PREP FOOTBALL: Post Falls wins, waits
JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Post Falls senior Nolan Vaughan intercepts a pass during the fourth quarter of Thursday's 5A Inland Empire League game against the Lake City Timberwolves at Trojan Stadium. Post Falls won 42-14.
JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Lake City junior wide receiver Travis Usdrowski is hit by Post Falls senior defensive back Blair Crane as he crosses the goaline in the second quarter of Thursday's game at Trojan Stadium.
POST FALLS — The Post Falls Trojans did their job, even without their star running back for most of the game.
Now they wait.
Post Falls pulled away from Lake City in the second half for a 42-14 victory in 5A Inland Empire League play Thursday night at Trojan Stadium.
Tonight, if Coeur d'Alene (6-2, 2-0 5A IEL) beats visiting Lewiston (4-4, 1-1), Post Falls (6-3, 2-1) will be the second seed from the North to the state playoffs, and host a first-round playoff game next week.
If Lewiston wins, the three teams will meet in a Kansas Tiebreaker to settle matters.
"We'll see what happens, and Friday night around 10 o'clock, we'll know what we're doing," Post Falls coach Blaine Bennett said.
Lake City finished 2-7, 0-3.
"We made some critical errors at times when you can't, and that's been a little bit of our M.O.," first-year Lake City coach Byron Hout said.
Lake City opened the scoring on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Tyson Ruggiero to Justin Hill less than three minutes into the game.
Post Falls took a 14-7 lead on a 49-yard touchdown pass from Isaac McKeown to Asher Bowie. On its following possession, Post Falls fumbled on a 1-yard line, with Lake City returning the ball to midfield. On its ensuing play, Lake City fumbled, with the ball going back to Post Falls on a recovery by junior defensive lineman Nick Chamberlain.
Shawn Hudson had an interception and fumble recovery for Post Falls, and Nolan Vaughan had an interception.
"Our defense played excellent, created some big turnovers," Bennett said.
Junior Devin Burton gave Post Falls a 21-7 lead with 6:46 remaining in the half on a 4-yard touchdown run.
Burton got most of the carries in place of Tevin Burns, who suffered an ankle injury last week vs. Coeur d'Alene. He tried to go on Thursday, but was pulled after a couple series.
"Devin Burton carried the load for us," Bennett said. "Devin Burton played really well."
Lake City countered with a 50-yard slant pass to junior Travis Usdrowski, scoring with 3:28 remaining in the half on a 3-yard pass to pull within 21-14 at halftime.
Post Falls scored midway through the third quarter. Lake City drove into Trojan territory late in the quarter, but turned the ball over on downs, and Post Falls scored twice in the fourth quarter to pull away.
"I think we've got our guys believing in our culture," Hout said. "We have a lot of young talent on the team, we played eight or nine sophomores that were starting or getting significant playing time. Having those guys get in the weight room, and getting bigger, faster, stronger is going to be our key this offeason."
"Byron's doing a great job over there at Lake City," Bennett said. "They've got a lot of kids, and they're playing hard. It was a tough first half."
Lake City 7 7 0 0 — 14
Post Falls 14 7 7 14 — 42
First quarter
LC — Justin Hill 23 pass from Tyson Ruggiero (Travis Usdrowski kick), 9:09
PF — Tevin Burns 3 run (Seth Martin kick), 6:06
PF — Asher Bowie 49 pass from Isaac McKeown (Martin kick), 3:58
Second quarter
PF — Devin Burton 4 run (Martin kick), 6:46
LC — Usdrowski 3 pass from Ruggiero (Usdrowski kick), 3:28
Third quarter
PF — Alex Shields 39 pass from McKeown (Martin kick), 5:18
Fourth quarter
PF — Burton 1 run (Martin kick), 6:23
PF — Caden Smith 48 run (Martin kick), 1:25
