University 37, Post Falls 27 Trojans falter late
POST FALLS - A great start only goes so far, as the Post Falls football team learned Friday night against University High of Spokane Valley.
The Trojans had success on the ground early and used big pass plays to keep their lead, but were dominated in the final period as the visiting Titans earned a 37-27 victory in a matchup of Greater Spokane and Inland Empire League teams.
"We had a good start, and that's been our M.O. for the first three games," Post Falls coach Jeff Hinz said. "Once again, we started well, but didn't finish.
"We had too many turnovers (four) and in key moments, didn't take advantage of our opportunities to change the flow of the game."
The Trojans (1-2) were in good shape through three quarters, taking a 27-22 lead on Collin Hildreth's second touchdown run late in the third period, then stopping U-High on a 3-and-out to end the quarter.
On the first play of the fourth, a Post Falls fumble after a reception gave the Titans (2-0) momentum, and quarterback Logan O'Neil threw the third of his four TD passes, hitting Tanner Chase just inside the end zone sideline for a 30-27 lead with 10:39 remaining.
U-High took command on its next series, as bruising running back Bryce Williamson broke a tackle on third-and-long for a 40-yard draw play.
Four plays later, on fourth down at the Trojan 25, Griffin Thorson burned Post Falls with a double move and was wide open for a 25-yard touchdown pass.
"In the second half, we really stayed with what we wanted to do, and that's run the football," Titans coach Rob Bartlett said. "That forced them to bring more people (to stop the run), and on that double move play, we were able to block long enough to beat their press coverage."
Led by Williamson's 28 carries for 209 yards, U-High piled up 393 yards of offense. O'Neil had 157 yards passing and also scored on a QB sneak.
"I thought their offensive and defensive line were pretty physical," Hinz said of U-High. "Their back (Williamson) runs hard, and their quarterback did a good job directing their offense."
Post Falls was led by quarterback Dalton Thompson's 92 yards rushing and 150 yards passing, with touchdown tosses to Jacob Koski and Kaden Nelson. Austin Jensen added 86 yards rushing on only nine carries.
"That's an excellent Post Falls team, and we went back and forth with them all game," Bartlett said. "We see them in the Border League (camp), and we love being able to come over here and play them now. It's great to rekindle some old rivalries, and North Idaho has some fantastic football."
The Trojans host East Valley next Friday in their homecoming game.
University 7 7 8 15 - 37
Post Falls 7 12 8 0 - 27
PF - Collin Hildreth 3 run (Nathan Gregory kick)
U - Steven Pesch 29 pass from Logan O'Neil (Mack Tate kick)
PF - Jacob Koski 3 pass from Dalton Thompson (kick blocked)
PF - Kaden Nelson 50 pass from Thompson (kick failed)
U - Griffin Thorson 3 pass from O'Neil (Tate kick)
U - O'Neil 1 run (Tanner Chase pass from O'Neil)
PF - Hildreth 1 run (Chaz Bailey pass from Thompson)
U - Chase 14 pass from O'Neil (Chase pass from O'Neil)
U - Thorson 25 pass from O'Neil (Tate kick)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING - U-High, Bryce Williamson 28-209, Thorson 10-30, Pesch 1-2, Treivon Tuggles 1-1, O'Neil 5-(-6); PF, Thompson 11-92, Austin Jensen 9-86, Bailey 6-29, Hildreth 3-4.
PASSING - U-High, O'Neil 13-21-157-1; PF, Thompson 11-25-150-1.
RECEIVING - U-High, Thorson 6-42, Chase 4-83, Pesch 1-28, Jordan Moore 1-2, Williamson 1-1; PF, Koski 5-35, Nelson 2-73, Jayden Gering 1-20, Mark Haines 1-14, Gregory 1-4, Kamerom Welker 1-4.