up defenseman Pasha Bocharov from Medicine Hat for a fourth-round pick in the 2025 draft.

The 6-foot, 185-pound Bocharov has played with both Saskatoon and Medicine Hat, tallying up 147 WHL games with 14 goals, 27 assists and 94 penalty minutes.

It looked like Bocharov might have been the odd man out for the Tigers on the defensive set. There just wasn’t room for him there. So he becomes a key pickup for the Americans, adding to their defensive depth.

College football

Kamiakin grad Luis Salgado continues to impress for the Whitworth football team.

Salgado, a sophomore running back for the Pirates, scored on an 8-yard run with 6:30 to play to give Whitworth its first lead of the game in a 24-17 victory on the road against Chapman University.

Salgado finished with 95 yards rushing on 18 carries.

For his efforts, he was named the Northwest Conference Offensive Football Player of the Week.

Defensively, DT JT Munoz had had 4 tackles (1 for loss) for the Pirates , who are 3-0.

Basketball

Chiawana junior Kaia Foster has received an offer to play women’s basketball for the University of Tulsa.

College baseball

Devyn Hernandez (Chiawana) is headed to Cal State San Bernardino to play baseball this next spring. Hernandez, a pitcher, tossed 46.1 innings, striking out 50 batters, and had an earned run average of 3.50 for Spokane Community College this past spring.

Jeff Morrow is former sports editor for the Tri-City Herald.

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