Perry sparks Bulldogs in loss to Knights

SPOKANE — Not much went right for the Bulldogs in the first three quarters of Friday night’s season opener at East Valley High School, as penalties and turnovers resulted in a 34 point deficit heading into the fourth quarter.

Then momentum changed quickly, as sophomore running back Kyle Perry led the Bulldogs to three fourth quarter touchdowns, ultimately falling 37-21 to the Knights of the Great Northern League.

Despite playing only the fourth quarter, Perry sparked the Bulldogs (0-1) offense, rushing six times for 93 yards and hauling in two catches for 95 yards, an average of more than 23 yards per touch.

“The young guys finished strong,” said Bulldogs head coach Satini Puailoa. “Physically, we showed we can play with these guys (Knights) and they’re picked to win their league.”

The Knights (1-0), ranked No. 8 in the 2A state rankings in Washington, struck early when Gage Burland caught a 61 yard pass for a score on a fake punt. Burland, who signed to play baseball at Gonzaga next season, capitalized on a Bulldog fumble on the ensuing possession to catch the second of his three scores to make it 16-0.

Quinn Pearlstein got the Bulldogs on the board late in the first quarter with a 24 yard field goal, before East Valley reeled off three straight scores.

Trailing 37-3 entering the fourth quarter, Perry scored the first touchdown by taking a screen pass from Nate Loutzenhiser and sprinting 78 yards to pay dirt. After a strong drive, Curtis Roop rumbled in from 12 yards for the second score, and Thomas Edwards hauled in an eight yard strike from Loutzenhiser for the game’s final score.

The early fake punt seemed to put the Bulldogs on their heels and set the tone for the game.

“That fake punt they got is on us (coaches),” said Puailoa. “We’re going to learn a lot from this (loss). Our offensive line is green, but we’ll get better.”

The Bulldogs take on Post Falls (0-2) next Friday in a game that will be played on the neutral red turf at Eastern Washington University.

Sandpoint    3    0    0   18 — 21

East Valley 16   6   15   0 — 37

EV — Gage Burland 61 catch from Connor Ramm (T.J. Phelan catch)

EV — Burland 4 catch from Ramm (Burland catch)

Spt — Quinn Pearlstein 24 field goal

EV — Phelan 22 catch from Ramm (try failed)

EV — Phelan 5 from Ramm (kick good)

EV — Burland 59 pass from Ramm (Burland catch)

Spt — Kyle Perry 79 catch from Nate Loutzenhiser (try failed)

Spt — Curtis Roop 12 run (try failed)

Spt — Thomas Edwards 8 catch from Loutzenhiser (try failed).