New Articles for 1948, 1949, and 1950
The bomberfootball.org resident historian, Lorin St. John, has been scouring the Tri-City Herald and other sources and has come up with some new articles for the 1948, 1949, and 1950 Bomber football seasons.
You can look at these articles and other game clippings, photos and game programs by following these links:
If you have any old newspaper clippings, photos, game programs, video or audio recordings and you would like to contribute to the bomberfootball.org collection, please follow the Contact Us link and send me a note. I will write you back as soon as possible and figure out a way to get these items added. I have received several items from fellow Bomber alums from all over the country as far away as Florida. Please check your basements, attics and crawl spaces and see what you got!
Big-Nine Cascade Division All Conference Selections
The Richland Bomber representatives on the Columbia Basin Big Nine Cascade Division all-conference teams.
Richland Bombers 47, Rogers Pirates 15
 |
John Rogers Pirates |
15 |
 |
Richland Bombers |
47 |
November 5, 2009
The Rogers Pirates came to town on Thursday night hoping to uphold a recent tradition of Greater Spokane League domination over the Big Nine. Instead, the Richland Bombers showed they still had something left in the tank and handed the Pirates a 47-15 defeat.
The game started off in typical Richland fashion. Starting the game at their own 37 yard line, Jake McKinney ran through the Rogers line like grape juice through a two-year old completing runs of 13, 18, and 17 yards, capping the 5 play, 2 minute drive with an 8 yard touchdown. The extra point missed it's target but the Bombers still owned an early 6-0 lead.
Rogers showed a lot more pop on offense, though, and engineered a long scoring drive starting at their own 20. Cody Brewer provided most of the yardage and, at times, seemed to be plowing the field. Unlike the Bombers, the Pirates were content with controlling the clock and finally scored when QB Tyler Lehman ran in from 1 yard away. Rogers drive consumed 80 yards in 15 plays and took nearly 8 minutes off the clock. In the end, the Pirates led 7-6. This was Rogers last, remote sniff of a lead for the rest of the night.
Richland came right back with Jake McKinney and BK Robinson punishing the Pirate line. Junior Chris Hayes got his chance at some varsity time and completed two passes, the first to Elijah Gardaya for 18 yards and the second to Nick Martens for a 16 yard touchdown. Jake ran for the extra points and Richland took the lead back for good at 14 to 7.
Richland scored twice more in the second quarter with both scores resulting from BK Robinson runs of 25 and 3 yards respectively. The Bombers entered halftime leading 27 to 7.
The Bombers really opened the flood gates in the third quarter. Nick Martens scored on another 10 yard pass from Hayes, and Robinson completed his third touchdown of the night with a nifty 30 yard dash. Richland finished the scoring late in the fourth quarter when Brad Baird scampered for 13 yards, making the final 47 to 15. Rogers scored a safety and a touchdown in the fourth quarter but by then the fight had already been settled.
Jake McKinney ran for 159 yards and broke the Richland High School single season record with 219 total carries. BK Robinson had a great night with 112 yards and his three touchdowns and Chris Hayes looked quite poised at quarterback. All three will be back for more next year and that should give the Bomber faithful some hope for a great 2010 season.
This is the last game of the 2009 season and I want to congratulate Coach Mike Neidhold and the coaching staff on another job well done. The record may not be what they but considering the talent that left last year, and the youth of this year's team, I think they all did another outstanding job. Mike's team plays with a great amount of heart and they play the entire game and make Richland proud.
I would like to thank all of you who visit bomberfootball.org throughout the year. I really hope that you enjoy reading about the exploits of the Richland Bombers as much as I enjoy seeing the games and writing about them. If you have any suggestions or things you'd like to see on the site for next year, please drop me a line using the Contact Us page and I will see what I can do.
Go Bombers!
Bombers Take on Rogers Pirates on Thursday Nov. 5
The pairings have been set for the Big Nine / GSL Crossover Series and the Richland Bombers will get one last home game against the Rogers Pirates. Please take note that the game is on Thursday, November 5th at 6:00 PM. Come out and cheer on the Bombers!
Wenatchee Panthers 40, Richland Bombers 7
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Richland Bombers |
7 |
 |
Wenatchee Panthers |
40 |
October 30, 2009
The Richland Bombers took one on the chin tonight at The Apple Bowl in Wenatchee as the Panthers turned out to be inhospitable hosts in a 40-7 blowout.
