BOMBERS TAKE HEARTBREAKING FALL TO THE EAGLES

2023 WIAA PLAYOFFS: FIRST ROUND

2023 GAME 12: Saturday November 11, 2023

Game Recap November 17, 2023

BY ALEX BILLINGS

Read the article in the Atomic Times

Four hours away in Graham Washington, the Bombers took on the Graham-Kapowsin Eagles in an exhilarating match that had you sitting on the end of your seat. The Richland Bombers, coming off a stunning win against the Eastmont Wildcats, who were previously ranked #1 in the state, were ready to battle. The Graham-Kapowsin Eagles, having an astonishing 11-0 record this season, came out fighting just as hard.

While the Bombers put their blood, sweat, and tears into this match, the Eagles took home the 56-35 win. Richland took the first touchdown just under two minutes into the first quarter, stunning the Eagles.

The GK Eagles kick-off to the Bombers to start the game. Quarterback Josh Woodard finds Junior running back Jake Brannon for a first down. That connection was just what the bombers needed to find their first touchdown of the night. On the next play, Woodard throws a 68-yard touchdown to Brody Bocek. This will be one of three touchdowns for the sophomore wide receiver and will set the tone for the outstanding game he is about to play.

The Eagles bounced back right off the bat with a touchdown of their own. The Eagles started the drive with a 35-yard carry, leaving them at the one-yard line. Graham-Kapowsin Quarterback Daveon Superales finds senior wide receiver Alele Fa'apito-leao in the endzone for the Eagles' first touchdown of the game. 

The Bomber fought the Eagles the entire half, coming right back and scoring their second touchdown. Bocek's second touchdown of the night. The Eagles wouldn't take it and scored on the Bombers shortly after, with a 47-yard pass from quarterback Superales to Oregon State Commit Malachi Durant, who would have a stunning game for the Eagles. After multiple attempts at stopping the Eagles' extra point, Junior Zach Rose for the Bombers stops the kick, leaving the Eagles down by one point in the first quarter.  This back-and-forth fight continued, both teams brawling the duration of the half, leaving the halftime score to be 21-35, Graham-Kapowsin Eagles in the lead.

The second half kick-started with the Eagles having a 20-yard screen pass to senior wide receiver Jabez Woods, setting them up for what they hoped would be their fourth touchdown of the game. But the Bombers wouldn't let that happen. Superales attempts to find Durant, but thanks to senior cornerback Rayce Reeves for the bombers, the ball slips through Durant's hands, which then makes it second down for the Eagles. On the Eagles' third down, the ball is intercepted by the Bombers' own senior Chris Daniels. The Bombers were ready to go. Woodard throws an eye-catching 30-yard touchdown pass to wide-open Rayce Reeves for the first Bomber touchdown of the half.

The Eagles would have no more; they were ready to fight. The Eagles line up on the 30-yard line, and after two failed attempts, Jabez Woods runs the ball in for another GK touchdown. This would be the start of a three-touchdown streak from the Eagles. The Bomber defense had many amazing stops, and the Bombers had one more touchdown of their own in this second half. While one look at the scoreboard might make you think it was a blowout, this game was hard fought, and everyone watching was sitting on the edge of their seats. The Bombers are the #16 seed in the state playoffs but are up a significant fight against #1 ranked Graham-Kapowsin. The Eagles head coach, Jeff Logan, casually said to the coaching staff at Richland, “We never want to play Richland again. You guys scared us.”

With Bomber football coming to an end this Saturday after a tough loss, many seniors felt strong emotions toward their last game in the green and gold. I spoke with Senior Nathan McClelland about his final game as a Bomber. “The main thing for me is cherishing the memories I have had with each and every one the past four years.” When speaking with McClelland about this game, he mentioned how tough it is to play in what could be your last game. “It's never easy knowing it could be your last game. Near the end of the game, you look up at the scoreboard and see the clock ticking; it hits you. This will be the last of everything you do on the field.”   I was also able to speak with senior quarterback Josh Woodard, who is not only a stud on the football field but also on the basketball court. Woodard had heartwarming words to say about his last Bomber football game, “Bomber football will always have a special place in my heart, but I'm excited to start my senior basketball season.” 

