Bulldogs end season with loss to Hawks

RATHDRUM — The Bulldogs rallied for 19 points in the final quarter, but it wasn’t enough as they fell 29-22 to the Hawks in the season finale Friday night at Lakeland High School.

Quinn Pearlstein capped a solid opening drive with a 39 yard field goal to stake Sandpoint (1-8, 0-2 4A IEL) to an early 3-0 lead, but Lakeland (6-3, 1-1 4A IEL) scored the next two touchdowns to take a 15-3 lead into half time.

Troy Carr scored the second of his three rushing touchdowns to make it 23-3, before the Bulldogs staged a late rally. Thomas Edwards scored the first of three fourth quarter touchdowns on a 37 yard scoring catch from Nick Prindiville to make the game 23-9. Edwards finished with two grabbs for 47 yards, and Prindiville was 11-20 for 171 yards and two touchdowns.

After Carr put he Hawks up 29-9, Dean Knaggs scored from nine yards out to make it 29-15 with 5:40 left. Dakota Ward recovered the ensuing onside kick, and the Bulldogs promptly dialed up some razzle dazzle.

Prindiville threw into the flat to Knaggs, who fired it back to the quarterback, who bombed a 53 yard double pass to Chase Rodriguez for the final score of the game. Rodriguez, who had a 67 yard touchdown catch called back in the first half, finished with three catches for 72 yards.

Head coach Satini Puailoa was pleased with the steady progress of his team, despite winning only one game on the year.

“You have to tip your hat to our kids. All year they’ve gotten better and better and improved every game,” he said, lauding the senior class. “The seniors can hold their heads high. The hardest part is to re-blaze the trail.”

Justin Puryear had an interception for the Bulldogs, Cody Millard finished with 13 carries for 40 yards and A.J. Buratto tallied 40 yards on nine carries and 30 yards on three catches.

One thing that can’t be questioned this season is the constant effort put forth by the Bulldogs, including down to the final minutes of a game against Lakeland that was essentially played for pride.

“There’s no quit in these kids,” said Puailoa. “I’m happy and proud of the progress they’ve made. Bulldog football is on the way back.”

Spt — 3   0    0   19 — 22

LL — 15   0   8   6 — 29

Spt — Quinn Pearlstein 39 FG

LL — Horne 57 catch from Bailey (kick good)

LL — Troy Carr 3 run (try good)

LL — Carr 1 run (try good)

Spt — Thomas Edwards 37 catch from Prindiville

LL — Carr 3 run (try failed)

Spt — Dean Knaggs 9 run (try failed)

Spt — Chase Rodriguez 53 catch from Nick Prindiville (Pearlstein kick)