The Bombers started out very strong and it looked like they had shaken whatever virus they caught in the fourth quarter of the Walla Walla game. After quickly shutting down the vaunted Panther running game in the first drive, the Richland offense fired every engine. Jake McKinney was driving through the Wenatchee defense like his feet were on rails and the team had a swagger as they moved down the field. All that changed, though, when Jake lost the ball on the Wenatchee 12 yard line.
The Bombers were still formidable on defense and held the Panthers on the next drive, forcing them to punt at the Richland 45. The punt was a thing of beauty as it bounced at the ten yard line and took an immediate 45 degreen turn and headed right for the one-half yard line. On the very next play from scrimmage, the Wenatchee defense caught McKinney in the end zone for a safety and a 2-0 lead. Then it got ugly.Coyote ugly, or in this case, Panther ugly.
The Panthers proceeded to score on 4 of their next five drives and scored at will. A 24 yard run by Jacob Selby, a 15 yard touchdown pass from Cam Hoey to Blair Dorn, a 51 yard run by Dorn, and capping the first half with another Hoey touchdown pass. The Bombers went quietly into halftime down by 30 points.
Richland came out for the second half and seemed determined to show the Apple Bowl crowd that they were not going down quietly. Once again, the Bombers engineered a 75 yard drive in eight plays including 28 yard and 14 yard catches by Elijah Gardaya and runs of 16 and 14 yards by Jake McKinney. Jake finished off the drive with a 1 yard touchdown drive and a glimmer of hope starting peeking over the horizon. If Wenatchee can score 30 points in a half, why can't the Bombers score 31?
Wenatchee answered that question quickly and emphatically with a 67 yard drive of their own capped off by a 13 yard pass from Hoey to Lucas Sealby to make it Panthers 37, Bombers 7. The Panthers did score once more late in the game when they decided to give their kicker, Angel Guerra some practice from 44 yards out.
For the Bombers, it was the end of their playoff dreams, but not the end of their season. According to my sources, the Bombers will have a home game next Friday night, November 6 against a yet-to-be-determined opponent from the Greater Spokane League. Apparently they are going to have a three-way playoff to determine their last seed in the state playoffs. I will update the entries as soon as they clear up.
Go Bombers!
Walla Walla 35, Richland 21
|
Richland Bombers |
21 |
 |
Walla Walla Blue Devils |
35 |
October 23, 2009
If you want a quote, I will give you one. "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times." Okay, it's a cliche, but unfortunately for the Richland Bombers, it fits tonight's game quite well. After playing their best three quarters of football all year, the Bombers let the fourth quarter get away from them and the Walla Walla Blue Devils ran away with a 35-21 win on Senior Night at Borleske Stadium.
The first half saw the Bombers play their best half of football this year, though you wouldn't know it by the start of the game. On the third play from scrimmage, Wa-Hi's Brandon Porter raced 47 yards and with only 1:06 gone in the first quarter, the Blue Devils were ahead 7-0.
After that, the Devils must have been feeling quite generous, coughing up the ball like it carried swine flu. First, Gage Reynolds recovered a fumble by Austin Schilling on the Walla Walla 37. Six plays later, Jake McKinney scored from one yard out and the game was tied at 7 apiece. On the ensuing kickoff, Mike Burke recovered another fumble on the Blue Devil 42. Hayden Hilty made quick work of it and hit Elijah Gardaya for a 40 yard touchdown pass and a 14-7 Bomber lead.
Late in the second quarter, Gage Reynolds recovered another fumble off a Hayden Hilty punt and with just a few seconds left in the first half, Hilty then connected Andrew Kosuda on a 14 yard pass and the Bombers went into the locker room with a 21 to 7 lead and the Blue Devils were left shaking their heads.
The Bomber defense still had the advantage, shutting out the Blue Devils in the third quarter but Walla Walla was on the move and facing a 4th and 9 on the Richland 14, Michael Weisner completed a touchdown pass to Gary Winston to cut the lead to 7. The Bombers then quickly went three-and-out and were not helping themselves after a 16 yard punt gave Wa-Hi the ball on their own 47. Aided by a 27 yard pass to Aaron Flippo, Walla Walla took only six plays to tie the game at 21 on a 2 yard run by Schilling.
On the first play of the next drive, Jake McKinney lost the ball and it was recovered by the Blue Devils. Weisner struck quickly, connecting with Winston again on a 27 yard touchdown pass making the score Walla Walla 28, Richland 21.
