Huge rally, OT heroics nets BFHS first victory

THOMPSON FALLS, Mont. — Bonners Ferry rallied from a 20-point deficit to force overtime, then completed a game-winning two-point conversion pass as the Badgers earned their first victory of the season, 28-26, on the road Friday.

The host Bluehawks scored three touchdowns in the opening quarter, but the next three quarters belonged to the Badgers (1-3) as they chipped away at the Thompson Falls lead.

Quarterback Chris Sabin had two rushing touchdowns and threw a 13-yard scoring pass to Jake Jelinek, leaving the score 20-20 at the end of regulation.

In overtime, Thompson Falls scored a touchdown but failed on the conversion. Bonners Ferry tied the score on a 10-yard Sabin run, then Sabin found Brady Bateman for the decisive two points.

Sabin finished the game with 204 yards passing and 92 yards rushing; Anthony Minor added 97 yards on the ground; and Bateman had seven catches for 116 yards to lead the Badger offense.

“We’re a young team this year and each week we go through growing pains,” Badgers coach Cory Kramer said. “The one thing these kids have is that ‘never give up’ attitude and as a coach that’s all you ask for!

“They’re getting better every week and we are definitely headed in the right direction.”

The Badgers face a long road trip this week, traveling to Pullman, Wash., for a 7 p.m. Friday game at Pullman HS.

Bonners Ferry 0 12 0 8 8 — 28

Thompson Falls 20 0 0 0 6 — 26

Bonners Ferry statistics

RUSHING: Sabin 92 yards, Minor 17-97, Varelman 6-33, Bateman 5-31.

PASSING: Sabin 13-23, 204 yards

RECEIVING: Bateman 7-116, Walker 3-27, Jelinek 2-28, Novak 1-25, Durette 1-8.