Bulldogs handle business in rout of Grangeville

GRANGEVILLE — Kyle Perry ran for 116 yards on 17 carries and two scores, and Wyatt McCormick-Cox caught four passes for 109 yards and a pair of scores, leading Sandpoint to a 47-12 win over Grangeville on Saturday in a nonleague football game at Grangeville High School. 

The Bulldogs (6-3) have now won five straight games since starting the season with a tough schedule against bigger schools, adding 2A power Grangeville (5-3) to the schedule to prevent a three week stretch with no games, as they await a playoff opener on Nov. 7.

Bulldogs head coach Satini Puailoa was happy to see his team get a live look and continue to build momentum for what figures to be a deep playoff run.

“It’s hard because this game doesn’t count. We’re looking at who we’re playing. Post Falls upsets Coeur d’Alene. The kids came out and did what they needed to do,” said Puailoa. “We didn’t want to disrespect these guys or hurt them, but we wanted to play.”

Davan Norris finished 12-19 for 185 yards and a pair of scoring tosses under center, helping the Bulldogs build a 28-6 halftime lead, enabling some JV players to get in on the action in the second half.

Wins against Post Falls and Lake City, and respectable early losses against Lewiston and University have paid dividends for the seasoned Bulldogs, who have now scored 268 points in their past five wins.

Sandpoint will host the winner of Kuna vs. Canyon Ridge or Skyview in the second round of the 4A playoffs, after earning a first round bye next week. 4A-ranked Rigby, Bishop Kelly and Kuna are the biggest obstacles in the No. 3 ranked Bulldogs’ quest for a state title.

“We don’t have an easy road to go. The last three games are what our season’s been about all season long,” said Puailoa of the upcoming playoffs. “I don’t think we’d be the same team if we didn’t run the gauntlet and do some of the things we’ve done.”

Sandpoint hosts a quarterfinal playoff game on Nov. 7.