The Bombers had plenty of time to engineer a scoring drive with well over five minutes remaining. But then things got weird. Jake McKinney blasted through the Blue Devil line for a nice nine yard gain. After he was tackled, he quickly got up and left the ball behind, trying to keep things moving. Several Blue Devil players then pounced on the ball and the referees called it a fumble. Now I'm not going to say anything negative about Walla Walla officiating but this call was simply incorrect. Unfortunately, it also effectively took any wind the Bombers had left in their sails. Four plays later, Schlling scored his second touchdown of the game on a five yard run and the game was finished.
It was very encouraging to see the Bombers play so well, though. For the second week in a row, their offense was balanced and looked to be in sync. Sometimes, though, the breaks just don't go your way.
Next Friday night, it looks like the Bombers will be travelling to Wenatchee to take on the Panthers in the Apple Bowl in the Big Nine Crossover series. The Bombers playoff hopes are dashed but they can still affect the rest of the league with a good showing. After that, it looks like Richland will be travelling to Spokane to take on a Greater Spokane League team in the finale. I will post another story tomorrow once I figure out how the pairings all shake out.
Go Bombers!
Kamiakin 21, Richland 14
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Kamiakin Braves |
21 |
|
Richland Bombers |
14 |
October 16, 2009
The Richland Bombers balanced out the offense and displayed a pretty tough defense but in the end it wasn't enough to overcome the Kamiakin Braves, losing an exciting game 21-14 at Fran Rish Stadium.
The game started out in the usual fashion for the Bombers with Jake McKinney and Gage Reynolds carrying the bulk of the load in the first drive of the game. The drive lasted 10 plays and only covered 32 yards but it did chew up almost 6 minutes of the clock before Kamiakin every touched the ball. The drive let Kamiakin know that the Bombers were not going to go gently into that good night.
After trading a couple punts, the Bombers took over on their own 28 yard line with 1:42 left in the first quarter. Richland got back into running the ball until the first play of the second quarter. That's when the Bombers introduced Kamiakin to their tight end Grant Gallinger. After spending the last few weeks on the sidelines with a broken foot, Gallinger let the Braves know he was back when he hauled in a perfect Hayden Hilty pass and dashed across the field for a 53 yard touchdown and a 7-0 Richland lead. At this point I wasn't sure who was more shocked, the Kamiakin coaches or the Richland fans but either way the Bombers had the lead.
With three minutes remaining in the half, the Braves discovered a passing game of their own and made very short work of the field after Hilty's punt backed them up to the 12 yard line. First, Kamiakin's Corey Hutchinson hit AJ Griffiths on a 47 yard pass play to the 30. Coincidentally, this was the Braves first trip over the 50 yard line. On the next play, Hutchinson connected with Tyler Holle on a 30 yard touchdown pass and the game was tied at 7-7.
Early in the second half, Kamiakin got rolling again wtih a 10 play, 49 yard drive that ended on a Hutchinson pass to Tim White on a 6 yard touchdown pass and a 14-7 lead. Though it looked like this might be the start of something big for the Braves. On the next Richland drive, a punt snap sailed over Hayden Hilty's head and Kamiakin had first and 10 at the Richland 12 yard line. The Bomber defense did a great job and held the Braves to a field goal attempt, which was partially blocked by Brenden Hay and fell harmlessly out of the end zone.
The Bombers started their next drive on the 20 and started some magic of their own. Aided by a roughing the passer penalty on third down, they found themselves just across the 50 yard line. Hayden Hilty again found Grant Gallinger all alone up the middle and Grant rumbled 49 yards for a touchdown. Bombers 14, Braves 14.
Unfortunately for the home team, the Braves took over at their own 27 after the kickoff and proceeded to march down the field like a band at halftime. Eight plays and 73 yards later, the Braves took the lead for good when Hutchinson completed his third touchdown pass of the game, this one for 5 yards to Dom Davis. The Bombers tried their best but just couldn't muster any more offense and Kamiakin took the ball game 21 to 7.
Once again, Coach Neidhold's boys proved that they just don't know the word quit. This was a great ball game against a good Kamiakin team. Next week, the Bombers travel to Walla Walla to take on the Blue Devils to round out the conference portion of the season. I'll be sitting at the top of the stands at the 50 taking stats as usual so I hope you'll make the trip and join us.
Go Bombers!
Kamiakin Preview
The Richland Bombers take on the Kamiakin Braves tonight at Fran Rish Stadium at 7:30. An article this morning in the Tri-City Herald outlines the Bombers playoff chances over the next two weeks against Kamiakin and at Walla Walla.
Give it a read at Tri-City Herald.com.
Where's Coach Beverlin?
For the first time in what seems 100 years, the Bombers will be facing the Kamiakin Braves without head coach Craig Beverlin. Scott Biglin takes over the Braves this year and so far has kept the program going with a solid 4-2 record. I was curious about the whereabouts of Coach Beverlin, though.
