Bulldogs suffer tough one-point loss to Bantams

SANDPOINT — The final score may have read Clarkston 35, Sandpoint 34, but it just as well could have read Colby Hansen 35, the Bulldogs 34, as the one man wrecking crew from Clarkston accounted for all five touchdowns in a thrilling nonleague game Friday night at Barlow Stadium.

Hansen’s yeoman effort was the only thing keeping the Bantams (1-1) in the game, as the senior running back/safety scored a rushing touchdown, two receiving touchdowns, an interception return, and finally, one back-breaking 95 yard kickoff return.

The final score proved a dagger, coming on the heels of a 64 yard punt return by Anthony Gold which had the crowd roaring as the Bulldogs grabbed their first lead of the game at 34-28. The momentum was short-lived, as it looked like Hansen was going to be tackled deep in Clarkston’s territory, before he broke free and sprinted down the sideline for the winning score.

Sandpoint struggled mightily early, digging a 21-0 deficit less than 10 minutes into the game as Hansen scored on a three yard run, a 36 yard catch from quarterback Brady Arnone and a 60 yard interception return.

Sandpoint didn’t hit the panic button, and stuck to its gameplan before finally getting on the board when quarterback Brandon Hawkins lofted a 13 yard pass in the back of the end zone to a leaping Eric Nikssarian.

After ball-hawking safety Joe Duarte picked off his second pass of the season, the Bulldogs put a solid drive together, finished off when fullback Luther Morgan rumbled in from 12 yards out to make it 28-12. The Bulldogs failed on a two-point conversion after a missed extra point earlier, missed opportunities that would prove costly in the final outcome.

After Hansen’s fourth score of the game put the Bantams up 28-12, Morgan would score his second touchdown on another bruising run to pay dirt, ending the half with the Bulldogs trailing 28-19.

Sandpoint’s defense was dominant in the second half, forcing numerous three and outs and helping lead the comeback effort. Nikssarian grabbed his second pick of the season, Cole Fuhrman stepped up at linebacker after Morgan was forced to leave the game with injury, and William Meyers made some plays at nose guard.

Gold was a workhorse for Sandpoint, earning 199 tough yards on 36 carries against a defense that was geared to stop him. His six yard touchdown, where he dove for the pylon on a sweep, cut the lead to 28-26 as the steady comeback continued. While known for the big play, Gold proved capable of earning the tough, grinding yards as well.

With less than three minutes left it looked like the comeback was complete, as Gold raced up the sideline for his second special teams return of the season. The ensuing kickoff would prove the difference, as a hard-earned comeback was not to be rewarded.

Sandpoint is at West Valley next Friday, its third consecutive game against a Great Northern League foe to open the season.

SHS        0    19    7     8 — 34

CHS       21   7      0     7 — 35

CHS Colby Hansen 3 yd run (Sean West kick)

CHS Colby Hansen 36 yd pass from Brady Arnone (Sean West kick)

CHS Colby Hansen 49 yd Interception (Sean West kick)

SHS Eric Nikssarian 13 yd pass from Brandon Hawkins (kick fail)

SHS Luther Morgan 12 yd run (pass fail)

CHS Colby Hansen 57 yd pass from Brady Arnone (Sean West kick)

SHS Luther Morgan 9 yd run (Fuhrman kick)

SHS Anthony Gold 6 yd run (Fuhrman kick)

SHS Anthony Gold 63 yd punt return (Hawkins run)

CHS Colby Hansen 92 yd Kick off return (Sean West kick)

Team Stats                        SHS     CHS

First Downs    11           9

Rushes-yds                49-213    22-56

Passing yds    66         152

QB        6-11-2  13-27-2

Punts-Ave    3-35      3-19

Fumbles-Lost                1-1        2-2

Penalties-yards           12-95      10-50

SHS Rushing: Anthony Gold 36-199, Brandon Hawkins 7-10, Luther Morgan 4-35, Brian Remson 1-0

SHS Receiving: Joe Duarte 1-17, Eric Nikssarian 2-23, Brian Remsen 1-9, Luther Morgan 1-18, Anthony Gold 1-2.

SHS KO Returns: Eric NiKssarian 3-100

SHS Punt Returns: Anthony Gold 2-72

CHS Rushing: Colby Hansen 11-30, Brady Arnone 2-7, Ethan Fox 8-24, Logan Vaughn 1-0

CHS Receiving: Colby Hansen 5-97, Dallas Jones 2-16, Colby Ruark 2-22, Nathan Whittaker 4-23

CHS KOR: Colby Hansen 3-140