Game Recap November 8, 2017
Bomber fans, if you weren't at Edgar Brown Stadium for the district playoff game, you missed a memorable one. The Richland Bombers knocked off the the Greater Spokane League third place Mead Panthers in convincing fashion, 62-7. That score isn't exactly new territory for the Bombers, having scored over 60 points in the first half twice already this season, but the way they did it was different.
Snatching six interceptions from two of the three Mead QBs who saw action, three of them going back for scores. Not only that, but the first three interceptions were the second, third, and fourth touchdowns of the first quarter for Richland. Adam Weissenfels and Josh Mendoza dominated the quarter, Weissenfels with two scores and Mendoza with three, to put the Panthers on the ropes early and prevent any semblance of hope for the visitors. The offense contributed six of the nine touchdowns, but this game was a display of defensive force by the Bombers.
When Richland's first possession stalled out on consecutive long passes, the punt rolled down to the four yard line. Seemingly in a bad place, the Panthers showed heart and made headway and got to their 35 but decided to sneak a punt rather than risk handing the ball to the Bomber offense so close to the endzone. Didn't matter. Parker McCary convinced the Mead defense to stay honest against the run with a 6 yard gain, and then Mendoza caught the safety flat-footed, splitting the gap between the cornerback, who snuck up to cover the screen pass, and safety, catching Cade Jensen's pass at the 40, spinning out of a tackle, and then outrunning pursuers to the endzone for the first points of the game. Mead, still in the game, tired what most other teams have tried in order to avoid an aggressive defensive line and a ball-hungry secondary, which is short passes. Weissenfels compensated for that by baiting the QB into thinking he was dropping into deep coverage, but popped back just in time to snag the pass out of the the receiver's outstretched arms, taking it 30 yards untouched for 6 more points.
It's worthy of note that the Mead QB was tossed to the ground by D line linchpin Jax Lee just as he threw the ball. Mead's next offensive play was a pass for a loss of 1 yard. On second down from their own 25, short passes were still the play of choice. Seeing a receiver crossing the middle, the QB threw the ball to avoid another oncoming D lineman, this time Cubby Stanfield. The pass was high and tipped by the receiver, and Mendoza was there to gather it in and speed, again untouched, to the endzone for the second pick 6 in less than one minute. After taking the short kickoff at the 40, the Panthers advanced to midfield in four plays. The fifth play was a perfect microcosm of Richland's defense for the game. Just before being pummeled by Lee, the desperate QB got off a quick pass to a receiver cutting across the middle. The pass was high and tipped, again, by the receiver as he braced for a huge hit by returning linebacker Victor Strasser. There for the catch, again, was Mendoza, and the only player close enough to stop him was leveled by Stanfield. Mendoza cut a sharp angle to the endzone, accompanied by a formidable outer shell of Lee, Casey Perryman, and Jared Whitby. Three picks for scores in less than three minutes and a 27-0 score with 3:30 left in the first quarter left the Panthers visibly deflated, despite blocking Weissenfels' PAT.
Mead's ensuing possession ended with a long punt. Unfortunately for them, it was taken on a bounce at the 40 by Weissenfels, who ran up the left sideline before cutting to the middle and then upfield at the other 40, before being brought down at the 10. Jensen then found Weissenfels running a classic Weissenfels route—coming from the right slot, cutting across the middle, then taking the ball to the left pylon for a TD. 34-0 at the end of the first quarter isn't bad.
The second quarter featured more punishing defense and touchdown passes to Sammy Cervantes, Cody Sanderson, and Ryan Piper, along with a TD run by McCary, running behind a seldom seen double tight end formation. Perryman joined the fun by grabbing another interception from an errant pass as the Mead QB avoided a second sack by Stanfield, although he was still brutally hit on the play. The last kickoff of the half, with 20 seconds left, was popped out the return man's hands by Weissenfels and recovered by Perryman.
With the running clock rule in effect, the third quarter breezed by with little significant action aside from a fake punt run by Mendoza to keep a clock-burning drive alive. Cervantes, filling in for Piper at safety, grabbed another INT in the fourth quarter, and Mead finally put points on the board with two minutes left when a receiver took advantage of a young and inexperienced DB to haul in a 53 yard score.
The Bombers had only 70 rushing yards, including Mendoza's fake punt, but really had no need to wear out their running backs in a blowout. Jensen threw for a relatively paltry 228 yards, but really had no need to wear out his arm. Mendoza had only one reception, but really had no need for more since he had three total TDs. The Bomber D held Mead to 135 total yards, 53 of which were on the fourth quarter touchdown pass. It was an impressive effort from both sides of the ball.