I remembered that shortly after he retired there was an article in the Tri-City Herald announcing that he had taken the head coaching position at a small Catholic high school in Louisiana. It didn't take much Googling to find out more on the story. Coach Beverlin is now coaching at Vermilion Catholic High School in Abbeville, Louisiana. According to his blog the team is 2-4 but is also very young, consisting of several freshman and sophomores. If you would like to catch up on Coach Beverlin's adventure, go to Bev's Blog for more information.
Hope to see you out Friday night at 7:30PM at Fran Rish Stadium as the Bombers take on the "new look" Kamiakin Braves.
Go Bombers!
Richland 14, Chiawana 6
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Richland Bombers |
14 |
 |
Chiawana Riverhawks |
6 |
October 9, 2009
If I were forced to describe tonight's Richland Bomber victory over newcomer Chiawana, the word I would use is efficient. Others might use word's such as frugal or thrifty and yet others, lucky. Heck, it really doesn't matter what word you use, the fact remains that Chiawana had the ball for 28 more plays, threw for 111 more yards, had 10 more first downs and one less turnover, but still managed to lose the most important statistical category, points: 6 to 14.
Chiawana is the newest member of the Big Nine Conference hailing from Pasco. Much like the 1973 Hanford Falcons, the Riverhawks are playing without the luxury of having any seniors though Chiawana is playing a full conference schedule and despite their record has been holding their own against much deeper, more experienced competition. One other bonus for the Riverhawks is that they are coached by legendary Pasco coach Steve Graff who left the Bulldogs after three state championships and 112 victories.
To get back to the game, the Bombers wasted absolutely no time as Gage Reynolds took the second play from scrimmage and turned it into a 68 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Richland. After that, the rest of the first half was almost uneventful. The offense struggled as they tried to get their passing game in motion as two first half drives were ended prematurely by Brett Anderson interceptions for Chiawana. Meanwhile, the defense was doing a good job of bending but not really breaking. The Riverhawk's Jordan Downing seemed to be able to run five yards any time he touched the ball but when the Bombers needed the right play, they made it.
Late in the first half, the Riverhawks were able to get on the board when Downing scored on a 4th and 6 inches at the goal line with only seconds left. Unfortunately for Chiawana, the extra point was muffed and the Bombers went into halftime with a slim 7 to 6 lead.
The Riverhawks came out in the second half much like they had in the first, chewing up ground on the field and time off the clock. Their first drive of the half lasted nine plays and ate up 6 minutes but was unable to bear fruit and ended with a punt. Their second drive was going even better until Downing fumbled on the Richland 15 yard line and the Bombers Troy Zuroske pounced on the ball. Then Richland got down to business.
Taking a page from their near-win over Pasco in week one, the Bombers decided the best course of action was for Hayden Hilty to hand off to Jake McKinney and just let Jake be Jake. Starting at 1:34 left in the third quarter, the Jake and Bake show ate up the next six and a half minutes, ending on a 5 yard touchdown run for a 14-6 Richland lead and some much-needed breathing room. The Bombers would need it.
Chiawana came right back. The ensuing kickoff sailed out of bounds and, aided by another five yard penalty, the Riverhawks started their drive at their own 40. They boldly marched the ball down the field and were able to get it to the Richland five but on 4th and 5 and 2:33 left in the game, Luc Graff's pass fell just out of reach of Justin Smith and the Bomber victory was sealed.
It wasn't pretty but a two-game winning streak is a two-game winning streak and the Bombers need all the momentum they can muster when they host the Kamiakin Braves next Friday night in the last scheduled home game of the season. Please come out and join us, it should be a fun game to watch.
Go Bombers!
Richland 24, Hanford 14
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Hanford Falcons |
14 |
|
Richland Bombers |
24 |
October 2, 2009
The Richland Bombers kept their record against crosstown rival Hanford clean for the moment. Hanford has always been an incredibly tough opponent, though.
Please read the game story on the Tri-City Herald.
I have returned home from my vacation at Disney World so I will have a game story to share after Friday night's battle against Big Nine newcomer Chiawana High School from Pasco. The school may be new but Chiawana's Coach Graff is definitely not. Please join us for the game on Friday night at Edgar Brown Stadium at 7:30 PM.
Eisenhower 20, Richland 0
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Eisenhower Cadets |
20 |
|
Richland Bombers |
0 |
September 25, 2009
Please read the story on the Tri-City Herald website for Eisenhower v. Richland.
