Shutout loss ends Badgers season

BY JORDAN RODRIGUEZ

Special to the Herald

FRUITLAND — No team has ever played a perfect game.

Saturday afternoon in the 3A state playoff opener, the Fruitland Grizzlies gave it their best shot. The Grizzlies (8-1 overall) were explosive on offense, stifling on defense and opportunistic on special teams, rolling to a 50-0 victory over Bonners Ferry (4-5) Saturday.

"We came to play today," Fruitland coach Bruce Schlaich said. "The defense played extremely well and we were able to capitalize on their mistakes."

Aaron Smith ran for 130 yards and two TDs for the Grizzlies, spearheading a balanced rushing attack that saw six different backs carry the ball at least seven times.

Jake Fabricius added 49 yards and a pair of scores for the Grizzlies, who amassed 326 yards on the ground and six rushing TDs.

"I was pleased with how we ran the ball," Schlaich said. "We've got five or six guys who can run the ball, and they do a great job of sharing, blocking for each other and carrying out fakes."

When Bonners Ferry did have the ball, it had a tough time doing anything with it. Six of the Badgers' 10 possessions ended in punts, three were halted by turnovers and the other resulted in a safety on a bad punt snap. The Badgers finished with 89 yards.

"Fruitland is a very good football team," Bonners Ferry head coach Caleb Arceneaux said. "They are a better football team than we are, but not 50-0 better. We did not play well."

After the opening quarter, the outcome of the game was never in doubt. Fabricius scored two early touchdowns to give the Grizzlies the lead, and Fruitland tacked on the safety and TD runs by Caleb Crim and Kole Olinger for a 30-0 lead at the break.

"They ran the ball very well," Arceneaux said of Fruitland. "Their running backs have great speed, good size and good vision."

Bonners Ferry had a couple of good drives, but couldn't capitalize, Arceneaux said. He said Jeff Howard and John Heigel both had good games for the Badgers. Co-Intermountain League defensive player of the year Kenny Swift also had a good game, Arceneaux said.

Nathan Bake scored on the first play of the second half, breaking a 78-yard kickoff return. Smith added runs of 83 and 23 yards in the third quarter.

"We ran into a very good football team playing at their home field and we did not play our best game," Arceneaux said.

Originally published by the Idaho Statesman, reprinted by permission. Bonners Ferry Herald Managing Editor Robert James contributed to this article.

Seven Badgers on all-league team

Kenny Swift and Jared Stone were named to the first team Intermountain League All-Conference team Monday. Swift, who made the first team as both a wide receiver and defensive back, earned co-defensive player of the year honors as well.

Stone made the team as an offensive and defensive lineman.

Five Badgers made the second team. A.J. Bennett (QB), Jozef Musial (OL), Josh Hawks (WR), John Heigel (RB) and Daniel Botkin (DB) earned spots on the team.

Bonners Ferry finished the regular season 4-4, including a 3-1 IML record. The team lost to Fruitland Saturday to end the season.