Davis vs Moses Lake Football Preview: Pirates Travel to Face the High-Powered Mavericks
The Friday night lights are shining bright for a pivotal Week 6 Big 9 matchup as Davis vs. Moses Lake football takes center stage. On Friday, October 9, at 7:00 p.m., the Davis Pirates will line up across from an absolute powerhouse in the Moses Lake Mavericks.
Both programs are looking to establish their footing as we cross the midway point of the 2026 season, with every game Moses Lake plays having postseason implications.
The Mavericks: An Offensive Juggernaut
Moses Lake enters Week 6 continuing to look like the team to beat in Central Washington. Under the guidance of first-year head coach Kyler Haneberg, the Mavericks’ offense has even managed to be historic, in some regards.
They are headlined by senior running back Elijah Burns, who is firmly cementing his legacy as one of the best players in the state. Burns recently set a school record with a staggering 309-yard rushing performance, proving he can break open a game on any given snap. Orchestrating the offense is junior quarterback Nolan Decubber, who has seamlessly stepped into the starting role behind a physical offensive line anchored by Reese Porter, a team Captain who was First Team All-Conference last season.
Moses Lake was dominant last week against the Post Falls Trojans, jumping out to a 28-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. They ended up shutting them out 63-0, marking their third straight 50-plus point outburst. Quarterback Nolan Decubber was electric, throwing for 328 yards and seven touchdowns. Star running back Elijah Burns had another 100-yard game, this time on just 16 carries, finishing with 111 total rushing yards and 1 rushing touchdown, alongside 43 receiving yards on 6 catches. Senior Taggart Rathbun had six receptions for 134 yards and a touchdown. Moses Lake also unveiled freshman Romeo Moreno-Jackson, who had 3 receptions for 70 yards, including two receiving touchdowns in his first start. The fact that a freshman is able to make this team, considering how talented they are, is incredibly impressive, and we look forward to covering his career with the Mavs. The defense was dominant all night, with lineman Ryder Janke being awarded MaxPreps defensive player of the game for the second week in a row.
The Pirates: Battle-Tested and Resilient
This is a gritty, battle-tested squad that has proven they can be competitive. Led by Head Coach Jay Dumas—a seasoned offensive mind with Division 1 coaching experience—the Pirates have shown incredible resilience in the face of heartbreak.
Davis has been on the wrong side of multiple one-possession nail-biters this season, including a grueling one-point loss and a tight six-point defeat. However, they also know how to win in the clutch, highlighted by an emotional double-overtime victory against their arch-rival Eisenhower earlier this year.
Quarterback Nigel Hernandez has been a bright spot for the Pirates, displaying toughness and the ability to make high-pressure throws. He threw two touchdown passes early in their home game against the Wenatchee Panthers last week, but unfortunately for the Pirates, they wouldn’t score again, thanks to a stellar defensive performance from the Panthers. Wenatchee would go on to win the game 57-12.
What to Watch Under the Lights
The blueprint for this Davis vs. Moses Lake football clash comes down to the trenches and tempo. If Davis wants to compete, they will need to have long, sustained drives and run off clock. If Moses Lake’s offensive line establishes dominance early, it could be a long night for the visiting Pirates.
Stay locked into the action all season long. Head over to our Davis Pirates Football hub or Moses Lake Mavericks Football hub for the latest team coverage, standings, and game recaps.