Game Recap October 8, 2011
After two heartbreaking losses in the row, the Richland Bombers were looking to change their luck. So, they started a sophomore at quarterback in one of the toughest places to play in the Big Nine. As they say in the movies, "...it's just crazy enough to work!"
Zack Whitby, a sophomore who started for Pasco last year as a freshman, took the ball for the Bombers and helped them pitch a shutout. Wenatchee won the coin toss and elected to receive but quickly were forced to punt the ball to Richland. Zack took over and on the first drive at least, made it look easy, guding the offense on a ten play 54 yard drive that ended when Cameron Simpson ran 2 yards for the Bombers first touchdown and a 7-0 lead.
The Panthers looked to quickly return the favor. Starting from their own 33, Wenatchee passed their way into Bomber territory, landing on the 16. Ellijah Gardaya dashed their plans, intercepting the ball on the three and ending up at the 7. After an off sides penalty took them back to the three, Whitby tossed a short pass to Gardaya who took it safely out of Panther territory for a 59 yard gain. The Bombers were looking poised to score again but a fumbled snap ended their quest at the Wenatchee 15.
Fortunately, the Panthers were also in a giving mood. Sheldon Liikala gathered in a fumble of his own, just a few plays later and the Bombers were back in business at the Wenatchee 34. The ensuing drive fizzled quickly but Q Taychak was able to salvage it with a field goal from 36 yards out and a 10-0 Bomber lead.
Richland then went on to fumble away their next two posessions and were feeling very lucky that they had a 10 point lead heading into the long homecoming halftime. The first half saw the Bombers fumble four times total.
The second half didn't start out as well as hoped. The Bombers were penalized for a personal foul and holding and were forced to punt. Mason Baird brightened things up considerably when he recovered another fumble on Wenatchee's first play, giving Richland a first down on the Panther 25. The Bombers then countered by using the wildcat formation gaining 8 yards on their first carry, and then pitching the ball to Cameron Simpson for the next 23 for a touchdown. Now with the lead at 17-0 they were able to breathe a little. Then the defense took over.
Wenatchee's next two possessions were ended by interceptions. Connor Egbert end the first drive with an interception at the 38, and then Ellijah Gardaya hauled in his second of the night just as the third quarter came to a close.
After a Bomber punt to start the fourth quarter the Panthers were hoping to get something going. Isaiah Brandt-Sims penetrated the Richland line and rambled 22 yards down to the Bomber 10 but an alert defender was able to strip him. The ball flew directly into the waiting arms of Connor Egbert and he saw nothing but daylight. Thanks to a very opportune block by BK Robinson at the 30, Connor returned the fumble 90 yards for a touchdown. A devestating turn for the homecoming crowd but a perfect way for the Bombers to end a two-game losing streak.
For this night the offensive standouts were Cameron Simpson with 79 yards on 13 carries and Zack Whitby who went 15 for 19 passing and 190 yards. But the overall star of the night had to go to Ellijah Gardaya who not only had two intereceptions but also hauled in 5 passes for 107 yards.
Overall, despite the four fumbles, the Bombers handled themselves very well. The defense was superb. You simply don't go to Wenatchee and shut them out. It was a very fun game to watch.
Speaking of fun, next Friday night the Richland Bombers are travelling to Walla Walla to take on the Blue Devils. It should be another fun game to watch and Borleske Stadium is always a tough place to play. So, take a road trip with us next Friday and let's...
Go Bombers!
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October 7, 20111234Final
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Richland Bombers24
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Wenatchee Panthers0
