Game Recap September 29, 2012
The Richland Bombers came out on fire at Lampson Stadium but couldn't maintain the heat and dropped a game to the Kamiakin Braves 25-14.
The Bombers won the coin toss, caught the kickoff, and proceeded to excert their will against the Braves. Zach Whitby found a streaking Gibson McGeorge down the middle of the field and Gibson rumbled 43 yards to the Kamiakin 11-yard line. Two plays later, Whitby executed a perfect quarterback draw for a 5-yard touchdown and a quick 7-0 lead.
After the Braves were forced to punt, the Bombers were at it again, this time highlighted by a 51-yard run by Josh Phillips that put the ball deep in Kamiakin territory. Unfortunately, the effort went for naught when Kevin Garza's 25 yard field goal attempt was blocked.
The Bombers then put the Braves on their heels when Mason Baird intercepted a Kylle Robertson pass at the Kamiakin 24. Two plays later, Whitby connected with Sheldon Liikala for a 9-yard touchdown pass and Richland was cruising.
And then it stopped. I can't pinpoint exactly what happened but somewhere between the first and second quarters the momentum shifted. I imagine in my head as one of the old World War II movies where one engine on the B-17 flames out and dies. The pilot and the co-pilot look at each other and try to act like it's normal. But then the second engine flames out and they know that it's just a matter of time before physics wins.
The Braves turnaround started innocently enough. With little over 5 minutes remaining in the first half, they found themselves starting a new drive on their own 1-yard line. Eleven plays later, Robertson connected with Cameron Rathbun for a 13-yard touchdown. At this point the Bombers still had some luck on their side when the extra point sailed wide.
The Bombers next drive quickly went three and out and a short punt gave the Braves the ball on their own 48 with just less than a minute to go in the half. It turned out to be just enough time for Robertson and Javan Williams to march down the field with Williams scoring on a 36-yard touchdown pass. This time, Derek Redden blocked the extra point and the Bombers carried a slim 14-12 lead into halftime..
In the second half, the Bomber offense went dormant. Both defenses were holding steady but late in the third quarter, Kamiakin got moving and scored the go ahead touchdown on a 1-yard Robertson run. The final dagger came when Javan Williams intercepted a Zach Whitby pass and returned it 26-yards for a touchdown. Kamiakin finally made an extra point providing the final score of Kamiakin 25, Richland 14.
If there is any good that came out of this game it is that the Bombers will not play any more regular season games at Lampson Stadium in 2012. Each of the remaining four games will be played at Fran Rish Stadium in Richland including an away game against the Hanford Falcons.
The Bombers next opponent will be the Kennewick Lions on Friday, October 5, 2012 at 7:00PM. Kennewick, as with Southridge and Kamiakin, is very tough this year so the Bombers will have their hands full again. It should be a great game so please join us next Friday.
Go Bombers!
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September 28, 20121234Final
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Richland Bombers1400014
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Kamiakin Braves0126725
- 1st Quarter
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Touchdown: Zach Whitby 5 yard run (Kevin Garza kick) (8:59)
Richland 7, Kamiakin 0 -
Touchdown: Sheldon Liikala 15 yard pass from Whitby (Garza kick) (1:10)
Richland 14, Kamiakin 0 - 2nd Quarter
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Touchdown: Cameron Rathbun 13 yard pass from Kyle Robertson (kick fail) (1:57)
Richland 14, Kamiakin 6 -
Touchdown: Jovan Williams 36 yard pass from Robertson (kick fail) (:24)
Richland 14, Kamiakin 12 - 3rd Quarter
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Touchdown: Robertson 1 yard run (pass fail) (3:01)
Kamiakin 18, Richland 14 - 4th Quarter
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Touchdown: Williams 27 yard interception return (Connor Shymanski kick) (9:36)
Kamiakin 25, Richland 14
