Tough first half costs Bulldogs in loss
(Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY) Alex Stockton, left, and James Johnson, right, attempt to catch hail mary at the end of the second half Friday at University High School.
(Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY) Dillan Mittan scored the Bulldogs’ first touchdown, and had several strong carries in the running game.
SPOKANE - University scored a touchdown on all six of its first half drives, and Sandpoint had trouble getting any momentum going offensively, ultimately leading to a 42-14 win by the Titans in nonleague football Friday night at University High School.
The Titans (1-0) scored on drives of 80, 85, 80, 62 70 and 60 yards, riding the quick legs of scat back Terrell Sanders, a big and powerful offensive line and some well time play action passing to a 42-0 lead at halftime.
The Bulldogs (0-2) couldn’t seem to find a rhythm and sustain drives offensively, with two promising early drives stalled by a bad snap and a key dropped pass on a deep ball. Declan Plummer and Alex Stockton hooked up on a few first down throws, but the Bulldogs couldn’t get into the red zone against a stout Titans front seven.
Missing starting quarterback Robbie Johnson, and two key bigs up front defensively, the Bulldogs had trouble matching the Titans physically in the first half.
“We’re close, but close gets you beat. You’ve got to push back, and the game got out of hand in the first half,” said head coach George Yarno. “We said at half we’ll win the second half, and that’s what we did.”
A big bright spot in the loss was the Bulldogs’ improved special teams play, led by several strong kick returns by Dustin Norris that gave his team great field position.
With a running clock in the second half, the Bulldogs settled in and played their best football, with Dillan Mitton finishing a drive with a one yard plunge, and Declan Plummer firing a strike to Parker Coon for a 15 yard slant and final score of the game.
Caleb Fingel gave the team some energy by tipping a pass in the second half to force the Titans’ first punt, and Logan Johnson brought some energy to the field with two tackles for loss in the second half.
Once again, Yarno praised his team’s effort, which is something to build on moving forward.
“We didn’t quit, played our tails off to the last whistle. The special teams were unbelievable, but in the first half we only won one of the three phases,” said Yarno. “We were missing 600 pounds of beef up front on the defensive line. Once again, we’re getting close, but close gets you beat.”
Sandpoint hosts Mt. Spokane in their debut at Barlow Stadium at War Memorial Field next Friday night.
Sandpoint 0 0 7 7 - 14
University 14 28 0 0 - 42
Uhi - Sanders 15 run
Uhi - May 1 run
Uhi - Sanders 40 run
Uhi - Sanders 3 run
Uhi - Wolcott 18 catch from Wolcott
Uhi - Sanders 2 run
Spt - Dillan Mitton 1 run (Garrett Chandler kick)
Spt - Parker Coon 15 catch from Declan Plummer (Chandler kick)