Buratto, Bulldogs come up short against Eagles
SPOKANE — A.J. Buratto did yeoman work at running back once again, and Sandpoint matched its opponent yard for yard, but key penalties and timely turnovers proved too much to overcome, as the Bulldogs lost 35-14 to West Valley on Friday night in Spokane.
Buratto carried 32 times for 163 bruising yards, registering his third straight 100 yard game, and also scored two touchdowns for the Bulldogs (0-3), who were plagued by inconsistency for much of the night.
“We looked great at times, then give up stuff when we’re doing what we’re not supposed to be doing,” said Bulldogs head coach Satini Puailoa. “West Valley didn’t stop us, we stopped ourselves.”
West Valley (3-0) built a 21-0 halftime lead, capitalizing on excellent field position on nearly every drive and aided by a couple of key penalties by the Bulldogs. Quinn Pearlstein had a big interception negated after a roughing the passer penalty, and the Bulldogs looked to have first and goal at the three yard line before a holding penalty ultimately killed the drive on downs, killing any first half momentum.
Sandpoint put together an 85 yard scoring drive to cut the lead to 21-7 early in the third quarter, but West Valley capitalized on another short field and went up 28-7 just two minutes later. Buratto’s second short scoring plunge capped another strong drive to cut the lead to 28-14 with nine minutes left in the game, but that was as close as things would get.
“If we play the way we’re capable, the score is different. They (Eagles) didn’t stop us either half,” described Puailoa. “Holding penalties, putting the ball on the ground, we just can’t do that stuff. We can play good enough to win, we just have to decide that we want to.”
Alex Charvoz continues to be a ball hawk, picking off his fourth pass in the first three games, and Kevin Hill added his second interception as well. Jonathan McCormick, Dean Sutton and Pete Slippy each had tackles for losses, but ultimately the defense couldn’t stop the power running game of the Eagles, who rushed for 186 yards and finished a host of short drives.
Nick Prindiville was once again steady in the short passing game, completing 9-17 balls for 102 yards, with Tommy Fury hauling in five grabs for 35 yards and Thomas Edwards three catches for 62 yards.
In a scary moment for the Bulldogs, junior defensive end Andrew Cook was taken off the field by ambulance late in the first half.
“He had a stinger, and he had feeling in his hands and feet,” said Puailoa, noting Cook wanted to keep playing. “It was precautionary on their part, and I think he’ll be fine.”
The Bulldogs travel to 3A Timberlake next week, looking for the first win of the season.
Sandpoint 0 0 7 7 — 14
W. Valley 7 14 7 7 — 35
WV — McKinley 5 run (kick good)
WV — Cooper 38 run (kick good)
WV — Touchdown pass 19 yards (kick good)
Spt — Buratto 2 run (Pearlstein kick)
WV — McKinley 1 run (kick good)
Spt — Buratto 1 run (Pearlstein kick)
WV — Touchdown pass 8 yards (kick good)