Badgers fall short in battle with Bulldogs
SANDPOINT — Looking nothing like a winless team facing a returning state finalist from a classification above them, the 3A Badgers came out ready to pop the pads, taking an early lead against the 4A Bulldogs on Friday night in nonleague road football action at venerable Barlow Stadium.
But eventually the superior depth of the Bulldogs prevailed, as the Badgers lost 43-7 in the final game played in front of the 65 year-old bleachers, which were demolished on Tuesday. The Badgers have played more games at War Memorial Field than anyone but the Bulldogs, and seemed a fitting opponent on a special night.
The Badgers (0-4) came out playing some inspired football, taking the opening possession and methodically driving down the field, with quarterback Kaleb Stockton capping a five minute drive with a two-yard yard scoring plunge and early 7-0 lead. Nick Sabin gashed the Bulldog defense several times on sweeps, able to either get the edge or plant the foot and get up field for positive yards.
The Badgers earned the respect of Sandpoint (2-2) head coach George Yarno with some physical play on both sides of the ball.
“I want to thank the Badgers for coming down and playing us. The first game ever here was Sandpoint and Bonners Ferry,” said Bulldogs new head coach George Yarno, who earned his first home win. “We’re a bigger school with more kids. They gave us one heck of a game.”
Sandpoint missed a field goal on their first drive, then Stockton was intercepted by Nick Holland, who made a diving interception to get his team the ball back. Robbie Johnson then found T.J. Davis for a 41 yard strike on the ensuing play, tying the game at 7-7.
Sandpoint senior cornerback Cole Hooper added an interception on the next drive, returning the ball to the two yard line, where Johnson called his own number and scored on a keeper to make it 14-7.
Led by some power-packed hits by safety Issac Lavala and linebacker Matt Varelman, the Badgers defense was one big fourth down stop away from essentially holding a strong 4A offense to one touchdown in the first half.
Late in the second quarter Davis made huge play on fourth down, reaching behind himself to snag a pass for an 11 yard score, and a 21-7 lead heading into half.
With much more depth, it was only a matter of time before the Bulldogs wore the Badgers down. Austin Greene and Jacob Cometto each scored their first touchdowns of the season, and Levi Irish, who carried 24 times for a bruising 225 yards, added the final score late in the game.
“We got things rolling in the second half. We can start to wear people down with our numbers,” claimed Yarno, whose team struggled at times, especially with penalties. “We had some adversity. Most of all the kids had fun and got a win on Homecoming.”
Sabin and Evan Wasmere carried the load offensively by combining for 155 of the 177 yards from scrimmage in the loss.
The Badgers, who play an especially salty nonleague schedule for a 3A program, will look to find the win column when they host another strong opponent when Pullman comes to town on Friday night.
Pullman (2-1) beat 4A Inland Empire League team Moscow 52-7 last week. The tough seasoning figures to pay dividends when the Badger get into league play and start picking on schools their own size.
Bonners Ferry 7 0 0 0 — 7
Sandpoint 14 7 7 15 — 43
BF — Kaleb Stockton 2 run (Stockton kick)
Spt — T.J. Davis 41 catch from Robbie Johnson (Sawyer Seley kick)
Spt — Johnson 2 run (Seley kick)
Spt — Davis 11 catch from Johnson (Seley kick)
Spt — Austin Greene 2 catch (Seley kick)
Spt — Jacob Cometto 2 run (Seley kick)
Spt — Levi Irish 2 run (Walker Jacobson catch from Nick Holland)
SHS BF
First Downs
15 7
Yds Rushing
38-294 39-173
Passing Yards
221 7
QB
17-25 1-4
Interceptions
0 3
3Punts-Ave
1-61 4-34
Penalties
11-115 8-50
SHS Rushing: Levi Irish 24-225, Jacob Cometto 8-34, Walker Jacobson 2-7, Robbie Johnson 3-9, Andrew Webster 1-19
SHS Receiving: Andrew Webster 1-5, Austin Greene 2-26, Taran McLaughlin 6-84, Spencer Bassett 4-33 Julian Barajas 2-21, TJ Davis 2-52
SHS Returns: KOR Walker Jacobson 1-11, PR Clayton Fournier 2-7
BF Rushing: Nick Sabin 16-82, Evan Wasmere 11-73, Kaleb Stockton 6-(-3), Mat Varelman 3-12, Christ Sabin 2-9 Issac Lavala 1-0,
BF Receiving: Chris Sabin 1-7
BF Returns: Kevin Abel KOR 4-70.