Bulldogs rise to occasion and ground Hawks in huge league win

RATHDRUM — With the season hanging in the balance, the Bulldogs picked an opportune time to play their best game, riding the power legs of Dillan Mitton and a stingy defense to down the Hawks 34-19 on Friday night in 4A Inland Empire League football at Lakeland High School.

The win means the Bulldogs (2-6, 1-1 4A IEL) still have a shot at earning a spot in the state playoffs. Under the biggest pressure of the season, the Bulldogs put together a full game and executed when it mattered most.

Now the Bulldogs will await the result of next week’s Moscow and Lakeland game. A win by Moscow and the Bulldogs will be the second seed from the north and travel in the first round. A win by Lakeland will mean a three-team Kansas City playoff.

As for the what the Bulldogs could control, Mitton carried 14 times for 140 yards and three second half touchdowns, they won the turnover battle put a rock solid four quarters together.

“Just the toughness factor. We’ve been through a lot this season. We’re trying to withstand strain. I’m so proud of them that they got the job done, in pretty convincing fashion,” lauded Bulldog head coach Ryan Knowles. “They fought to the last play. The guys took it serious the whole game.”

Lakeland (3-4, 0-1 4A IEL) struck first when Ezra Grigg, who finished with 68 yards rushing, hauled in a 4 yard catch from Brandon Fury for an early 6-0 lead after the extra point was blocked.

Payton Cox boomed a 52 yard punt after a three and out for the Bulldogs, and the flip in field position proved big when Lakeland fumbled the next snap and Keith Jensen recovered on the Lakeland 8 yard line. Alex Stockton scored on a 2 yard plunge for a 7-6 Sandpoint lead.

The Bulldogs extended the lead when quarterback Jaxon Pettit lofted a pretty fade pass to Hunter Elliott for 43 yards, setting up a one yard QB sneak from Pettit for a 14-6 lead.

The Hawks would answer late in the second quarter after a nice kick return from Isaac McArthur to midfield led a short drive down to 4th and goal from the seven. The Hawks went for it, and Grigg took a handoff on a reverse and threw to a wide open Colton Boettcher to go into half down 14-12.

The Hawks finished with just 148 yards rushing and 118 yards passing as the Bulldogs got another strong game from the defense, which held its own in the trenches. Elijah Larson had two passes defended, Brandon Casey and Alex Stockton made some plays on the line, and Christian Niemela had an interception to seal the win in a strong effort.

“We new we had to stop the run. They’ve got some big guys up front,” said Knowles of Lakeland. “We challneged the D-line this week, and we played some guys both ways tonight.”

Sandpoint put some nice second half drives together, as Pettit hooked up with Elliott for 37 yards to set up a Mitton five yard touchdown run and a 21-12 lead.

Lakeland again answered when a 37 yard scamper from Griggs set up a Trey McAurthur three yard run to cut the lead to 21-19.

Big catches by Stockton and Ryan Bloomberg led to a one yard touchdown run by Mitton, and he would add his third score of the second half on the ensuing drive for a 34-19 lead.

“He’s the energizer bunny, he keeps going. He wants to be physical,” described Knowles of Mitton, casting an eye forward. “We have Lethbridge next week. If Moscow wins, we’ll be the No. 2 seed, if they lose there will be a three way playoff.”

Sandpoint hosts Lethbridge next Friday.

Lakeland travels to Moscow next Friday the huge league finale.

Sandpoint 7 7 7 13 — 34

Lakeland 6 6 7 0 — 19

LL — Ezra Grigg 4 catch from Brandon Furey (kick blocked)

Spt — Alex Stockton 2 run (Dylan Peterson kick)

Spt — Jaxon Pettit 1 run (Peterson kick)

LL — Colton Boettcher 7 catch from Grigg (pass fail)

Spt — Dillan Mitton 3 run (Peterson kick)

LL — Trey McArthur 3 run (Colin Bell kick)

Spt — Mitton 1 run (Peterson kick)

Spt — Mitton 4 run (run failed)

SHS. LL

First Downs. 12. 10

Rushes-yds. 49-174. 34-148

Passing yds. 152. 118

QB. 8-12. 14-32

interceptions 1 2

punts-ave. 5- 35. 3-20

Fumbles-lost. 2–0. 3-3

penalties 4-30. 6-69

SHS Rushing: Dillan Mitton 14-140, Christian Niemela 2-15, Jaxon Pettit 2-2, Declan Plummer 3-13, Alex Stockton 2-5

LL Rushing: Cage Hendry 16-56, Brandon Furey 7-11, EZra Grigg 7-68, Trey McArthur 4-43

SHS Receiving: Ryan Bloomberg 1-14, Dillan Mitton 3-23, Hunter Elliot 2-78, Christian Niemela 1-7, Alex Stockton 1-23

LL Receiving: Eli Asher 1-9, Ezra Grigg 2-6, Colton Boettcher 2-34, Trey McArthur 5-35, Isaac McArthur 2-20, Collin Bell 2-14

KOR: Isaac McArthur 3-89, Ezra Grigg 3-80

KO Returns: Christian Niemela 2-69, Dillan Mitton 1-17