Bulldogs offense sparkles in wild loss to University
SPOKANE — First the good news: Sandpoint scored 48 points on Friday night on the road against University High School, as the offense continues to light up the scoreboard early in the season.
Now the bad news: The Bulldogs (0-2) gave up 55 points, as the defense had a tough time slowing down the Titans, a 4A school from the Greater Spokane League, and the special teams struggled mightily.
The difference in the game ultimately came in the first minute, as the Titans (1-0) capitalized on some early miscues and built a 13-0 just 35 seconds into the game, and the 55-48 shootout was on.
“It was the most bizarre game I’ve ever seen. Everything that could go wrong, did. We gave up way too many big plays on special teams,” said Bulldogs head coach Satini Puailoa. “The kids battled in there. We’re going to be better than this, we’ll play better special teams than this.”
Nate Loutzenhiser was a bright spot for the Bulldogs in defeat, completing 19-28 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns, while not throwing any interceptions.
Kyle Perry continues to put up big numbers in the running game, earning 112 yards on 13 carries, while scoring the Bulldogs’ first four touchdowns of the game to help keep things close in a wild first half.
University scooped up a fumble and returned it 80 yards for the first score of the game, and after the Bulldogs fumbled the ensuing kickoff, the Titans punched another score in, while just 35 seconds had elapsed.
After Perry’s first score, University scored another 14 unanswered points for a 27-7 first quarter lead. After Perry’s second score, the Titans ran back a 90 yard return. Again, the Bulldogs showed resiliency, answering with a scoring drive of their own before the Titans reeled off 21 unanswered points to 55-21 lead with three minutes left in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs have now allowed 97 points in two games to start the season on defense.
“We can’t be giving up 45 points a game and expect to win,” said Puailoa. “We’ll fix some things, that’s on us. We’re showing some resiliency.”
Matthew Timothy, who finished with six catches for 85 yards, joined Jake Timothy and Wyatt McCormick in snagging fourth quarter touchdown catches from Loutzenhiser, as the Bulldogs reeled off 27 straight points to close to within a score with a minute left, but couldn’t recover the onside kick.
“In the beginning, we kind of got down on each other,” said Matthew Timothy. “We’ve got some things to shape up, but you’ll see us down the road.”
Sandpoint is at Lewiston next Friday.
Sandpoint 7 14 0 27 — 48
University 27 14 14 0 — 55
UHS — Tate 80 fumble return (Tate kick)
UHS — Griffin 21 catch from O’Neill (kick failed)
Spt — Kyle Perry 1 run (Michael Plaster kick)
UHS — O’Neill 1 run (Tate kick)
UHS — Chase 30 catch from O’Neill (Tate kick)
Spt — Perry 5 run (Plaster kick)
UHS — Simpson 90 kickoff return (Tate kick)
Spt — Perry 8 run (Plaster kick)
UHS — Williamson 2 run (Tate kick)
UHS — O’Neill 1 run (Tate kick)
UHS — Williams 67 run (Tate kick)
Spt — Perry 14 run (Plaster kick)
Spt — Matthew Timothy 16 catch from Nate Loutzenhiser (kick failed)
Spt — Jake Timothy 21 catch from Loutzenhiser (Plaster kick)
Spt — Wyatt McCormick 30 catch from Loutzenhiser (Plaster kick)