Bomber football means so much not only to the players and coaches but also to the students and fans of the game. It's heartbreaking to see 2023 Bomber football come to an end.

  • November 11, 2023
    1
    2
    3
    4
     
    Final
  • Richland Bombers
    14
    7
    7
    7
     
    35
  • Graham-Kapowsin Eagles
    20
    15
    7
    14
     
    56
  • 1st Quarter
  • Touchdown: Brody Bocek 67 Yd Pass From Joshua Woodard (Jason Slack Kick) (10:44)
    Richland 7, Graham-Kapowsin 0
  • Touchdown: Alele Fa'apito-leao 1 Yd Pass From Daveon Superales (Aidan Skolrud Kick) (9:14)
    Richland 7, Graham-Kapowsin 7
  • Touchdown: Brody Bocek 23 Yd Pass From Joshua Woodard (Jason Slack Kick) (6:47)
    Richland 14, Graham-Kapowsin 7
  • Touchdown: Malachi Durant 47 Yd Pass From Daveon Superales (Kick Blocked) (6:09)
    Richland 14, Graham-Kapowsin 13
  • Touchdown: Malachi Durant 64 Yd Pass From Daveon Superales (Aidan Skolrud Kick) (3:19)
    Graham-Kapowsin 20, Richland 14
  • 2nd Quarter
  • Touchdown: Brody Bocek 30 Yd Pass From Joshua Woodard (Jason Slack Kick) (11:51)
    Richland 21, Graham-Kapowsin 20
  • Touchdown: Daveon Superales 27 Yd Fumble Recovery (Daveon Superales Run For Two-Point Conversion) (7:06)
    Graham-Kapowsin 28, Richland 21
  • Touchdown: Khris Norris 13 Yd Pass From Daveon Superales (Aidan Skolrud Kick) (0:27.3)
    Graham-Kapowsin 35, Richland 21
  • 3rd Quarter
  • Touchdown: Rayce Reeves 78 Yd Pass From Joshua Woodard (Jason Slack Kick) (10:32)
    Graham-Kapowsin 35, Richland 28
  • Touchdown: Jabez Woods 25 Yd Pass From Daveon Superales (Aidan Skolrud Kick) (6:30)
    Graham-Kapowsin 42, Richland 28
  • 4th Quarter
  • Touchdown: Malachi Durant 8 Yd Pass From Daveon Superales (Aidan Skolrud Kick) (11:52)
    Graham-Kapowsin 49, Richland 28
  • Touchdown: Nikoh Rivers 2 Yd Run (Aidan Skolrud Kick) (7:40)
    Graham-Kapowsin 56, Richland 28
  • Touchdown: John Simons 7 Yd Run (Jason Slack Kick) (1:08)
    Graham-Kapowsin 56, Richland 35

Richland Statistics

  • Team Totals
  • Richland
  • Totals
    Plays: 82
    Passing: 483
    Rushing: 40
  • Penalties
    Flags: 9
    Yards: 38
  • First Downs
    Passing: 25
    Rushing: 0
    Penalties: 0
  • 3rd Down
    Attempts: 15
    First Downs: 6
    Efficency: 40%
  • 4th Down
    Attempts: 7
    First Downs: 3
    Efficiency: 43%

Graham-Kapowsin Statistics

  • Team Totals
  • Graham-Kapowsin
  • Totals
    Plays: 67
    Passing: 430
    Rushing: 166
  • Penalties
    Flags: 6
    Yards: 45
  • First Downs
    Passing: 24
    Rushing: 0
    Penalties: 0
  • 3rd Down
    Attempts: 10
    First Downs: 5
    Efficency: 50%
  • 4th Down
    Attempts: 3
    First Downs: 1
    Efficiency: 33%

