Game Recap October 17, 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!
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October 16, 20091234Final
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Kamiakin Braves21
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Richland Bombers14
