Early explosion leads Bombers past Post Falls
POST FALLS - Trojan fans enjoyed a postgame firework show to celebrate homecoming. But during the game, it was the visiting Richland (Wash.) Bombers who exploded for big plays.
Richland began the game with a 65-yard kickoff return, scored 21 first-quarter points and was never seriously threatened the rest of the way in a 42-13 win over Post Falls.
"We came out a little sleepy and they scored three quick ones on us," Trojans coach Jeff Hinz said. "They forced us to play catch-up a bit, but in the first three quarters, we had chances to get back in the ballgame. We just couldn't make the key play."
Anthony Galat's 65-yard return on the opening kickoff set the tone for Richland (6-1), and following Galat's two scoring runs, quarterback Zach Whitby found Payton Radliff up the right sideline for a 40-yard touchdown and a 21-0 lead.
Whitby threw for exactly 300 yards and two TDs for the Bombers, with six pass plays going for 20 or more yards. Radliff led the Richland receiving corps with four catches for 149 yards.
"Zach's a three-year starter, and we've got some receivers who know our system and do a good job in it," Bombers coach Mike Neidhold said.
Post Falls (4-4) recovered a bit in the second quarter, with a touchdown by Seth McLeod (104 yards rushing) pulling the Trojans within 21-6.
A Braden Davenport deflection on fourth-and-goal and Michael McKeown's interception kept Richland at bay in the second quarter.
The Trojans started the third quarter with a 17-play, 70-yard drive, but came away empty when a fourth-and-goal pass sailed high through the end zone.
Post Falls also lost starting quarterback Joey Pfennigs during the drive, on a play which resulted in a late-hit penalty. Hinz was unsure of Pfennigs' injury status after the game.
The Trojans managed 134 yards on the ground, much of it on a fourth-quarter scoring drive after Richland added three second-half touchdowns. Backup quarterback Dalton Thompson capped the scoring with a 1-yard run.
"I really respect Jeff Hinz and his program," Neidhold said. "We needed a good game and they added us to their schedule, and we had to play well and counter their adjustments tonight to get this win."
The Trojans travel to 5A Inland Empire League foe Lewiston next Friday.
Richland 21 0 7 14 - 42
Post Falls 0 6 0 7 - 13
Rich - Anthony Galat 6 run (Damien Ruiz kick)
Rich - Galat 1 run (Ruiz kick)
Rich - Payton Radliff 40 pass from Zach Whitby (Ruiz kick)
PF - Seth McLeod 2 run (run failed)
Rich - Hayden Whitby 5 pass from Z. Whitby (Ruiz kick)
Rich - Bennett Peterson 26 run (Ruiz kick)
Rich - Radliffe 72 pass from Taylor O'Toole (Ruiz kick)
PF - Dalton Thompson 1 run (Richie Hauser kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING - Rich, Galat 11-63, Peterson 5-38, Nathan Perry 4-5, Josh Phillips 2-1, Ryker Mackey 1-0, Jacob Heinan 1-(-1). PF, McLeod 20-104, Patrick Agueros 7-21, Joey Pfennigs 5-17, Michael McKeown 1-6, Thompson 7-2, Austin Jensen 2-1, team 1-(-17).
PASSING - Rich, Zach Whitby 19-30-300-1, O'Toole 1-2-72. PF, Pfennigs 4-12-49, Thompson 4-11-21-1.
RECEIVING - Rich, Radliff 4-149, Gibson McGeorge 3-74, Lakota Wills 3-40, Garrett March 2-36, Matthew Woodman 2-31, Hayden Whitby 2-14, Galat 2-11, Jacob Devries 1-15, Mason Nelson 1-2. PF, Braden Davenport 2-23, Alex Stroh 2-10, McKeown 1-19, McLeod 1-12, Nate Gomer 1-5, Jacob Koski 1-4.