Bulldogs blanked by Knights in playoff loss
(Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY) Sandpoint sophomore running back Braden Kappen, right, looks for daylight in the Bulldogs’ season ending loss to Hillcrest on Friday in Idaho Falls.
(Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY) Senior Parker Coon was a bright spot in defeat, gaining 44 yards on a pair of reverses in a game where big plays were scarce for the Bulldogs.
IDAHO FALLS — In concussion-era football, with teams spreading the field and throwing more and more in high scoring and entertaining affairs, Hillcrest eschewed such notions and kept things decidedly old school, stacking eight offensive lineman in front of a QB and two running backs, and pounding the ball on the ground.
The strategy worked to near perfection, as the top-ranked Knights (9-1) ground out 528 yards rushing without so much as completing a single pass, rolling to a decisive 45-0 win over Sandpoint in the 4A Idaho state football playoff opener on Friday night at Thunder Stadium in Idaho Falls.
The Bulldogs (3-7) tried to beat the Knights at their own game, also going with two tight ends and three running backs, but the strategy and scheme simply didn’t work, as the Knights built an early lead and steadily increased it with methodical, chain-moving drives.
The Knights scored a 75 yard touchdown on the first play of the game, when speedy quarterback Kyle Austin sliced through a hole and outran the defense to pay dirt. After a Dillan Mitton fumble, Oakley Hussey would score the first of his three touchdowns on the ensuing drive to give the Knights a 12-0 lead just three minutes into the contest.
The Bulldog defense would stop Hillcrest on downs and give the offense good field position. A nice push by the offensive line of Jackson Prior, Brandon Casey, Cole Ducken and Kiehl Hutchings helped convert a 4th and one, but the Bulldogs tried a run on 4th and 4 and Mitton was stopped short. The Knights were clearly shadowing Mitton, who had no place to run for much of the night and was held in check.
The Knights would add a pair of second quarter touchdowns to take a 25-0 halftime lead, once again running between the tackles and gashing the defense on drives.
The Bulldogs started the second half with a three and out, and just like they did in the first half, the Knights scored on their first offensive play as Hussey broke free and raced to a 70 yard score and 32-0 lead.
The Bulldogs struggled to move the ball through the air, with junior quarterback Jaxon Pettit completing 6 of 17 attempts for 47 yards. He was unable to avoid the rush, getting sacked five times for big losses. The Bulldogs were never able to reach the red zone until the final play of the game.
Highlights for the Bulldogs included a nice 32 yard catch to receiver Hunter Elliott on a jump ball late in the third quarter, and 44 yards rushing from senior receiver Parker Coon on a pair of nice reverses late in the fourth quarter, which was played with a running clock.
Sandpoint finished with just 123 yards rushing, and 170 yards of total offense against a fast, physical and stingy Knights’ defense.
Hillcrest 12 13 13 7 — 45
Sandpoint 0 0 0 0 — 0
Hill — Kyle Austin 75 run (kick failed)
Hill — Oakley Hussey 20 run (pass failed)
Hill — Trae Henry 10 run (kick good)
Hill — Sloane 1 run (run failed)
Hill — Hussey 70 run (kick good)
Hill — Hussey 30 run (kick good)
Hill — Josh Norman 12 run (kick good)