Fatigue, lack of depth costs Spartan football in loss to Medical Lake

PRIEST RIVER — Priest River football gave Medical Lake quite the fight for three quarters this past Friday, but ultimately fatigue and a lack of depth allowed the Cardinals to pull away for a 28-0 victory.

"It was a tough loss," head coach Jared Hughes said. "Our kids played their hearts out, but couldn't overcome a flurry of second half injuries and penalties."

Only 13 sophomores, juniors and seniors were eligible to play for the Spartans and just 14 players saw the field for most of the game.

"We even had to switch jerseys and played a couple of running backs [on the offensive line] most of the fourth quarter," Hughes said. "Mental mistakes due to fatigue and attrition became our ultimate downfall."

Despite the defeat, there was plenty of positives for the Spartans.

Priest River held Medical Lake to 8 points at the half and 14 through three quarters. The defense allowed 241 yards on the ground and 76 through the air, but most of that damage came in the second half when the Spartans started to fade due to tired legs, Hughes said.

Offensively, Priest River was able to move the ball, racking up 151 yards rushing. Kameron Salesky led the way with 65 yards rushing on 13 carries. Deegan Goins produced the two biggest plays for the Spartans — a 29-yard run and a 23-yard reception — and accounted for 57 total yards on five touches.

In his first start at quarterback, Michael Johnson went 6 of 9 for 44 yards. Conor Berns reeled in a pair of catches and had a 20-yard rush, and the Spartans were able to avoid turning the ball over.

Landon Reynolds and Matyus McLain both recorded two sacks on defense. Salesky tallied 13 total tackles, Goins had 12 and Jesse Poisel finished with nine.

Prior to kickoff, principal Matt George and Damon Ezell, a parent of a freshman player, organized a tribute for the 13 members of the U.S. military who were recently killed at the airport in Kabul, Afghanistan, while trying to help people evacuate.

Priest River (0-1) will make the short trip across the Washington border for a battle with Newport at 7 p.m. Friday.

"We will be working on getting everybody healthy and hopefully make the corrections and adjustments needed to come out with a win," Hughes said.

Medical Lake 0 8 6 14 — 28

Priest River 0 0 0 0 — 0

Second quarter

ML — Carson Tappero 5 yard run (run good)

Third quarter

ML — Eugene Haas 8 yard run (attempt failed)

Fourth quarter

ML — Haas 6 yard run (attempt failed)

ML — Xander Black 16 yard pass from Haas (attempt good)

PRIEST RIVER INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Johnson 4-13, Goins 4-34, Salesky 13-65, Sorbel 1-5, McLain 1-1, Poisel 4-13, Berns 1-20.

PASSING — Johnson 6-9-44-0.

RECEIVING — Berns 2-17, Salesky 2-3, Goins 1-23, McLain 1-1.