Badger Varsity goes down to Cardinals 28-12
Two big plays made all the difference in what was an exciting game on the road for the Badger varsity.
One long kickoff return and an interception for a score by the Cardinals spoiled the plans of the upset-minded Badgers.
In the first quarter, the matchup seemed equal on both sides of the ball with each team driving the leather for scores. Medical Lake scored first and converted for one on the PAT. Tailback Zachary Wilson carried the skin through the red zone for the Badgers first six, but the team failed in their attempt to convert for the two pointer.
At this juncture it was Medical Lake 7-6 over the Badgers.
After the Blue Pride scored, Alex Garcia kicked off to the Cards 32-yard line. The Cardinal returner broke to the right sideline and went untouched for 68 yards and the score. The PAT kick sailed wide left and the Cards pulled ahead by one TD.
The two teams battled back and forth for the remainder of the first half and went to the locker rooms with the score of 13-6 in favor of Medical Lake.
The second half saw the Blue Pride come out determined to even the contest. The defense appeared to have the Cardinals in check until a Medical Lake slant pass towards the middle of the field went for 39 yards and the TD. The PAT kick was good. giving the Cards a 20-6 lead.
The Badgers did not give up and continued to fight for the remainder of the third period. Early into the fourth quarter the Blue Pride gave up another TD on an interception to the Medical Lake team.
The Cardinals made the two-point conversion and the score now stood with the Badgers down 28 to 6. Late in the game the Blue Pride drove deep into Cardinal territory and on second down from the four yard line QB Christian Trocke handed off to fullback Matthew Hemslee who plowed into the end zone for the Badger score.
The attempt for the two pointer again failed. At the final gun the score was Medical Lake 28 and Bonners Ferry 12.
The score was not indicative of the level of play from the Badgers. The potent offensive attack of the Cardinals went for 318 total yards, however, only two of the Medical Lake tallies were actually allowed by the stout Badgers defense.
The Blue Pride defenders were led by Wilson who had seven solo and four assisted tackles, plus an interception for 14 yards.
Adam Lund contributed with four and four, and a fumble recovery. Garcia added three unassisted and one assist, with Carmen Krichbaum getting one solo and eight assists.
On the other side of the ball, Wilson carried 34 times for 185 yards averaging just over five yards per carry. The solid blocking of the offensive line was a great contributor to the total team rushing average of five yards per play. The Badgers are still plagued in the turnover department with three costly fumbles and three interceptions in this contest.
The Badgers next game is homecoming against Moscow on Friday, Sept. 30. Kick of is at 7 p.m. Come on out to see the game. Go blue pride.