Game Recap September 9, 2017
The Wenatchee Panthers came to town and went toe-to-toe with the Bombers through one series. It wasn't enough. Cade Jensen and the Richland offense proceeded in scoring on eight straight possessions en route to a 56-8 home opening victory on a warm, and thankfully clear, September evening.
The first half barage started on the Wenatchee 48 yard line. Starting with the run and gradually moving to the pass, the Bombers started the scoring when Jensen connected with Sammy Cervantes for 15 yards and a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
Adam Weissenfels then executed a perfect onside kick giving the Bombers the ball at midfield. Three plays later, Parker McCary scored from 15 yards out to make it 14-0.
Another three-and-out put the Bombers at the Wenatchee 43. Jensen connected with Ryan Kriskovich for 16 followed by three incompletions. On fourth and ten at the 27, Jensen found Cody Sanderson for 23 yards. McCary pushed it across from the four. 21-0 with 3:34 remaining in the first quarter.
After a pass interference penalty, Wenatchee finally reached the 50 yard line only to see Austin Blakney's pass fall into the arms of Sammy Cervantes who ran it back for another apparent touchdown. But the refs caught the Bombers holding on the return and the Bombers had to settle for the 26 yard line. Eight plays later Jensen connected with Weissenfels for a three-yard touchdown. A bad snap on the hold turned out to be Wenatchee's only ally, Bombers 27, Wenatchee 0 with 43.4 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The Bomber starting defense was absolutely stellar and without a player like Bellevue's Isaiah Ifanse to break the line the Panthers quickly found themselves punting one more time. Weissenfels took the punt at the Bomber 45 and ran the ball back to the Wenatchee 27. Jensen passed to Weissenfels on the next play for 21 more yards and Tyler Fishback put the dagger in from six yards out and Richland's lead was now extended to 34-0 with 11:48 remaining in the first half which left many in the crowd praying for the mercy of a running clock in the second half.
Mercy for Wenatchee came in the form of the Bomber second string defense. The Panthers behind the strong arm of Austin Blakney mounted a 15 play drive that culminated in a touchdown pass to Darius Carlson. A nifty fake by kicker Cameron Wheeler who passed to Gavin Corrigan for the two point conversion put the Panthers on the board at 34-8.
The Bombers, of course were not done. Jensen to McCary yielded a ten yard touchdown thanks, in part, to a great runback on the kickoff by Cody Sanderson. The point after provided some fun when Ryan Kriskovich pitched the ball to kicker Weissenfels who ran it around the end only to turn around and find Kriskovich across the field for the two point conversion. 42-8 Bombers.
The next series capped off the offensive show with Cade Jensen throwing his fourth touchdown pass of the half to Sanderson and the 40 point buffer required for the merciful running clock was realized with the Bombers leading 49-8.
Austin Blakney then used it arms and legs to mount another assault to the Bomber 16 yard line with time running out in the first half. But Adam Weissenfels cut in front of the next pass and ran it back 90 yards for the final score of the evening. With 18.5 seconds remaining in the first half the Bombers held the final 56-8 advantage.
While the second half running clock did provide the secondary players from each side a chance for some time on the field, nobody envied the long ride home to Wenatchee for the Panther players, staff, and parents.
Was this a perfect game for the Bombers? No, it was not. There were still too many penalties. The rash of encroachment penalties at Bellevue were replaced by several holding penalties so Coach Neidhold and the boys have some work to do in order to play a cleaner game. Better to have them now then later against the teeth of the Mid-Columbia Conference.
Next week is another home game, this time against the always tough Kennewick Lions. We hope you join us.
Go Bombers!
- Atomic TV Highlights: Bombers v. Wenatchee
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September 8, 20171234Final
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Wenatchee Panthers08008
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Richland Bombers27290056
- 1st Quarter
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Touchdown: Cade Jensen 15 yard pass to Sammy Cervantes (Adam Weissenfels kick) (6:45)
Richland 7, Wenatchee 0 -
Touchdown: Parker McCary 15 yard run (Weissenfels kick) (6:03)
Richland 14, Wenatchee 0 -
Touchdown: Parker McCary 4 yard run (3:34)
Richland 21, Wenatchee 0 -
Touchdown: Jensen 3 yard pass to Weissenfels (PAT fail) (48.4)
Richland 27, Wenatchee 0 - 2nd Quarter
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Touchdown: Tyler Fishback 6 yard run (Weissenfels kick) (11:48)
Richland 34, Wenatchee 0 -
Touchdown: Austin Blakney 5 yard pass to Darius Carlson (pass good) (8:11)
Richland 34, Wenatchee 8 -
Touchdown: Jensen 10 yard pass to McCary (pass good) (7:15)
Richland 42, Wenatchee 8 -
Touchdown: Jensen 12 yard pass to Cody Sanderson (Weissenfels kick) (2:40)
Richland 49, Wenatchee 8 -
Touchdown: Weissenfels 90 yard interception return (Weissenfels kick) (18.5)
Richland 56, Wenatchee 8
- News/Media
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Mid-Columbia games Friday are still uncertain
Tri-City Herald: Friday September 8, 2017
Wildfires across the west are wreaking havoc on weather around the region. Article from Dustin Brennan on September 8, 2017.
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Bombers, Jensen now set sights on Wenatchee
Tri-City Herald: Friday September 8, 2017
Tri-City Herald article by Dustin Brennan in the Friday, September 8, 2017 edition.
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Bombers go big vs. Wenatchee
Tri-City Herald: Saturday September 9, 2017
Tri-City Herald photograph by Noelle Haro-Gomez in the Saturday, September 9, 2017 edition.
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Wenatchee football beaten by Richland
Wenatchee World: Sunday September 10, 2017
Article by Brian DeShazo in the Sunday, September 9, 2017 edition of the Wenatchee World.
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Bombers shake off smoky week, bomb Wenatchee
Tri-City Herald: Sunday September 10, 2017
Tri-City Herald article by Jeff Morrow in the Sunday, September 10, 2017 edition.
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Seattle Times high school football rankings
Seattle Times: Thursday September 14, 2017
September 14, 2017 edition of the the Seattle Times. Richland stays steady at number 3 in the 4A poll, Kamiakin stays at number 3 in the 3A poll.
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Kamiakin, Royal hold steady; Richland drops
Tri-City Herald: Thursday September 14, 2017
Tri-City Herald story by Annie Fowler. 4A Prep Football Poll.
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