No Game Updates for Eisenhower or Hanford
I will be in Orlando for the next two Bomber Football games so there won't be any entries for the Eisenhower or Hanford games. I will try to make some updates on scores but I can't make any promises on that front.
The best place to get game scores from Richland and all of the Big Nine is on John Crawford's website at jcrawford.net. This is also a great place to get up-to-date stats on rushing and passing leaders and the like. John has been keeping the stats for the Big Nine for a very long time and his site has some great information. It's a nice resource to have.
If anyone is attending the Eisenhower game on Friday, September 24th or the Hanford game on Friday, October 2 and you would like to write a synopsis of the game for me. Please use the Contact Us page and send me a message. I will take it and post it as an article for that game. I would really appreciate anybody's help for these two games. It would be fun to get someone else's perspective as well.
My humble apologies for leaving you hanging these next two weeks but when the Mouse calls you have to answer.
Go Bombers!
Richland 21, West Valley 13
|
Richland Bombers |
21 |
 |
West Valley Rams |
13 |
September 18, 2009
In a night of firsts, the first item on the list is adding a notch in the win column for the boys in green and gold after a heart-pounding 21 to 14 win over the West Valley Rams at Clasen Field in Yakima. There were several other firsts for the Bombers in this victory: first lead; first time to score first; first blocked punt on defense; first come-from-behind victory; and first time singing the Bomber Fight Song after the game.
Well, first things first. As in each of their previous games, the Bombers came out and promptly shot themselves in the foot. In the first two games that was accomplished with ill-timed penalties including last week's clipping that negate a touchdown. This time the first drive ended with a fumble at their own 45 yard line. Unlike the previous two weeks this mistake did not come back to haunt them. After sharing a few three-and-out-and-a-punt drives, Richland took the ball at the 26 yard line. A methodical dismantling of the Ram offense ensued. Cordarius Ramsay caught an 11 yard pass and Jake McKinney scampered for another 20 to get the Bombers deep in Ram territory but the drive seemed to be stalling. Then, on a 4th and 5 on the West Valley 22 Hayden Hilty caught Ramsay on a pretty 22 yard pass play for a touchdown. Not only was it Hilty's first touchdown pass of the season but it was also the first time the Bombers had led a ballgame. The rest of the first half saw ample punting practice for both teams.
At the end of the first half, West Valley seemed suddenly snakebit losing 13 yards on a fumble, and unsportsmanlike celebration penalty negating a 25 yard pass play, offsides for five, and the last seven on a quarterback sack. This little bit of fiasco was then compounded by a short punt that gave the Bombers first and ten on the West Valley 24 yard line with only 24 seconds left in the half. Unfortunately, the Bombers couldn't capitalize and wound up losing a fumble on the 10 yard line after getting themselves well within Jacob Moreno's ample field goal range. So, for the first time all year, the Bombers held a lead going into halftime. In fact, it was also the first time they had scored in the first half, too.
This game was West Valley's Homecoming, which means in high school football talk, a never ending halftime show including the crowing of the Queen and the parade of Corvette's. This must have fired up the hometown Rams because they came out and promptly marched the ball 79 yards for a touchdown. The coup de gras being a 49 yard touchdown run by Gilbert Plaith after the West Valley line opened up a hole roughly the size of a Buick. Just like that, the lead was gone.
The Bombers were able to pull out a nice trick play on the next drive when Hayden Hilty pretended the ball had been snapped over his head and Grant Gallinger rumbled 11 yards for a first down. Sadly, this just led to another punt a few plays later. West Valley then got the ball and started acting like they owned the place, and rightly so, marching the ball down to the 5 yard line. But, as anyone who has ever been on a diet can tell you, the last five are always the toughest to conquer. The Richland defense stiffened like a board, grudgingly allowing the Rams to sniff the goal line. Despite their valiant efforts, though, Slate Diessner was able to reclaim the last six inches and West Valley owned a 13-7 lead. Fortunately for the Bombers, the extra point attempt sailed wide right and Opportunity knocked on the front door with his best girl Mo firmly attached to his arm. Having experienced the nightmare of wide-right before this was particularly painful to watch, even though it was in Richland's favor.
The one thing that I have noticed so far in the Mike Neidhold era is that his teams rarely give in and pride themselves on making their opponents play an entire game. Much like Cole Trickle in the last act of "Days of Thunder," the Bombers twisted linkage was suddenly straightend out and they took over the fourth quarter. Fired up by the missed PAT and a 37 yard kickoff return by Brandon Creer the Bombers needed only 3 minutes to take the lead when Jake McKinney scampered 21 yards for a touchdown. Jacob Moreno didn't dissapoint the faithful and Richland took the lead for good at 14-13.