Offense

  • Passing
  • Player
    C/Att
    Yds
    TD
    Long
    Int
    2PT
  • 4 Josh Woodard
    32/52
    483
    4
    78
    3
    0
  • TEAM
    32/52
    483
    4
    78
    3
    0
  • Rushing
  • Player
    Att
    Yds
    TD
    Long
    FUM
    2PT
  • 24 Jakob Brannon
    16
    48
    0
    10
    0/0
    0
  • 4 Josh Woodard
    7
    -14
    0
    12
    0/0
    0
  • 2 John Simons
    1
    6
    1
    6
    0/0
    0
  • TEAM
    24
    40
    1
    12
    0/0
    0
  • Receiving
  • Player
    REC
    Yds
    TD
    Long
    FUM
    2PT
  • 10 Brody Bocek
    9
    185
    3
    67
    0/0
    0
  • 11 Rayce Reeves
    6
    119
    1
    78
    0/0
    0
  • 7 Zach Rose
    5
    94
    0
    48
    0/0
    0
  • 9 Chris Daniels
    4
    44
    0
    20
    0/0
    0
  • 24 Jakob Brannon
    3
    9
    0
    6
    0/0
    0
  • 6 Colson Mackey
    2
    6
    0
    3
    0/0
    0
  • 5 Nathaniel Ruellas
    1
    25
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 19 Kooper Schmitt
    1
    4
    0
    4
    0/0
    0
  • 20 Gunnar Grall
    1
    -3
    0
    -3
    0/0
    0
  • TEAM
    32
    483
    4
    78
    0/0
    0

Offense

  • Passing
  • Player
    C/Att
    Yds
    TD
    Long
    Int
    2PT
  • 15 Daveon Superales
    26/32
    430
    6
    64
    0
    0
  • 4 Kaden Bourgeau
    0/4
    0
    0
    0
    1
    0
  • TEAM
    26/36
    430
    6
    64
    1
    0
  • Rushing
  • Player
    Att
    Yds
    TD
    Long
    FUM
    2PT
  • 15 Daveon Superales
    9
    63
    1
    26
    0/0
    1
  • 29 Alele Fa'apito-leao
    6
    36
    0
    23
    0/0
    0
  • TEAM
    5
    48
    1
    24
    0/0
    0
  • 2 Jonathan Collins
    3
    21
    0
    18
    0/0
    0
  • 4 Kaden Bourgeau
    2
    -2
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • TEAM
    25
    166
    2
    26
    0/0
    1
  • Receiving
  • Player
    REC
    Yds
    TD
    Long
    FUM
    2PT
  • 10 Jabez Woods
    9
    151
    1
    33
    0/0
    0
  • 1 Malachi Durant
    7
    198
    3
    64
    0/0
    0
  • 9 Noah Flores
    3
    36
    0
    14
    0/0
    0
  • 5 Mika Roberson
    3
    13
    0
    13
    0/0
    0
  • 11 Khris Norris
    2
    33
    1
    20
    0/0
    0
  • 29 Alele Fa'apito-leao
    2
    -1
    1
    1
    0/0
    0
  • TEAM
    26
    430
    6
    64
    0/0
    0

Defense

  • Defense
  • Player
    TK
    AST
    SAK
    SFT
    INT
    FUM
    BLKS
    TD
  • 7 Zach Rose
    4
    2
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 11 Rayce Reeves
    2
    5
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 40 Koen Hanson
    2
    1
    1
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 13 Zakry Burch
    2
    1
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 78 Lyden Wilson
    2
    2
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 32 Cannon Weikum
    1
    11
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 14 Sylen Kiesel-Kauhane
    1
    11
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 19 Kooper Schmitt
    1
    9
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 2 John Simons
    1
    2
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 24 Jakob Brannon
    1
    2
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 10 Brody Bocek
    0
    1
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 9 Chris Daniels
    0
    4
    0
    0
    1/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 20 Gunnar Grall
    0
    2
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 74 Jaxon Jones
    0
    1
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • TEAM
    17
    54
    1
    0
    1/0
    0
    0/0
    0

