Bulldogs notch rare win over Bengals
LEWISTON — The Sandpoint Bulldogs did what select few teams before them ever had: Beat Lewiston. Adding intrigue to the win was each team wearing special camo jerseys provided on Military Appreciation Night.
Featuring a power running game and several big plays, along with the strongest defensive effort of the season, the Bulldogs (1-2) earned a decisive 35-19 win over the 5A Bengals on Friday night at Lewiston High School.
Only a handful of Sandpoint teams have ever beaten Lewiston in the history of the rivalry, and the Bulldogs left little doubt who the better team was.
“You can count on one hand how many teams have ever beat Lewiston,” said Bulldogs head coach Satini Puailoa. “We talked about you have to grind a hard game. Against a quality opponent, there’s a big illustrious tradition. The improvement on special teams and defense tonight was huge.”
Puailoa vowed to fix the special teams, and the work this week in practice was evident, including one of the biggest plays of the game. After the Bengals cut the lead to 21-19, Tyler Harris returned the following kick 59 yards, turning the momentum.
After running back Kyle Perry scored seven touchdowns in the first two games, the Bengals (1-2) were no doubt geared up to stop him, but he still powered his way to 73 yards on 16 carries, with two touchdowns. Curtis Roop did some damage with his touches, carrying 10 times for 57 yards and a score, and also catching a 45 yard pass. Tyler Presser rounded out the three-pronged backfield attack with nine carries for 60 yards.
Roop’s nine yard run gave the Bulldogs an early 7-0 lead, before Lewiston answered to tie the game at 7-7 heading into half.
Quarterback Nate Loutzenhiser punched in a two yard score on the opening drive of the second half, and after Sam Johnson recovered a fumble, Perry scored from three yards out for a 21-7 lead.
Carlos Collado, Tyler Harris and Quinn Pearlstein keyed a solid defensive effort, as the Bulldogs knew they had to step things up after the first two losses. Pearlstein said the team was primed to start fast after last week’s debacle.
“We knew it was going to be a tough, hard hitting game. We were ready to play football,” said Pearlstein. “This week we came ready to hit them in the mouth right off the bat. That was the difference maker in this week’s game.”
After Lewiston cut the lead to 21-19, Harris broke the big kick return, Presser had a 24 yard run and then Perry finished the drive with a four yard run, giving his team a 28-19 lead and momentum.
Harris said the product on the field was the result of a great week of practice.
“When we went up to Uhi, our tone in practice wasn’t good. The coaches didn’t even have to tell us, we knew we needed to swarm to the football,” said Harris, who described the kick return. “I let my blocks set up, then bounced it outside.”
The Bulldogs’ final touchdown was the most entertaining, as Harris blocked a Lewiston field goal attempt, and end Michael Plaster picked the ball up, heard Harris yell “run,” and sprinted untouched 74 yards to ice the game.
Jake Timothy continues to be the big play receiver, hauling in three catches for 77 yards, while quarterback Nate Loutzenhiser finished 5 of 12 for 136 yards, with his first two interceptions of the season.
Next week the Bulldogs play Mt. Spokane, which is loaded, with a 5 p.m. kickoff at Joe Albi Stadium, yet another big school on the early season slate.
“This is going to get us ready for the end of the season. If you can compete with these teams, you can play with anyone in the 4A,” said Puailoa. “These guys have put their heart and soul into what we’re doing. This was a hard fought, well deserved win.
Sandpoint 0 7 14 14 — 35
Lewiston 0 7 6 6 — 19
Spt — Curtis Roop 9 run (Michael Plaster kick)
Lew — Mason Ulrich 4 catch from Colton Richardson (kick good)
Spt — Nate Loutzenhiser 2 run (Plaster kick)
Spt — Kyle Perry 3 run (Plaster kick)
Lew — Bo Melton 4 run (Kick failed)
Lew — Richardson 69 touchdown pass (pass failed)
Spt — Perry 4 run (Plaster kick)
Spt — Plaster 74 blocked kick return