Bonners middle school ready for win defeats Timberlake
On Oct. 18 Boundary County Middle School seventh and eighth grade football teams traveled to Timberlake to play.
The seventh grade had lost 19 to 6 in their first game of the season and were very determined to beat Timberlake.
The Badgers took the opening kickoff and drove inside the 10-yard line but turned the ball over on downs.
On the next play Mason Kelson and Caleb Harrington combined on a safety by tackling the Timberlake running back in the end zone for a 2 to 0 lead. After the kickoff Bonners would drive the ball to a first and goal.
On fourth and goal from the 10 yard-line quarterback Kaleb Stockton threw a pass to Andrew Clarkson for 6. The PAT was blocked and Bonners led 8 to 0.
Later in the first quarter Bonners would drive inside the 10-yard line again on the backs of Nick Sabin and Matthew Varelman. Varelman providing the blocking and Sabin some very tough running. Stockton would score on a keeper over the right side from five yards out.
In the third quarter Bonners stopped Timberlake on the opening drive and drove the ball again. Sabin would score on an eight yard run and the badgers were up 20 to 0.
Kelson would end the scoring in the fourth quarter by scoring on a four yard run. A key pass reception on fourth and 12 by Ethan Wilson kept the drive going. Final score Bonners 26 Timberlake 0.
The eighth grade team came out fired up too and were out to avenge a 6 to 0 loss to Timberlake.
Both teams played very good defense in the first half. Tanner Lierman, Davis Merrifield, Gabe Hubbard and Chad Guthrie were all instrumental in holding Timberlake to no points in the first half. The half ended tied at 0.
Timberlake would take over in the third quarter and score two touchdowns. Timberlake added another touchdown in the fourth and won 18 to 0.
On Oct. 20 both teams hosted Priest River in the last games of the season.
The seventh graders were out to avenge another loss.
Priest River had beaten Bonners 8 to 0 in their first meeting. Bonners came out fired up and drove the length of the field scoring on a five yard Nick Sabin run.
Kaleb Stockton would run in the PAT and Bonners led 7 to 0. Priest River would drive the ball to the Badger 20 where the badgers would take over on a Stockton interception. Bonners would drive inside the 10-yard line. Nick Sabin fumbled into the end zone and Matt Brown would recover for the touchdown and a 13 to 0 lead.
Bonners kept Priest River at bay with good defense. A key interception by Sabin and good tackling by Matthew Varelman, Jesse Dunham and Mason Kelson helped the Badger defensive effort. Bonners would end the scoring in the 3rd quarter with a Sabin 10 yard run and a final score of Bonners 19 Priest River 0. The seventh graders finished 2 -5 and were greatly improved by the end of the year.
The eighth graders started fast and furious against Priest River. Anyone who missed the first quarter missed the game.
Collin Vickers would begin the scoring with a six yard run and Jason Shutes kicked the extra point for an 8 to 0 lead.
Bonners would force a turnover and Shutes hit Logan Bennett for a 35 yard touchdown pass. Shutes added the PAT and Bonners led 16 to 0. Priest River would fumble on the ensuing kickoff and Vickers picked up the ball and ran 35 yards for another Badgers score. With the PAT Bonners was up 24 to 0. Priest River would score on a 65 yard trap play to get on the board 24 to 6.
Still in the first quarter Bonners drove inside the 10 and scored on a Shutes option run of five yards. With the Shutes PAT the score was 32 to 6 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter Bradley Nance added a 15 yard run for a score to make it 40 to 6 at halftime.
In the third quarter linemen Eduardo Perez and Mitch Kramer each got to run the ball. Dylan Unruh scored on and 85 yard touchdown run to end the scoring.
The final score was Badgers 48 Priest River 6.
Both the seventh and eighth grade improved a lot during the season.
Coach Don Alt said they were very fun groups to coach.