Sandpoint Junior Tackle teams notch impressive wins
Michael Plaster's foot helped the Dawg's No. 2 team beat Cheney 24-22 in Saturday's Junior Tackle play-off game at Shadle Park. In 5th/6th grade Jr. Tackle the PAT is worth two points and Plaster was flawless on all three attempts, including the second PAT when the Dawgs were flagged with an off-sides penalty and Plaster had to re-kick from the seven instead of the two yard line.
The Dawgs scored first when Kyle Perry hit pay dirt on a 45 yard run. The play was perfectly executed with key blocks getting Perry past the line where he out ran the secondary.
The second touchdown came on a Dylan Kuzmich 65-yard kickoff return. It looked as though Kuzmich was going down as he was working his way through a group of defenders when he suddenly burst through, breaking several tackles and made a run up the right sideline.
The Dawgs' last score came on a counter play that caught Cheney completely off guard. Kuzmich, the quarterback, signaled his wide receiver Taylor La Chapelle in motion and faked a handoff around the left side. He then handed off to split back Kyle Perry who ran behind Michael Plaster's block for the score. Perry ended up with 120 yards on the ground to go with two touchdowns.
Tight end Walker Jones caught a four yard pass in heavy traffic from Bear Youngdahl and tight end Kenny Kolvachuk caught a 20 yarder from Dylan Kuzmich and a 12 yarder from Youngdahl. Walker Jones also recovered a fumble as did Caleb Samsel.
"Our offense was really moving the ball today, but our defense was hot," said coach Martin Rodriguez. "The secondary was breaking up pass plays all day. But the real test came with two minutes left to play in the fourth quarter when the defense held tough to protect the razor-thin lead."
Marcus Minnick had a game-high six tackles, Nate Stangel had five in only two quarters of play before leaving the game with a shoulder injury. Conner Van Den Berg and Dylan Kuzmich had four each.
The Dawgs advance to the second round of the play-offs next Saturday vs. Mead No. 2, at 9 a.m., at the University Center (Old University High School.).
n Sandpoint No. 1 Jr. Tackle team to face Riverside in championship
Sandpoint Dawgs No. 1 Junior Tackle team defeated Reardon 26-0 on Saturday and earned the right to play in the 2008 Grid Kids Tackle Football Championship on Saturday at Joe Albi Stadium in Spokane.
Sandpoint marched 60 yards on the game's opening drive with big runs by Nate Loutzenhiser and Walker Jacobson before turning the ball over on downs on Reardons 15 yard line. Six plays later the Reardon running back bobbled the handoff and fumbled the ball which was picked up by Sandpoint's Brandon Carlin, who returned it for a 30 yard touchdown.
In the second quarter Sandpoint moved the ball quickly down the field with big runs by Jackson Rands and Colton Engel. Rands scored on a 35 yard sweep behind the blocking of Chayton Silva and Jake Porter. Sandpoint led 14-0 at the half.
In the second half Sandpoint's defense took over, causing four fumbles with big hits by Rob Oakley, Jeff Kappen, Jackson Russo, Nate Loutzenhiser and Gabe Lutz. Sandpoint's offense took advantage of the turnovers behind the powerful blocking of Chandler Brewington, Christian Crossingham and Troy Mitton as the Dawgs converted two of the four fumbles into quick scores. The first touchdown came on a 40 yard end around where Tanner Jacobson ran around a few defenders and stiffed armed a few others on his way into the end zone for the score.
The last score came when quarterback Jackson Russo faked one way and handed the ball to Walker Jacobson, who powered his way into the end zone.
The championship game will be held at Spokane's Joe Albi stadium this Saturday at 9 a.m.