The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - The WP Cardinals made their homecoming game exciting for the first three quarters before erupting for 21 unanswered points to put away league rival Tri-Cities Prep, 45-28. A red-hot Jacob Dunn was 25 for 39 passing, for 329 yards and five touchdowns.

With a 1-0 league record, the Cardinals host 1-0 DeSales this week to determine who goes into the final week of the season with the league lead. The Irish knocked off Asotin 13-9 in Walla Walla Friday night.

The Cardinals took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter on a Luke Alexenko 4-yard pass reception from Dunn. In the second quarter, after TCP tied the score, a 20-yard Antonio Benito Field Goal and another Dunn to Alexenko connection, this time for 27 yards, put the Cards up 17-7. The Jaguars scored once more before the half to make it a three-point game at the intermission.

In the third quarter, the teams traded touchdowns - Dunn hitting Talen Larsen for a 25-yard TD reception - and the margin remained three points after three.

Dunn completed his touchdown cavalcade with a 40-yard scoring completion to Alexenko and a 13- yard toss to Devin Acevedo. For the Cardinals' final score, Jason Carter intercepted a Jaguar pass and ran it back 35 yards for the score.

On the night, Benito was 6-6 in PAT attempts to go along with his field goal.

"I felt that overall this was our best effort of the season," said Cardinal Coach Jeff Bartlow. "We played hard and made plays. The game was a three point game in the middle of the fourth quarter (24-21) and then we took over. It was nice to see our guys finish."

Above left: WP Kicker Antonio Benito was nearly tackled by a homecoming banner as he ran out on the field for Friday's homecoming game. Above right: Cardinal quarterback Jacob Dunn looks for a receiver as he's pursued by Jaguar pass rushers.

Of Dunn, Bartlow said, "He had his best day as a Cardinal starter at QB. found people in space, moved in the pocket well and just played a very good game. He was calm and did not get rattled and that is who he is and we feel good about his progress." The Cardinals spread out their running attack, with Travis Crockett (49 yards), Kobie Brown (41 yards) and Owen Lanning (32 yards) all getting good yardage. Alexenko had a career night, with 11 receptions for 198 yards and three touchdowns on offense. He also had two interceptions on defense. In all, the cardinals picked off five Jaquar passes. found people in space, moved in the pocket well and just played a very good game. He was calm and did not get rattled and that is who he is and we feel good about his progress."

The Cardinals spread out their running attack, with Travis Crockett (49 yards), Kobie Brown (41 yards) and Owen Lanning (32 yards) all getting good yardage. Alexenko had a career night, with 11 receptions for 198 yards and three touchdowns on offense. He also had two interceptions on defense. In all, the cardinals picked off five Jaquar passes.