By Matt Maizel
Cheesemakers football stays undefeated in league play, and will improve to 3-0 (5-2 overall) in 2022 after dismantling the winless Astoria Fishermen (0-3 in League, 0-7 overall) in front of their home crowd at CMH Field last Friday night.
The Mooks spread offense ran the ball early and often, storming down the field on their first possession. Junior Tanner Hoskins capped off the opening drive with a two yard touchdown on a quarterback draw. The PAT was good to give the Cheesemakers the early 7-0 lead. Astoria’s offense came out with a similar spread attack, but a quick 3-and-out forced the Fishermen to punt on their first possession. Tillamook took over on their own 20 yard line after a touchback.
Quarterback Tanner Hoskins threw a 12 yard touchdown dart to senior wideout Parker McKibbin on the following drive to build on their lead. It was 14-0 with a minute to go in the first after the successful PAT. Astoria was able to answer early in the second quarter with a 51 yard touchdown strike through the air by senior quarterback Niko Boudreau to get on the scoreboard 14-7 after the successful PAT. Tillamook then put together another nice drive, marching down the field on their next possession with a combination attack of running and passing, only to cough the football up on Astoria’s 20 yard line. Astoria’s offense was unable to find traction, and punted it away to only midfield. The Cheesemakers took advantage of the short field, dialing up another pass for a 21 yard gain to senior running back Gilbert Whitlatch to get into scoring position. Tanner Hoskins then cashed in his second passing touchdown of the day with a laser to senior wideout Zeyon Hurliman on a play that had the Fishermen scrambling – it was 20-7 after the unsuccessful PAT. An illegal substitution penalty blemished Astoria’s next promising drive and they were unable to convert on the 4th and long situation, handing the ball back to the sizzling Tillamook offense. However, the Mooks might have gotten just a little bit too greedy shortly before halftime, as Astoria capitalized on the erratic pass with an interception. They were ultimately unable to turn the mistake into points, and their final drive stalled out on 4th down again before halftime.
The Fishermen would receive the second half kick, only to find themselves in another 3-and-out situation. The Mooks had possession, and Tanner Hoskins began to take matters into his own hands, finding the endzone on another scramble. The trick two point play was no good and the score was 26-7 at this point in the third quarter. Gilbert Whitlatch doesn’t just make big plays on offense, he makes big plays on defense, too, catching a tip interception to have the Mooks takeover again on the opposing 35 yard line. Tanner Hoskins would eventually find the endzone on a quarterback read for his third rushing touchdown on the day and fifth overall. Tillamook was sitting on a comfortable lead – 33-7 after the PAT was good. The Fishermen just couldn’t find any consistent offense this game, and Tillamook was then able to lean on their running attack to milk much of the clock out. Back-up quarterback Seth Wehinger would enter the game and get a rushing touchdown of his own, as Tillamook ran away with this one 40-7.
The Cheesemakers will look to build on this win as they prepare to battle Scappoose for the Mooks’ first home game and the league crown this Friday (10/21/22) @ 7:00 p.m.
