Almira / Coulee-Hartline (ACH) High School will compete against Quilcene High School in the 1B Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) Gridiron Classic: State Football Finals on Saturday.

ACH is 11-0 so far this season and easily races past any opponent. The smallest point gap it has seen this year is 30-point wins over Odessa and Wilbur / Creston-Keller high schools. The biggest win was against Columbia High School (Hunters) 66-0. In the playoffs, ACH beat Wilbur / Creston-Keller 46-16 and Naselle High School 68-32.

ACH has won six state championships under different school names. First in 1974, then 1985, 1990, 2007, 2015 and most recently in 2017.

Head coach Brandon Walsh said a season highlight was beating Odessa High School, a huge rival as his team hasn’t beaten them since 2015 and Odessa has been national champions for the past two years.

“It was a cool confidence boost,” said Walsh.

Walsh said he was looking forward to playing another game with his team. He explained that climaxing at the right time was a goal of the season, and the final game against Naselle in the semifinals was ACH’s most complete game to date.

The senior Dane Isaak and Grady Murray were unstoppable in the game against Nasalle, he said. The two were responsible for eight of the nine touchdowns. Even the only touchdown, not from Isaak or Murray, was a direct result of an 18-yard pass from Murray.

“We look forward to the challenge,” said Walsh.

And because it’s the national championship, he knows that the other team will do their best.

Walsh said Quilcene has a very large running back who will be their biggest concern.

“We have to go really hard and get our pace to work,” said Walsh.

The championship game will take place on Saturday lunchtime at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma.

“I’ve been doing this for a long time. If, despite the result, we play hard and perform well, I’m proud of the team, ”said Walsh.

Get Monday’s edition of the Columbia Basin Herald for the results and a recap of the game.

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