SPOKANE -- The Yakima Mavericks inched closer to matching the program's best start with a patient 26-16 victory against the State Line Miners on Saturday at North Central High School.

Jesse Cardenas scored rushing touchdowns of 4 and 5 yards to go with Micha Noble's 15-yard plunge to start the scoring for Yakima. Maverick quarterback James Phillips continued his EFL Offensive MVP campaign with 17-for-29 passing for 240 yards and one touchdown.

Yakima (6-0 in league) improves to 8-0 overall and needs only a win against Bellingham next Saturday to match the inaugural start of 9-0. A win in the final two weeks against either Bellingham of Blue Mountain also would lock up at least the No. 2 seed to the EFL playoffs.

State Line 3 0 7 6 -- 16

Yakima 6 6 7 7 -- 26

SL -- FG unreported

Yak -- Micha Noble 15 run (kick blocked)

Yak -- Jake Viveros 5 pass from James Phillips (pass failed)

Yak -- Jesse Cardenas 4 run (Alex Mahre kick)

SL -- Unreported 12 run

Yak -- Cardenas 5 run (Mahre kick)

SL -- Unreported 2 run

YAKIMA INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING -- Jesse Cardenas 6-32.

PASSING -- James Phillips 17-29-1 240.

RECEIVING -- Alex Mahre 5-95.