Big passing plays, hard-hitting defense propel Bulldogs to win
SANDPOINT — It’s amazing how many times a football game changes on a special teams play, and such was the case in Sandpoint’s 28-7 pounding of West Valley in a home opening football game Friday night at Barlow Stadium.
Nate Loutzenhiser threw three touchdown passes, the defense was disciplined and physical and the Bulldogs (1-2) got to ring the victory bell for the first time in three years. The defense, which had been torched in the first two games, gave up just 221 yards of offense and brought a physicality to the field that has been missing for a while.
“It was a well deserved victory for these kids, who’ve been working really hard,” said Bulldogs head coach Satini Puailoa. “This looked like old Sandpoint football, really physical. We focused on contain, and not giving up the big play.”
Sandpoint scored first after Devin Fairbanks recovered a fumble at the Bulldogs’ own 35 yard line, and Loutzenhiser promptly went deep to his favorite target, Chase Rodriguez, to put the Bulldogs up 7-0 in the first quarter.
West Valley (1-2) answered less than two minutes later on the ensuing possession to tie the game. Carlos Collado, Jean-Luc Albertson and Quinn Pearlstein each had big sacks, and Jarvis Abbott batted down a pass to spark a swarming Sandpoint defense, which traded stops and punts in the second quarter as the half ended tied at 7-7.
The game was still tied at 7-7 midway through the third quarter when arguably the biggest play of the game happened. The West Valley return man muffed a punt, giving the Bulldogs excellent field position on their own 30. Once again, the Bulldogs capitalized on the field position, as Loutzenhiser lofted a beautifully thrown touch pass over the defender to the 6-foot-6 Rodriquez for a 28 yard strike to give the Bulldogs a 14-7 lead and a huge boost of momentum.
Loutzenhiser and Rodriguez have now hooked up for four touchdowns in the past two games, as the Bulldogs’ passing game continues to emerge. Loutzenhiser was an efficient 17-29, for 238 yards and three touchdowns, and most importantly, no turnovers. Rodriguez finished with 115 yards receiving, while Thomas Edwards was a great second option with eight catches for 85 yards and a score.
“We can throw the ball. We knew our threats were Chase and Thomas on the outside, and we’ve got a guy who can get the ball to them,” said Puailoa, who felt his team addressed two issues very well. “We won the turnover battle and cut down on the penalties.”
Loutzenhiser’s third scoring pass came on another deep touch pass to Edwards for 32 yards, putting the Bulldogs up 21-7 late in the third quarter.
After Collado and Talon Egbers combined on yet another sack, the Bulldogs ended the scoring when fourth quarter change-of-pace sophomore running back Kyle Perry rumbled 58 yards for his third touchdown in as many games. Cody Millard also gained some tough yards between the tackles to keep the chains moving, as the Bulldogs finished with 135 yards rushing.
The Bulldogs will look to ring the victory bell again next Friday, when Timberlake comes to town for the Homecoming game.
West Valley 7 0 0 0 — 7
Sandpoint 7 0 14 7 — 28
Spt — Chase Rodriguez 35 catch from Nate Loutzenhiser (Quinn Pearlstein kick)
EV — Austin Lee 6 run (kick good)
Spt — Rodriguez 28 catch from Loutzenhiser (Pearlstein kick)
Spt — Thomas Edwards 32 catch from Loutzenhiser (Pearlstein kick)
Spt — Kyle Perry 58 run (Pearlstein kick)
SHS WV
First Downs 11 12
Rushes-yds 32-122 4 3-101
Passing yds 238 123
QB 17-29-0 11-23-0
Punts-Ave 6-25 5-20
Fumbles-Lost
1-1 5-4
Penalties 11-101 8-80
SHS: Rushing: Dean Knaggs 7-17, Paul Sundquist 1-3, Matthew Timothy 2-10, Kyle Perry 6-54, Cody Millard 14-49, Nate Loutzenhiser 2-1, Harley Newhart 1-(-12) Receiving: Thomas Edwards 8-85, Chase Rodriguez 7-115, Matthew Timothy 2-38