PREP FOOTBALL: Fegert helps Priest River run past St. Maries

Priest River 24, St. Maries 8

ST. MARIES — In their first win over St. Maries in more than 10 years, sophomore Nate Fegert rushed for 207 yards and three touchdowns as the visiting Spartans captured their fifth straight win and second straight Central Idaho League win after scoring 24 unanswered points in the second half on Friday.

Neither team was able to gain an edge until there was four seconds remaining in the first half. Jack Barta hit Hayden Defoort for a 16-yard passing touchdown and the Lumberjacks converted the two-point conversion to go ahead 8-0 just before halftime.

Priest River High head coach Alex Zepeda said his team was able to make the necessary adjustments in the second half to come away with the win.

"Opposing teams are focusing on Sawyer Staudt due to the outstanding season he's having, which has opened up opportunities for other players," coach Zepeda said. "Nate Fegert capitalized on those chances every time his number was called."

Zepeda said a huge amount of credit goes to his offensive line, which has now helped a Priest River running back to 200 yards rushing in back-to-back games — before last week, the Spartans never hard a 200-yard rusher in school history.

Fegert rushed for a 35-yard touchdown in the third quarter and for 89-yard and 3-yard touchdowns in the fourth in what was his best offensive performance to date. Staudt, who had 61 yards rushing and 23 yards receiving, scored on a 48-yard run in the third to give the Spartans a 12-8 lead, their first lead of the contest.

On defense, the Spartans once again had a busy night, making multiple crucial stops. Freshman Layton Goins had a team-high 14 tackles and a pass breakup while senior Luccas Simcox registered 11 tackles, including one for a loss, and a pass breakup. Junior Niki Porinchok posted 11 tackles, including two for a loss, and a sack.

Senior Skyler Simcox registered seven tackles, including one for a loss while junior Gavin Griesemer added a tackle for a loss and a sack, sophomore Colton Kuprienko two tackles for losses and a sack, junior Brady Hatten a tackle for a loss, and junior Ian Lamanna a team-high two pass breakups.

"This is a truly special group, and what makes it even more exciting is that all of them will be returning next year," coach Zepeda said. "This win marks the first time in over a decade that we’ve beaten St. Maries, and with five wins on the season, it guarantees our first winning season in over 10 years. I’m incredibly proud of this group and honored to be the head coach of the Priest River Lamanna Spartans football team."

Priest River (5-2, 2-1 CIL) hosts Kellogg next Friday.

Priest River 0 0 12 12 — 24 

St. Maries 0 8 0 0 — 8 

Second quarter 

SM — Hayden Defoort 16 pass from Jack Barta (Julien Ceja-Grimaldo run) 

Third quarter 

PR — Nate Fegert 35 run (conversion failed) 

PR — Sawyer Staudt 48 run (conversion failed) 

Fourth quarter 

PR — Fegert 89 run (conversion failed) 

PR — Fegert 3 run (conversion failed) 

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS 

RUSHING — PR, Fegert 11-207, Staudt 8-61, Mathews 1-12, Kuprienko 4-28. SM, Ceja-Grimaldo 14-84, Dittman 12-69, Morris 5-24, Defoort 4-6, J. Barta 4-1, Wise 1-(-11). 

PASSING — PR, Mathews, 2-5-0-31. SM, J. Barta, 11-28-0-153. 

RECEIVING — PR, Staudt 1-23, Lamanna 1-6. SM, Gustaffe 4-68, Defoort 3-51, Sloper 1-14, Ceja-Grimaldo 1-12, B. Barta 1-7.