On the next drive for West Valley, their punter dropped to one knee on a bad snap giving the Bombers a first and ten on the West Valley 16 yard line. After that lucky break, Hayden Hilty capped the short drive with a 3 yard touchdown run, shutting the pen gate on the Rams and preserving a precious entry into the win column.
A wonderful first win and hopefully some momentum going into next Friday's showdown with the suddenly potent Eisenhower Cadets at 7:30PM at Fran Rish Stadium.
My family and I are now headed out to Orlando to see a certain Mouse. Unfortunately, this means that the game updates for the next two weeks may be put on hold until I get back. If anybody out there would like to take over my duties for the Eisenhower and Hanford games, please contact me by using the Contact Us link in the left hand menu. It's a pretty easy gig, really.
Have a great week! Go Bombers!
Eastmont 31, Richland 8
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Eastmont Wildcats |
31 |
|
Richland Bombers |
8 |
September 11, 2009
The Richland Bombers honored one of their own tonight, welcoming back Coach J.D. Covington to Fran Rish Stadium including a celebration before the game with several of his former players. Unfortunately, the celebrations ended there as the Eastmont Wildcats came to town and took it to the Bombers by a score of 31 to 8.
The lone highlight for the Bombers came early in the first quarter when Jake McKinney ran for a 71-yard touchdown. Unfortunately for the Bombers, it was just tip of the nightmare. A clipping penalty at the 50 yard line negated the touchdown and ended any real offensive threat that Richland could mount. Shortly after, McKinney left the game with an injury and without their biggest offensive threat, the momentum that carrried the Bombers through the second half of the Pasco game evaporated.
Forced to go to the passing game before establishing a consistent running game against a fired up Eastmont team proved to be a disaster. While Richland was able to move the ball effectively in spurts, ill-timed penalties and a rash of turnovers sapped any chance they had at catching the Wildcats. In total, the Bombers fumbled six times, losing three, and threw a combined four interceptions including one that Eastmont's Brandon Hancock returned for a 51-yard touchdown. That made the score 21 to 0 half way through the second quarter. Unlike last week, though, the Bombers were without the weapons necessary to mount any form of comeback.
The Bombers were able to stave off the shutout in the fourth quarter when Chris Hayes hit Cord Ramsay on a 4 yard touchdown pass. Another nice pass to Brennan Creer gave Richland 8 points and a little momentum but after the onside kick failed to produce, any threat coming from the green and gold was swiftly extinguished.
Next week, the Bombers travel to Yakima to take on the West Valley Rams at Clasen Field. Why not make the drive, take in the game and cheer yourself hoarse, the stop by Miner's and soothe your throat with a big burger and large milkshake! See you there!
Go Bombers!
Bombers Honoring Coach Covington on Friday
Richland High School will honor former football coach J.D. Covington prior to Friday's Columbia Basin Big Nine Cascade opener against Eastmont at Fran Rish Stadium.
Covington led the Bombers from 1971-85, going 110-43 and winning the 1981 state title among his seven playoff appearances.
The school is asking that all players and coaches during Covington's career arrive prior to the 7 p.m. festivities and gather on the sideline. If you are within driving distance, please consider coming to this game. This should be a very special night for Coach Covington and his family.
Pasco 21 Richland 20
|
Richland Bombers |
20 |
 |
Pasco Bulldogs |
21 |
September 4, 2009
If you attended the game between the Richland Bombers and the Pasco Bulldogs tonight, you got your money's worth because you got to see two games for the price of one admission ticket.
Pasco roared out of the gate scoring on their first posession when Josh Morris hit Brandon Search on a 19-yard pass for a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. They moved the ball well and the Bombers seemed to be a step behind and were having a difficult time getting in sync. A fumble combined with an ill-timed illegal procedure call led to a second Bulldog touchdown when Search scampered 5 yards for another score.
Richland then had another three-and-out series followed by a 14 yard punt and five playes later Morris hit Jacob Price on an 8 yard touchdown pass and a 21-0 Bulldog lead. Seemingly the rout was on and it was just a matter of time before it got silly.
After the kickoff the Bombers went on a drive starting at their own 20. It looked like Richland would have another three-and-out but Hayden Hilty recovered from a high snap on the punt and was able to get the kick off right before a Bulldog player tackled him. Fifteen yards, a new set of downs, and the mood in the stadium took a decided 180 degree turn. Jake McKinney then embarked on one of the greatest nights in Bomber history snapping off runs of 22 and 15 yards respectively down to the Bulldog nine. While the series ended on a missed 29 yard field goal, there was something definitely different about this club.