Defense

  • Defense
  • Player
    TK
    AST
    SAK
    SFT
    INT
    FUM
    BLKS
    TD
  • 7 Koree Henson
    6
    2
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 5 Mika Roberson
    5
    0
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 19 Kase Betz
    4
    2
    0
    0
    1/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 66 Jonathan Haas
    2
    1
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 45 Levi Turner
    2
    2
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 12 Cohen Miller
    2
    3
    0
    0
    1/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 16 DJ Ta'ape
    1
    0
    0
    0
    1/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 22 Gunner Stinson
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 21 Andre McMillian
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 84 Brandon Peterson
    1
    0
    1
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 13 Josh Massey Jr.
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 23 Aidan Skolrud
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 24 Julian Delossantos
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 80 Quinncey Ratteray
    1
    1
    1
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 50 Anthony Taula'i
    1
    7
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 20 Derick Manibusan
    0
    3
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 36 Nidahs Nomura
    0
    2
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • 6 Samu Palaita
    0
    2
    0
    0
    0/0
    0
    0/0
    0
  • TEAM
    30
    25
    2
    0
    3/0
    0
    0/0
    0

Special Teams

  • Kick Returns
  • Player
    RET
    Yds
    AVG
    Long
    TD
  • TEAM
    5
    0
    0
    0
    0
  • 2 John Simons
    3
    13
    4
    25
    0
  • 19 Kooper Schmitt
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
  • 14 Sylen Kiesel-Kauhane
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
  • TEAM
    10
    13
    0
    25
    0
  • Punt Returns
  • Player
    RET
    Yds
    AVG
    Long
    TD
  • 7 Zach Rose
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
  • TEAM
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
  • TEAM
    2
    0
    0
    0
    0
  • Kicking
  • Player
    FG
    Long
    %
    PAT
    %
    PTS
  • 80 Jason Slack
    0/0
    0
    0%
    5/5
    100%
    5
  • TEAM
    0/0
    0%
    0
    5/5
    100%
    5
  • Kickoffs
  • Player
    ATT
    YDS
    Long
    TB
  • 80 Jason Slack
    6
    112
    36
    0
  • TEAM
    6
    112
    36
    0
  • Punting
  • Player
    ATT
    YDS
    AVG
    Long
    IN20
  • 80 Jason Slack
    3
    102
    34
    37
    0
  • TEAM
    3
    102
    34%
    37
    0

Special Teams

  • Kick Returns
  • Player
    RET
    Yds
    AVG
    Long
    TD
  • 37 Joseph Price
    2
    6
    3
    5
    0
  • TEAM
    2
    0
    0
    0
    0
  • 36 Nidahs Nomura
    1
    7
    7
    7
    0
  • 9 Noah Flores
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
  • TEAM
    6
    13
    0
    7
    0
  • Punt Returns
  • Player
    RET
    Yds
    AVG
    Long
    TD
  • 5 Mika Roberson
    2
    20
    10
    15
    0
  • 10 Jabez Woods
    1
    0
    0
    0
    0
  • TEAM
    3
    20
    7
    15
    0
  • Kicking
  • Player
    FG
    Long
    %
    PAT
    %
    PTS
  • 23 Aidan Skolrud
    0/0
    0
    0%
    6/6
    100%
    6
  • TEAM
    0/0
    0%
    0
    6/6
    100%
    6
  • Kickoffs
  • Player
    ATT
    YDS
    Long
    TB
  • 23 Aidan Skolrud
    9
    133
    54
    0
  • 66 Jonathan Haas
    1
    49
    49
    0
  • TEAM
    1
    60
    60
    1
  • TEAM
    11
    242
    60
    1
  • Punting
  • Player
    ATT
    YDS
    AVG
    Long
    IN20
  • 23 Aidan Skolrud
    2
    90
    45
    55
    1
  • TEAM
    2
    90
    45%
    55
    1

Graham-Kapowsin Eagles

History of Eagles v. Bombers

Saturday November 11, 2023 Art Crate Field

  • 2023 WIAA Playoffs: First Round

    • Richland
      Bombers
    • 35
    • Graham-Kapowsin
      Eagles
    • 56

  • Head Coach: Mike Neidhold
Graham-Kapowsin High School
Graham-Kapowsin High School
22100 108th Ave E
Graham, WA
Mascot: Eagles
  • Bombers v. Eagles
  •  
    Games
    Bombers
    Eagles
  • Losses
    1
    35
    56
  • Overall
    1
    35
    56
  • Records by Head Coach
  •  
    Wins
    Losses
    Ties
  • Mike Neidhold
    0
    1
    0