Sandpoint Dawgs defeat Post Falls

SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint Dawgs junior tackle football team ran its record to 2-1 on Saturday with a 13-12 win over the Post Falls Eagles.

Sandpoint took an early lead with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Carson Paull to tight end Chase Rodriguez, who had to fight for the ball and break through two potential tackles before scoring.

Late in the second quarter, Paull hooked up with Gavan Rosteck for 35 yards, which set up a Rodriguez 15 yard reverse for his second score of the game and a 13-0 lead. The offensive line (Hunter Brackett, Ryan Bush, Tristan Cunningham, T.J. Alsager and Jake Steen) for the Dawgs was solid in both pass and run blocking. The crucial extra point was made when Carson Paull sprinted out and threw a pass into the corner for the extra point — 6th grade football rewards one point for running the ball or throwing the ball for the extra point, whereas a kick is worth two points — to Collin Jurenka.

The second half started with a bang, except the thunderous noise was from a 65-yard kickoff return by Post Falls to open up the third quarter. Early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles scored a second TD on a 35-yard sweep, and failed on the extra point yet again, which ultimately cost them the game.

"We were fortunate to leave the field with a win," said coach DaVault. " I will say one thing for our players; they never give up and they played real hard the whole game. That game was a real gut check."

With Sandpoint ahead 13-12, with 2 minutes remaining in the game, the Eagles were driving for the go ahead score and a potential win, when the Dawgs came up strong on defense. The Eagles last hopes of keeping the drive alive were eliminated when Noah Faude came in from his free safety position to make the game-saving tackle for five yard loss on 4th down.

"That play by Noah was huge," said coach Knaggs.

The Dawgs are currently in 3rd place out of 12 teams in the North Idaho league.