Down 21 to 0, the Bombers wasted little time in the second half. After Pasco punted the first posession, McKinney started back in and pounded the Bulldogs over a nine-play drive that ended on an 8 yard run and cut the lead to 21 to 7. The Bomber defense showed, too, that it had finally awoken and had pretty much solved the Pasco offense sacking Morris for a 10 yard loss and forcing a punt and a new set of downs on the Pasco 45 yard line. Eight plays, including another 23 yard run by Jake, and the Bombers crept back into the game, 21 to 14.
At this point, the wheels were starting to come off the Bulldog bus. Pasco got a nice 42 yard pass play from Morris to Marques Avery but two straight illegal procedure penaties and an 8 yard sack left them with nothing after a 50 yard field goal attempt failed. The Bombers were now in control but it was the fourth quarter and time was running out.
Once more, Jake McKinnney was a man posessed. 17 yards. 15 yards, 18 yards. The Bombers were marching down the field like an army through France but after a few attempts at firing up the non-existent passing game, they found themselves with a fourth and four on the Bulldog 18 and 3 minutes and 40 seconds remaining. Hilty dropped back and tried to loft a short pass in the flat but the ball flew over the receiver's head and fell harmlessly to the ground. Now, you'd think the story would end their but Richland's defense had some more magic remaining.
Pasco was hit immediately with two straight delay of game penalties and Richland pestered Josh Morris into an intentional grounding call. Tack on another twelve yards and the loss of a down and the Bulldogs were at their own 5 yard line. After a very short punt Richland took over on the 36. One play later, Jake McKinney pounced across the goal line for his third touchdown after a 36 yard run. The improbable comeback had happened and Richland was poised to send a dagger through the heart of the Bulldog faithful.
The saying goes that you go for the tie at home and the win on the road so Mike Neidhold and the boys went with this convention and decided to go for two points and why not? Pasco hadn't had any success in stopping the Bombers for well over a half so the odds were pretty good that they could get the last three yards. Unfortunately for Richland, the defense that had bent like a willow for the entire second half, found the strength they needed when it counted and stopped McKinney on the two yard line and preserved the win.
This was a great game for the Bombers. They never gave up. They just kept attacking the Bulldogs and after the dust settled, Jake McKinney had racked up 291 yards on 28 carries. The Bomber defense was amazing in the second half and I don't think the coaches or the fans could be any prouder of the boys in green and gold tonight.
Please come out next Friday night at Fran Rish Stadium as the Bombers home opener features the Eastmont Wildcats from East Wenatchee. I hope to see you there.
Important Information for Bomber Football 2009
Richland Bomber Football. Respect All, Fear None.
- Head Coach: Mike Neidhold
- RHS: 967.6535
- E: Mike.Neidhold@rsd.edu
August 4, 2009
Dear Players and Families,
I can hardly believe that the summer is fast approaching its end and start of our school year is just around the corner. My wish for all of you is to have had a wonderful, restful summer. I hope you were able to get away from the daily grind and take a vacation. There are several things to get to in this letter so I'll dive right in.
PARENTS: There is a new way to access the sports schedules this year. Please log on to Highschoolsports.net for information on schedules and other time specific documents. There will be more information on this web site at the parent meeting on August 12th.
SPORTS CLEARANCE NIGHT Sports clearance night is set for August 12th at the RHS cafeteria at 6:00 PM. Packets for the football season are available in the main office. Please have all the proper forms signed and ready to go at this meeting. If you have any questions about the sports clearance process or the fees involved, please contact me or Mike Edwards, [Athletic Director] at Richland High School.
There will be a parent meeting immediately after the clearance process. Please try and be at this meeting as important information about the season will be handed out and announced.
CONDITIONING CLINIC AND TEST On August 17t at 9:00 AM, and on Aug 18th at 9:00 AM, we will meet in the stadium locker room for a quick meeting. If you plan on playing this year, BE AT THIS MEETING. If you cannot be there, you need to call me on the numbers listed in this letter as well as on the letter head NO EXCEPTIONS. The conditioning test will be as follows: You will have to run 300 meter sprint on the stadium track have a one minute rest, and then repeat. The two times will be averaged together. The idea is to meet your target time. Target times for passing are by position: VARSITY: OL-DL: 58 seconds Linebackers: 52 seconds QB-RB-DB: 48 Seconds FROSH: OL-DL: 64 seconds Linebackers: 58 seconds QB-RB-DB: 52 Seconds If you fail to meet your target time, you will have to opportunity to meet your target time with another conditioning test. You will take the conditioning test until you meet your target time. Most of you have been involved in the BAD program all summer, and it was nice to see so many of you in the weight room at 7:00 am, I was impressed with your workouts and how active you all were. I would suggest that you get started right away on some sort of running workout the conditioning test is a bear BE READY!!!
