Dawgs win thriller over Deer Park

DEER PARK, Wash. — The Sandpoint 5th/6th grade Jr.Tackle Dawgs No. 3 team edged Deer Park 22-21 on Saturday in a hard fought nail-biter of a win. Deer Park had five tries at winning the game in the last minute of play from inside the Dawgs’ 10 yard line.

“Our goal line stand was inspiring,” said coach Martin Rodriguez. “Deer Park drew us off sides with a hard count which put them on the four yard line and our defense still held tough.”

The Dawgs scored first on a well-executed 40 yard gadget pass play when quarterback Bear Youngdahl pitched out to Michael Plaster on the right, who then threw a long pass back to Youngdahl, who had sprinted behind the defensive secondary. Youngdahl was 5-7 for 90 yards passing on the day, including a touchdown pass to Kyle Perry. Perry had a big day on both sides of the ball, hauling in three catches for 76 yards and a touchdown, while making nine tackles on defense. Plaster had 53 yards rushing, 40 yards on 2 catches, one touchdown pass for 40 yards, one rushing touchdown and two PATs.

Levi Irish came up with a key interception and an 18 yard return. Irish also ran for 15 yards and had two tackles on Defense. Coach Rodriguez was very impressed with the play of his linemen.

“This game was won in the trenches today with both the offensive and defensive lines delivering their best effort this season,” he said. “The O-line was instrumental in the success of the passing game and the defense was just plain tough.”

Playing both offensive and defensive line today were, Marcus “M-Rod” Rodriguez (four tackles), Sean Fitzgerald (five tackles), Chris Jones (three tackles and one sack), Zach Alamillo (two tackles), Justin Guglielmana (one tackle), Troy Nutt (two tackles), Tyron Larson (one tackle) and Greg Hosterman (one tackle). In the defensive secondary, Kalib Samsel (three tackles), Tyler Presser (two tackles), Nick Stangel (one tackle), Lane Rasmussen (one tackle), Donovan Nix (one tackle), John Humrich (one tackle) and Malcom Curto (one tackle).