Tough third quarter dooms Bulldogs in loss
CHENEY — A lopsided third quarter proved costly for Sandpoint, as Post Falls scored four consecutive touchdowns to blow open a close game and cruise to a 46-25 win on Friday night at Eastern Washington University.
Sandpoint quarterback Nate Loutzenhiser had a solid game, finishing 16-23 for 240 yards, hooking up with receiver Chase Rodriguez on scoring strikes of 51 and 69 yards. Unfortunately, turnovers, penalties and an inability to get off the field on third down once again held the Bulldogs (0-2) back.
“Too many blown opportunities,” lamented Bulldogs head coach Satini Puailoa. “Too many personal fouls. That stuff is keeping their (opponents) drives alive and stopping our drives.”
The Bulldogs started fast, using a hurry up offense and taking the opening drive down the field and grabbing an early 6-0 lead on a two yard plunge by Cody Millard.
Post Falls (1-2) answered on the next possession, when quarterback Joe Pfennings scrambled 63 yards for a score on third and long. After a muffed snap on a punt attempt, the Trojans scored on a short field to take a 13-6 lead into the half.
Then momentum swung heavily in a one-sided third quarter, as the Trojans built a commanding 33-6 lead, keyed by a 50 yard punt return for a score by Brandon Davenport. Once again, strong stretches of play by the Bulldogs were wiped away by one poor quarter.
“We’ve got to make those plays and we have to handle adversity better. This is a tough game played by tough people,” said Puailoa. “We’re physically good enough, but not mentally good enough. We can play with these teams.”
Rodriguez finished with 160 yards on six catches, and Thomas Edwards hauled in five catches for 45 yards as the Bulldogs were able to move the chains through the air.
Dean Knaggs carried 11 times for 72 yards, and Matthew Timothy carried five times for 25 yards in defeat. Puailoa is hoping his team can finally break through and begin to turn things around as wins have been few and far between for the program in the past few years.
“When you’re coming out of a losing syndrome, you’re still carrying that baggage,” described Puailoa. “It’s part of the process we have to go through. When you’re used to winning, you play through those tough stretches, when you’re used to losing, those stretches get you.”
Carson Paull, Brent Buchmiller and Jonathan McCormick each had tackles for loss for the Bulldogs’ defense.
The Bulldogs host West Valley next Friday in a home opener at Barlow Stadium.
Sandpoint 6 0 6 13 — 25
Post Falls 6 7 26 7 — 46
Spt — Cody Millard 2 run (kick failed)
PF — Joe Pfennings 63 run (kick failed)
PF — Dalton Thompson 10 catch from Pfennings (Houser kick)
PF — Mike McKeown 15 catch from Pfennings (kick failed)
PF — Brandon Davenport 48 punt return (kick failed)
PF — Patrick Aguros 7 run (try good)
Spt — Chase Rodriguez 51 catch from Nate Loutzenhiser (try failed)
PF — Thompson 5 catch from Pfennings (try failed)
Spt — Kyle Perry 2 run (run failed)
PF — Aguros 9 yd run (Sullivan kick)
Spt — Rodriguez 69 catch from Loutzenhiser (Perry run)