Game Recap November 2, 2011
The Richland Bombers battled the Davis Pirates for the right to enter the state playoffs and a date with the Mead Panthers. The Bombers played some of their best football of the year but an old nemesis returned in the form of a bad extra point snap and the Pirates came away with a 21-20 victory in double overtime at Lion's Field in Moses Lake.
A three-way tie for third in the Big-9 4A division was the reason for the playoff. In the first game (two 8-minute halves), Davis barely squeaked by the Wenatchee Panthers when Daniel Guzman clanked a 29 yard field goal off the cross bar for a 3-0 win.
After a 20 minute break, the Bombers took the field and started with the ball. The Bombers marched the ball down the field and the Pirates were having a tough time containing BK Robinson. In fact, they didn't stop him. A fumble did. After the Pirates recovered the ball on their own 37 yard line they passed their way to a touchdown on a 6-play drive that ended when Deion Wright found Cooper Kupp for a 23 yard touchdown pass and a 7-0 lead.
Richland would answer right back. Starting with only 4 minutes left in the first half BK and Cameron Simpson shared the load and got the Bombers to the Davis 44 yard line. Then Zach Whitby decided to make a family connection and hit tight end Ethan Whitby for a 44 yard touchdown pass.
Davis went three and out on their next posession and the Bombers quickly got the ball to the Davis 35 but the Pirates were able to get an interception that ended the half with the ballgame tied at 7.
Davis got the ball to start the second half and embarked on a 71 yard, 9 play drive that ended when Austin Wagner sauntered in from 9 yards out to make it 14-7 Pirates.
With only 4 minutes left in the game, the Bombers wasted no time. Davis was helpless to stop either Cameron or BK. Robinson got the drive started with a 35 yard kickoff return to the 46 yard line. It then took five plays with BK getting 33 yards on two carries and Cameron getting the other 21 including an 11 yard touchdown run that tied the game at 14.
On to the Kansas City overtime. Each team starts their drive on the 25 yard line and if it is still tied after each gets a turn, they start over again.
Richland got the ball in the first overtime and it looked very promising. BK had a 19 yard run down to the 6 yard line, and then a 1 yard run to the 5. Unfortunately on the next play the Bombers fumbled and the ball was recovered by the Pirates. On the first play of Davis' drive, Wright fumbled the ball and it was picked up by Tory Weitz who then proceeded to rumble 75 yards for the winning touchdown.
What, you say? Well, then the game got weird. The zebras congregated in the middle of the field for awhile and then three of them ran off into the locker room, presumably to either 1) find a rulebook, or 2) escape an angry mob of Bomber fans. Apparently, the rulebook theory was correct because they soon returned. After the umpire had a conference with each coach it turns out that Kansas City overtime acts much like an extra point. Once the ball changes hands, the ball is dead and cannot be returned. I know, none of the Bomber fans in the stadium were excited by that rule either.
In the second overtime, Davis was given the first chance to score. Despite a holding penalty, the Pirates scored on Deion Wright to David Trimble touchdown pass after a 7-play drive. Guzman kicked the extra point making it a 21-14 game.
The Bombers then made short work of their second opportunity. BK ran for 7 yards to the 18. Whitby then completed a pass to Colter Quick for 10 more down to the 8, and then BK finished the job with a clean, 8 yard touchdown run. Unfortunately, that is where the story ends. The snap on the point after attempt sailed over Connor Egberts head. He picked up the ball and scrambled his way free and he was able to complete a short pass, but the Pirates stopped the Bombers on the one yard line to preserve the victory and a date with the Mead Panthers on Friday night in Spokane.
The Bombers will complete their season at home on Friday night at Fran Rish Stadium against the Lewis and Clark Tigers. After losing a heartbreaker, it's a nice little bonus to be able to finish the season at home. Let's all come out on Friday night and give the Bombers a nice sendoff for a good season of football.
Go Bombers!
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November 1, 20111234Final
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Richland Bombers20
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Davis Pirates21
