Chewelah Wins Home Opener With Air Assault

Chewelah picked up its first victory of the season in convincing fashion, using an explosive passing attack and a strong defensive effort to defeat visiting Tekoa-Rosalia 32-16 at home. The Cougars improved to 1-2 on the season after controlling the game from the opening quarter and building an 18-point lead before Tekoa-Rosalia finally found the end zone in the fourth. Quarterback Patrick McGuire led the way for Chewelah, completing 13 of 18 passes for 255 yards and four touchdowns while also adding a rushing score.

His favorite target was Wyatt McCanna, who hauled in seven passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns. Brody King added three receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown. Chewelah set the tone early, jumping out to a 12-0 advantage by the end of the first quarter. The Cougars’ defense made sure that lead held up. Tekoa-Rosalia was kept off the scoreboard throughout the first half and third quarter as Chewelah continued to control the game on both sides of the ball. Chewelah carried an 18-0 advantage into the fourth quarter before Tekoa-Rosalia finally broke through, cutting the margin to 18-8 with about seven minutes remaining.

Rather than allowing the visitors to build momentum, the Cougars answered. Chewelah scored two more touchdowns to push its advantage to 32-8 with 3:46 remaining and effectively put the game away. Tekoa-Rosalia added a late touchdown to account for the final 32-16 margin. McGuire and McCanna provided the biggest offensive connection of the night. McCanna accounted for more than half of Chewelah’s passing yardage and caught three of McGuire’s four touchdown throws. King contributed on both sides of the football.

In addition to catching a touchdown pass, he recorded an interception for the Cougar defense. Hayden Strong also came away with an interception after Wyatt Gould tipped the pass, highlighting a defensive performance that kept Tekoa-Rosalia scoreless through the first three quarters. Chewelah also consistently created problems in the Tekoa-Rosalia backfield, recording several tackles for loss during the game.

After opening the season with back-to-back losses, the Cougars now have something to build on following their first victory of the year. With McGuire directing an efficient passing game, McCanna producing a breakout receiving performance and the defense forcing turnovers, Chewelah put together its most complete performance of the young season in front of its home crowd.