Titans power past Bulldogs in home opener

SANDPOINT — The aptly named University Titans invaded Barlow Stadium on Friday night, and as advertised, they were extremely big and committed to running the football.

For a half, Sandpoint more than held their own against the 4A Greater Spokane League power, but eventually wore down in the second half, falling 43-23 in the home opener.

University (1-0) featured a line with a few college sized linemen, and they helped pave the way for 372 yards rushing, scoring three unanswered touchdowns in the second half to blow the game open.

“We were on defense too long tonight. We have to learn from it and get better, so we can play at this level,” said Bulldogs head coach Satini Puailoa, whose team opens the season with a brutally tough schedule against bigger schools. “We’re learning against good people, and they’ll expose you.”

The Bulldogs (1-1) scored the game’s first touchdown after a 44 yard completion from Davan Norris to Wyatt McCormick-Cox set up a two-yard plunge by Kyle Perry for a 7-3 lead.

Michael Plaster, who had a huge game defensively, followed a seven yard tackle for loss with a 15 yard interception return to give the Bulldogs a 14-10 lead.

After University found the end zone with two touchdown passes, Norris threw a dime to Logan Magro, who hauled in the 50 yard strike to cut the lead to 23-20. One of the highlights of the game came on the final drive of the first half, when Michael Plaster drilled a wind-aided 51 yard field goal that split the uprights, ending an entertaining first half tied at 23-23.

Magro had a big day offensively, finishing with five catches for 87 yards, and nine carries for another 33 yards. Norris finished with 165 yards passing, as the Bulldogs could not get their usual chunk yardage plays in the running game against a big and physical front seven.

University’s size took its toll on the Bulldogs in the second half, putting together some long drives and salting the game away. The Bulldogs had trouble sustaining drives to give the defense a rest.

Sandpoint hosts 5A Lewiston next weekend, as the tough slate of early season games continues.

SHS 6 17 0 0 — 23

UH 10 13 13 7 — 43

Q1 UH Adam Drassen 33 yd Field Goal

Q1 SHS Kyle Perry 4 yd run (kick fail)

Q1 UH Tyler Rickel 3 yd run (Logan Oneil)

Q2 Mike Plaster 25 yard Interception (Perry run)

Q2 UH Ethan Jones 8 yd pass from Logan Oneil (run fail)

Q2 UH Chase Tanner 29 yd pass from Logan Oneil (Oneil kick)

Q2 SHS Logan Magro 50 yd pass from Norris (kick fail)

Q2 SHS Mike Plaster 51 yd Field Goal

Q3 UH Logan Oneil 17 yd run (Logan Oneil kick)

Q3 UH Griffin Thorson 45 yd pass from Logan Oneil (pass intercepted)

Q4 Tyler Rickel 2 yd run (Oneil kick)

Individual Stats:

Rushing SHS: Kyle Perry 11-41, Walker Jacobson 3-4, Davan Norris 6-24, Logan Magro 9-33, Tyler Presser 1-2

Receiving SHS: Logan Magro 5-87, Kyle Perry 2-9, Wyatt Cox 3-69

Rushing UH: Tanner Chase 2-36, Treivon Tuggles 24-206, Gage Anderson 2-3, Tyler Rickel 8-67, Logan Oneil 4-23, Griffin Thorson 1-(-5), Malcolm Lohstreter 6-41, Jayden Collazo 1-1

Receiving UH: #89 3-33, Chase Tanner 5-73, Griffin Thorson 3-43, Ethan Jones 1-8

Returns: KOR Kyle Perry 1-16, Kaleb Merrill 2-52, #12 1-22

Punt Returns: Ravyn Smith 2-4, #12 1-1