Bulldogs deliver beat-down to Bengals
LEWISTON — Senior Luther Morgan was a force on both sides of the ball, earning tough yards and opening holes at fullback and delivering even tougher blows at middle linebacker, helping lead the Bulldogs to a 36-0 pasting of the Bengals Friday night in Inland Empire League football action in Lewiston.
The Bulldogs (4-2) came out with a smash mouth gameplan, hammering the Bengals (3-2) with a four-pronged rushing attack, racking up 363 yards on the ground behind an offensive line that dominated the line of scrimmage.
Ben Fisher led the way with 159 yards on 26 carries, including three touchdown runs, and Cody Hecker, limited by a sprained ankle, added 83 yards on six carries, including a 64 yard touchdown run to get the scoring started in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs mounted touchdown scoring drives of 97, 96 and 76 yards, helped the yeoman work of Morgan, who rushed for 40 yards and touchdown and also caught a pass for 25 yards. Anthony Gold added 82 yards on 12 carries in his most extensive action of the year.
“Our kids really came to play,” said Bulldogs coach Mike Mitchell. “I couldn’t be happier, we played with heart.”
As good as the offense was, the Bulldogs defense might have been even better, holding the Bengals to a paltry 137 yards of total offense and pitching their first shutout of the season.
Brandon Hawkins and Gold each had an interception, and A.J Smith and Morgan were making stops all over the field as the Bengals were whipped at the line of scrimmage. Idaho-bound quarterback Justin Podrabsky was just 5-18, for 78 yards, and was pressured all game.
“The defense earned that shutout,” said Mitchell, while noting his team has won back-to-back games at Lewiston after not having won their for 27 years prior. “The offensive line played great and we had very few mistakes.”
Quarterback Daniel Charvoz was 6-11, for 87 yards, and Fisher also completed a pass out of the Wildcat formation for 31 yards to Ray Lee. Mike Hubbard hauled in three catches for 53 yards, as the Bulldogs opted to eschew the passing game as they gashed run and run for big gains.
Mitchell felt his team played well enough to beat Post Falls last week, and believes the last three games against 5A schools have strengthened his team.
“It’s all going to pay off in the long run,” he said, noting next week’s game against Raymond is another tough one. “Raymond beat us up with a club last year, and is the No. 1 team in Alberta (this year).”
Next Friday’s game against the Canadian school is Homecoming.
Sandpoint — 7 10 13 6 — 36
Lewiston — 0 0 0 0 — 0
Spt — Cody Hecker 64 run (Cole Fuhrman kick)
Spt — Ben Fisher 8 run (Fuhrman kick)
Spt — Fuhrman 25 yd field
Spt — Fisher 4 run (Fuhrman kick)
Spt — Fisher 4 run (kick failed)
Spt — Morgan 1 run (kick failed)