Richland takes on the West Valley Rams from the Big 9, at 7:00 at Edgar Brown Stadium on Friday, November 10th. The Rams bring a high scoring offense to challenge a defense that has given up only 90 points in 10 games. Come cheer the Bombers on to a victory in the opening round of the state playoffs.
Go Bombers!
- Atomic TV Richland Bombers v. Mead Panthers 4A Regional Playoff
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November 3, 20171234Final
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Mead Panthers00077
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Richland Bombers34280062
- 1st Quarter
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Touchdown: Josh Mendoza 69 yard pass from Cade Jensen (Adam Weissenfels kick) (7:08)
Richland 7, Mead 0 -
Touchdown: Weissenfels 28 yard interception return (Weissenfels kick) (6:05)
Richland 14, Mead 0 -
Touchdown: Mendoza 21 yard interception return (Weissenfels kick) (5:14)
Richland 21, Mead 0 -
Touchdown: Mendoza 58 yard interception return (kick blocked) (3:31)
Richland 27, Mead 0 -
Touchdown: Weissenfels 8 yard pass from Jensen (Weissenfels kick) (0:17)
Richland 34, Mead 0 - 2nd Quarter
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Touchdown: Sammy Cervantes 19 yard pass from Jensen (Weissenfels kick) (8:51)
Richland 41, Mead 0 -
Touchdown: Parker McCary 8 yard run (Weissenfels kick) (5:00)
Richland 48, Mead 0 -
Touchdown: Cody Sanderson 2 yard pass from Jensen (2:51)
Richland 55, Mead 0 -
Touchdown: Ryan Piper 10 yard pass from Jensen (Weissenfels kick) (0:21)
Richland 62, Mead 0 - 4th Quarter
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Touchdown: Lucas Bacon 53 yard pass from Ryan Blair (Joe Heitman kick) (2:30)
Richland 62, Mead 7
- News/Media
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Three-way tiebreaker set for GSL 4A seeding
Spokane Spokesman-Review: Monday October 30, 2017
Article by Dave Nichols outlining the October 31, 2017 three-way playoff for the Greater Spokane League's third playoff seed. University and Lewis & Clark play first with the winner taking on Mead. October 30, 2017
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It's do-or-die for many as district playoffs near end
Tri-City Herald: Tuesday October 31, 2017
Article by Dustin Brennan in the October 31, 2017 edition of the Tri-City Herald detailing the upcoming regional playoffs with the Greater Spokane League, and Kennewick/Shadle Park preview.
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Mead Marches to district
Spokane Spokesman-Review: Wednesday November 1, 2017
Spokesman-Review story by Dave Nichols.
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State 4A and 3A WIAA State Football Playoff Brackets
CascadiaPreps.com: Thursday November 2, 2017
Ryland Smith from CascadiaPreps.com has compiled the tournament brackets for this year's playoff.
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Greater Spokane League Playoff Preview
Spokane Spokesman-Review: Thursday November 2, 2017
Article by Dave Nichols in the Thursday, October 2, 2017 edition of the Spokesman Review. "GSL champ Bears roar into playoffs." Includes season stats for the GSL and Richland/Mead preview.
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Tonight's high school football glance
Tri-City Herald: Friday November 3, 2017
Game previews for all of the Tri-City area teams in the playoff hunt for November 3, 2017.
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Bomber blowout as Richland mashes Mead
Tri-City Herald: Saturday November 4, 2017
Photograph by Noelle Haro-Gomez in the Saturday, November 4, 2017 edition of the Tri-City Herald.
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Richland topples Mead for berth to State 4A
Spokane Spokesman-Review: Saturday November 4, 2017
Article in the Saturday, November 4, 2017 edition of the Spokesman-Review
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Seattle Times Final Top 10 Results and State Scores
Seattle Times: Saturday November 4, 2017
Seattle Times November 4, 2017
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Richland has six picks, 62 points in rout of Mead
Tri-City Herald: Sunday November 5, 2017
Tri-City Herald story by Dustin Brennan in the Sunday, November 5, 2017 edition.
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WIAA Honors: Josh Mendoza
Tri-City Herald: Friday November 10, 2017
Josh Mendoza has been named on of the WIAA Players of the Week for his performance against the Mead Panthers.
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