Moses Lake vs Post Falls Football Preview: Elijah Burns and the 3-1 Mavericks Head to Idaho
The Friday night lights are stretching across state lines for Week 5 as Moses Lake vs Post Falls football takes center stage. On Friday, October 2, at 7:00 p.m., the Mavericks will travel to Idaho for a compelling cross-border clash that pits one of Washington’s most explosive offenses against a Trojans program that is far more dangerous than their record suggests.
The Mavericks Look Unstoppable
Sitting at 3-1, the Moses Lake Mavericks look like the undisputed team to beat in the Big 9 Conference. They enter Week 5 looking poised for a deep postseason run, boasting a roster loaded with talent.
That talent was on full display last week when Moses Lake marched into the Apple Bowl and dismantled a good, previously undefeated Wenatchee Panthers squad 58-22. The Mavericks’ offense was incredibly physical, imposing their will in the trenches and controlling the tempo of the game.
The undeniable centerpiece of that offense is senior running back Elijah Burns, who has firmly established himself as one of the best players in the entire state of Washington. Burns is coming off a staggering, career-defining performance against Wenatchee, setting a new school record with 309 rushing yards on 26 carries. He added 20 receiving yards on 6 receptions and found the end zone for 4 total touchdowns.
While Burns handled business on offense, Ryder Janke was the defensive player of the game. Janke wreaked havoc in the trenches all night, disrupting Wenatchee’s rhythm and proving that the Mavericks are just as physical on the defensive side of the ball.
Post Falls: A Battle-Tested Underdog
Looking at the standings, the Post Falls Trojans sit at 0-5, but don’t let that record deceive you. This is no cakewalk. The Trojans have navigated a brutal schedule and have remained competitive in nearly every contest. Just last week, they gave the undefeated Eastmont Wildcats a serious run for their money before Eastmont inevitably pulled away late in the game.
The Trojans have employed two quarterbacks this season, with senior Philip Schmitt and junior Griffin Carpenter sharing the load under center. When they go to the air, wide receiver Cody Matthews is the primary target, currently leading the receiving corps with 36.4 yards per game. On the ground, running back Kason Foreman handles the heavy lifting, averaging 27.0 rushing yards per contest.
On defense, Post Falls flashes potential. Junior linebacker Jackson Harvey is an absolute tackling machine, leading the unit with an impressive 12.4 tackles per game. Up front, senior Andrew Zazuetta is a nightmare for opposing offensive lines, already racking up a team-high 5 sacks on the season.
What to Watch Friday Night
This game will be decided in the trenches. Can Zazuetta and the Post Falls defensive front find a way to slow down the historic, physical rushing attack of Elijah Burns? If the Trojans can force Moses Lake into long third downs, they have a chance to make this a battle. If Moses Lake’s offensive line dominates the point of attack like they did in Wenatchee, the Mavericks will be very difficult to stop.
Stay locked into the action all season long. Head over to our Moses Lake Mavericks Football hub for the latest team coverage.