ACADEMIC CLEARANCE: There are new WIAA academic guidelines in effect this school year. YOU MUST HAVE PASSED 5 CLASSES AT THE END OF THE YEAR SEMESTER REPORTING PERIOD TO MAINTAIN YOUR ATHLETIC ELIGILITY. Our athletic department has done grade checks from the end of the school year as well as summer school; you will be notified if you are academically ineligible. If you are academically ineligible, you must start the season with the team and attend all scheduled practice sessions to retain your playing status. WIAA RULES STATE THAT ALL PLAYERS MUST HAVE 12 PRACTICES BEFORE YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO PLAY IN YOUR FIRST GAME. [2 A DAY PRACTICES COUNT AS ONE DAY]
Fall Practice Schedule 2009
- AUGUST 17, 9:00 AM
- ALL PLAYERS CONDITIONING TESTING DAY 1 STADIUM TRACK [Equipment issued for those who need gear after conditioning tests.]
- AUGUST 18, 9:00 AM
- ALL PLAYERS CONDITIONING TESTING DAY 2 STADIUM TRACK [Equipment issued for those who need gear after conditioning tests.]
- PRACTICE 1: WEDNESDAY AUGUST 19
- 8:00-11:00 AM ALL PLAYERS CARMICHAEL PRACTICE FIELDS HELMETS ONLY
- PRACTICE 2: THURSDAY AUGUST 20
- 8:00-11:00 AM ALL PLAYERS
- 3:00-5:30 PM ALL PLAYERS CARMICHAEL PRACTICE FIELDS HELMETS ONLY
- PRACTICE 3: FRIDAY AUGUST 21
- 8:00-11:00 AM ALL PLAYERS
- 3:00-5:30 PM ALL PLAYERS CARMICHAEL PRACTICE FIELDS HELMETS ONLY
- PRACTICE 4: SATURDAY AUGUST 22
- 8:00-11:00 AM ALL PLAYERS
- 3:00-5:30 PM ALL PLAYERS CARMICHAEL PRACTICE FIELDS FULL GEAR
- PRACTICE 5: MONDAY AUGUST 24
- 3:00-5:30 PM ALL PLAYERS CARMICHAEL PRACTICE FIELDS FULL GEAR
- PRACTICE 6: TUESDAY AUGUST 25
- 3:00-5:30 PM ALL PLAYERS CARMICHAEL PRACTICE FIELDS FULL GEAR
- PRACTICE 7: WEDNESDAY AUGUST 26
- 3:00-5:30 PM ALL PLAYERS CARMICHAEL PRACTICE FIELDS FULL GEAR
- PRACTICE 8: THURSDAY AUGUST 27
- 3:00-5:30 PM ALL PLAYERS CARMICHAEL PRACTICE FIELDS FULL GEAR
- PRACTICE 9: FRIDAY AUGUST 28
- 8:00-11:00 AM ALL PLAYERS
- 3:00-5:30 PM ALL PLAYERS CARMICHAEL PRACTICE FIELDS FULL GEAR
- PRACTICE 10: SATURDAY AUGUST 29
- 8:00-11:00 AM ALL PLAYERS
- 3:00-5:30 PM ALL PLAYERS CARMICHAEL PRACTICE FIELDS FULL GEAR
- 6:00 PM 2ND ANNUAL BELLY FLOP CONTEST GEORGE PROUT POOL
- PRACTICE 11: MONDAY AUGUST 31
- 3:00-5:30 PM ALL PLAYERS CARMICHAEL PRACTICE FIELDS FULL GEAR
- PRACTICE 12: TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 1
- FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
- 3:00-5:30 PM ALL PLAYERS CARMICHAEL PRACTICE FIELDS FULL GEAR
- PRACTICE 13: WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 2
- 3:00-5:30 PM ALL PLAYERS CARMICHAEL PRACTICE FIELDS FULL GEAR
- PRACTICE 14: THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 3
- VARSITY: PRE-GAME BOMBER BOWL
- FROSH: GAME TBD [THURSDAY OR SATURDAY]
- FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4
- GAME DAY AT PASCO 7:30 PM EDGAR BRROWN
