Post Falls runs over Lakeland
POST FALLS — They like to spread the field and play fast this year.
But the Post Falls Trojans showed they can still run the ball up the middle if they need to.
Fullback Quin Bennett ran for 109 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries, and Braden Vaughan added 70 yards and three TDs on 11 carries as Post Falls ran over Lakeland 53-13 on homecoming Friday night Trojan Stadium in the Battle of the Prairie.
“They did a good job taking some of our perimeter stuff away,” said Post Falls coach Blaine Bennett, whose Trojans (5-0) ran for 260 yards. “So we had to run between the tackles. Our running backs coach, Mick Zeller, does a great job with these two running backs, and we ran between the tackles, and had some real positive plays up inside. Usually we’re trying to get the ball out on the perimeter to some of our skill guys.”
Post Falls scored on its first seven possessions — six touchdowns, followed by a field goal — for a 46-0 lead before Lakeland (1-4) scored just before the half.
Trojan quarterback Nate Buer completed his first 10 passes and finished 13 of 14 for 190 yards and one TD — a 44-yarder down the middle to Cody Barber on Post Falls’ second possession.
In the first quarter, Post Falls totaled 207 yards, Lakeland minus 6.
Post Falls didn’t need the help, but the Hawks committed turnovers on three straight first-half possessions that led to Trojan TDs.
Sheldon Sloane recovered a fumble at the Lakeland 32, and Buer ran it in from 4 yards out five plays later for a 22-0 lead. One play after Junior Williams’ interception, Quin Bennett zipped 18 yards for a touchdown.
Taylor Ryan picked off a Lakeland pass two plays later, and three plays after that, Vaughan sped in from 25 yards out for a 36-0 lead late in the first quarter.
“Honestly, I think we could be a pretty good football team,” Lakeland coach Tim Kiefer said. “But until we decide that we want to go out there and try to control the mistakes that we make, it’s just not going to happen for us. The things that are in our control, we’re not controlling ... 10- to 15-yard passes at our feet, fumbles, interceptions, until we start controlling that, that’s going to be the outcome of our games. There’s really no excuse for it. We should be playing better football.”
Josh Brandt rushed for 109 yards on 19 carries and scored both touchdowns for Lakeland. His 67-yard kickoff return set up his first TD, a 3-yard run with 17 seconds left in the first half.
For the game, Post Falls outgained Lakeland 450-221.
Next Friday, Lakeland is home vs. Timberlake, and Post Falls travels to Wenatchee (Wash.)
Lakeland 0 7 6 0 — 13
Post Falls 36 10 7 0 — 53
First quarter
PF — Braden Vaughan 1 run (Vaughan kick), 9:49
PF — Cody Barber 44 pass from Nate Buer (Buer run), 6:59
PF — Buer 4 run (Vaughan kick), 4:17
PF — Quin Bennett 18 run (Vaughan kick), 2:58
PF — Vaughan 25 run (Vaughan kick), 1:32
Second quarter
PF — Vaughan 1 run (Vaughan kick), 9:44
PF — FG Vaughan 32, 3:02
LL — Josh Brandt 3 run (Isaac Silva kick), :17
Third quarter
PF — Buer 19 run (Vaughan kick), 7:26
LL — Brandt 2 run (pass failed), 2:10.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — LL, McArthur 2-2, Brandt 19-109, Suko 2-1, Hendry 5-3, Siegford 2-(minus 7), Gatten 3-18, Allen 2-6, Norman 1-13, Furey 1-(minus 1). PF, Vaughan 11-70, Buer 6-62, Bennett 14-109, Sciortino 5-19.
PASSING — LL Siegford 3-11-2-60, Furey 4-4-0-29. PF, Buer 13-14-0-190.
RECEIVING — LL, Suko 1-8, Brandt 2-52, Mosier 1-17, McArthur 2-10, Johnson 1-2. PF, Ryan 2-31, Ballew 1-5, Barber 5-89, Williams 2-22, Bourgard 2-19, Bennett 1-14.