Game Recap November 28, 2015
In 1979 the Richland Bomber basketball team lost their first game of the season to the Gonzaga Prep Bullpups and then proceeded to win 26 straight games and the state championship. The 2015 Richland Bomber football team was trying to duplicate history but fell just a few minutes short in a 31-17 loss to those same Bullpups in the State 4A Semifinal game at Edgar Brown Memorial Stadium in Pasco.
This game played out much like their first matchup on September 4th at Fran Rish. On the third play of the game, the Bullpups sacked Paxton Stevens and knocked the ball out of his hands. The ball bounced into the endzone and off several players before being recovered by the Bomber for the safety and the Bullpups led 2-0.
The Bomber defense showed Gonzaga Prep that they would not go quietly, forcing a fumble on their second play from scrimage which was recovered by Brecken Galliher. The defenses owned the first quarter and each team traded punts.
Late in the first quarter Gonzaga Prep was able to get something started running the ball. Starting on their own 32 yard line the Bullpups pounded the ball 11 plays and scored when Nick Johson took the ball around end for the touchdown upping their lead to 9-0.
The offensive dam broke for the Bombers as well in the second quarter. Richland's first scoring drive started on their own 37 and was highlighted by Ryan Wolski's acrobatic third down catch for 14 yards. The drive stalled on the Prep 11 so the Bomber settled for a 32 yard Wolski field goal and the Bombers were on the board down 9-3.
The Bomber defense quickly got the ball back when Lakota Wills recovered a fumble on the Bullpups 30 yard line. Paxton Stevens found Griffey March for 20 yards, After Lakota ground the ball to the 1 yard line, Kyle Whitby finished it off with a 1 yard touchdown run. Unfortunately, Wolski's extra point duck-hooked left and the game was tied at 9-9.
The Bullpups struck back on their first play as LIam Bell connected with Nick Johnson for 34 yards putting them inside Bomber territory. Four running plays later and Bell found Devin Culp in the end zone. The PAT was blocked by the Bombers but Gonzaga Prep held the lead 15-9 heading into halftime.
The third quarter was dominate by the defenses once again with each team sharing a couple punts. The Bombers had the most success sustaining a long 11-play drive that seemed to last forever. Technically it did due to 5 penalties that kept pushing them back one step for every step forward. The drive stalled, though, and it was up to Ryan Wolski to pin the Bullpups deep. And deep he did, forcing the Bullpups to begin their last drive of the third quarter at their own 1 yard line.Three plays later Griffey March tackled the Bullpup runner in the end zone for a safety and the Bombers entered the fourth quarter down only by four, 15-11.
The Bomber offense started to click. Kyle Whitby gained 12 yards on two rushes, then Paxton Stevens hit Alex Chapman for 20 yards to the 24. Paxton hit Rhett Levin on two consecutive passes for 15 and 8 yards respectively down to the 2 yard line. On his second attempt, Kyle Whitby ran it in from two yards. The extra point was blocked, but the Bombers held the lead 17-15 with 7:56 remaining in the game.
The Bullpups were able to swiftly recover from adversity though when Bell passed to Devin Culp for 35 yards down to the Bomber 9 yard line. The the Gonzaga Beast Evan Weaver bulled his way into the end zone for a 2 yard touchdown and the lead returned to Prep at 23-17 with 5:36 and plenty of time remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Bomber drive started on their own 39 yard line and started out well with Lakota pounding out four yards and Paxton hitting Alex Chapman for another 8 to put the ball just inside Bullpup territory. The Bombers tried to pass their way for another score but three straight passes ended with a loss of downs and time running out.
The Bomber defense, so valiant all game, had finally run out of steam. Evan Weaver with apparently fresh legs on his 6'4 245 pound frame, took the game into his own hands and took up the final 37 yards on five plays giving Gonzaga Prep their final score of 31-17.
Overall, this was a great game. The Richland Bombers played their hearts out and proved they were more than worthy of their third place trophy in the state tournament. This was a very fun year to watch and is easily the best team Richland has had since the 1999 state championship team.
