Badgers football delivers a shutout win

PRIEST RIVER — The Bonners Ferry varsity football team continued its strong defensive play and improved on offense in a 45-0 nonconference win at Priest River on Friday, Sept. 4.

Sophomore quarterback Teigan Banning threw for three touchdowns, and fellow sophomore Blake Rice caught a touchdown pass, threw a touchdown pass, and returned an interception for another touchdown.

Rice scored first with a 10-yard touchdown, followed by Connor Callahan with a 22-yard catch that led to a touchdown. Badgers junior Eli Richards had two TD receptions, one of 48 yards and another for 30 yards.

Bonners Ferry's final touchdown was from Nathaniel Varelman, who helped bring the final total to 45 points.

Among the standouts was kicker Sky Reinhardt, who made four extra-point kicks and even ran the ball in for a two-point conversion. Reinhardt also kicked a 42-yard field goal that had the home team announcers in awe and excitement.

The varsity defense did build upon the previous week and delivered a substantial showing of force that led to a complete shutout against Priest River.

On defense, Wilson Newell and Nathaniel Varelman quickly set the game pace with their multiple tackles; and on special teams, Newell gained 85 yards on three punt returns.

After watching the game’s film, head coach Travis Hinthorn saw much improvement with the offense and defense from the previous week.

“While watching film, we noticed that our players are flying around a lot more on defense and getting more blocks downfield on offense.” Hinthorn said. “Those are some of the things we needed to improve on.”

The Badgers' junior varsity also scored a big win, topping the Spartans 60-0.

Bonners Ferry will host Kellogg High School on Friday at 7 p.m. The Wildcats are 1-0 after opening the season with a convincing win at Priest River.