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PREP FOOTBALL: Billingsley, Timberlake 'D' sparks romp

| September 17, 2021 1:15 AM

SPIRIT LAKE — Timberlake set the tone defensively early in the first quarter.

Not bad for short notice.

James Billingsley returned a fumble 20 yards for a touchdown, then scored again on a 58-yard interception return as the Tigers blitzed the Colville Indians 37-8 in a nonleague game at Van Tuinstra Stadium on Thursday.

Timberlake cornerback forced a fumble, recovered by Billingsley for the first touchdown of the night.

“Zach got his shoulder on the ball and James just scooped it up and runs it back,” Timberlake coach Kelly Amos said. “James just had a fantastic game. He was very dominant in the middle for us.”

Timberlake (3-1) was scheduled to play Connell (Wash.), but had the game canceled due to a COVID-19 outbreak with the Washington school on Monday. The game was already moved up to Thursday due to a lack of officials.

“Our athletic director Tim Cronnelly really stepped up and got on the horn to find us a game,” Amos said. “He got it hooked up. We found out during practice Monday, and that’s a big game prep day, so that made it an interesting day.”

Wyatt MacArthur had 120 yards on five carries for Timberlake, which finished with 198 yards rushing.

“We were incredibly efficient without an extra day of prep,” Amos said. “We came out and played hard and sharp. It’s a testament to how hard our players work. They just do their jobs. Defensively, it was definitely our best game of the season.”

Timberlake hosts St. Maries on Sept. 24.

Dakota Hooper scored on a 54-yard touchdown run for Colville (1-1).

Colville 0 0 0 8 — 8

Timberlake 15 13 6 3 — 37

First quarter

TL — James Billingsley 20 fumble return (Billingsley run)

TL — Ashton Peightal 4 run (Joseph Borges kick)

Second quarter

TL — Hunter Higgins 3 run (Borges kick)

TL — Billingsley 58 interception return (kick failed)

Third quarter

TL — Higgins 3 run (Borges kick)

Fourth quarter

TL — FG, Borges, 25

Col — Dakota Hooper 54 run (Hooper run)

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Col, Hooper, 9-96, Gallanger 3-17. TL, MacArthur 5-120, Higgins 7-22, Woodworth 4-15, Huston 2-13, Billingsley 4-8, Paslay 5-5, Peightal 1-4, Wells 2-2, Vallieres 1-0.

PASSING — Col, Roy, 7-17-3-138. TL, Peightal 8-15-0-77,

RECEIVING — Col, Foulkes 6-132. TL, Yetter 4-29, MacArthur 2-27, Higgins 1-16, Olivieri 1-5.