Congratulations to all of the Bomber players, coaches, and parents for a thoroughly exciting year. All of your hard work is greatly appreciated by the entire community and we hope you hold your heads high.
Thank you to everyone who has helped me cover the games this year. We'll be back next year for the 104th year of Richland Bomber Football.
| Saturday, November 28, 2015 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gonzaga Prep Bullpups | 2 | 13 | 0 | 16 | 31 |
| Richland Bombers | 0 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 17 |
| Scoring Plays | R | GP | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offense recovers fumble in endzone GP safety | 2 | 0 | 11:15 (1) |
| GP Johnson 2 yard run (GP Kutsch kick) | 9 | 0 | 11:28 (2) |
| R Wolski 32 yard field goal | 9 | 3 | 6:08 (2) |
| R Kyle Whitby 2 yard run (kick fail) | 9 | 9 | 3:45 (2) |
| 87GP Culp 6 yard pass from 11GP Bell (kick blocked) | 15 | 9 | 1:18 (2) |
| GP tackled in endzone. Richland safety. | 15 | 11 | 1:10 (3) |
| 2R Kyle Whitby 2 yard run (kick blocked) | 15 | 17 | 7:56 (4) |
| 89GP Weaver 2 yard run (11GP to 30GP for two points) | 23 | 17 | 5:37 (4) |
| 89GP Weaver 2 yard run (11GP to 12GP for two points) | 31 | 17 | 1:43 (4) |
Go Bombers!
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November 28, 20151234Final
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Gonzaga Prep Bullpups21301631
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Richland Bombers092617
- 1st Quarter
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Safety: Richland recovers own fumble in endzone. (11:15)
Gonzaga Prep 2, Richland 0 - 2nd Quarter
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Touchdown: Johnson 2 yard run (Kutch kick) (10:28)
Gonzaga Prep 9, Richland 0 -
Field Goal: Wolski 32 yards (6:08)
Gonzaga Prep 9, Richland 3 -
Touchdown: Kyle Whitby 2 yard run (kick fail) (3:45)
Richland 9, Gonzaga Prep 9 -
Touchdown: Culp 6 yard pass from Bell (kick blocked) (1:18)
Gonzaga Prep 15, Richland 9 - 3rd Quarter
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Safety: Gonzaga Prep tackled in the endzone (1:10)
Gonzaga Prep 15, Richland 11 - 4th Quarter
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Touchdown: Kyle Whitby 2 yard run (kick blocked) (7:56)
Richland 17, Gonzaga Prep 15 -
Touchdown: Weaver 2 yard run (pass 11 to 30 good) (5:37)
Gonzaga Prep 23, Richland 17 -
Touchdown: Weaver 2 yard run (pass 11 to 30 good) (1:43)
Gonzaga Prep 31, Richland 17
- News/Media
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Semifinal set Saturday
Tri-City Herald: Monday November 23, 2015
Tri-City Herald article from November 23, 2015 noting the place and time of the State 4A Semifinal game between Richland and Gonzaga Prep. 1PM at Edgar Brown Stadium in Pasco on November 28, 2015.
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Galliher backs Bombers' run
Tri-City Herald: Saturday November 28, 2015
Tri-City Herald article by Jeff Morrow on Brecken Galliher and the Richland Bombers game against the Gonzaga Prep Bullpups on November 28, 2015
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Spokesman-Review: Gonzaga Prep overcomes Richland in semifinals to earn berth in State 4A title game
Spokane Spokesman-Review: Sunday November 29, 2015
Spokesman-Review article by Greg Lee detailing the Gonzaga Prep / Richland game on November 29, 2015.
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Tri-City Herald: Victory just out of reach for Richland
Tri-City Herald: Sunday November 29, 2015
Tri-City Herald article by Jeff Morrow reviewing the State 4A Semifinal game between the Richland Bombers and the Gonzaga Prep Bullpups. Richland lost 31-17 and gained third place in state.
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