Game Recap November 1, 2008
There were strange things going on at Fran Rish Stadium and it had absolutely nothing to do with Halloween. The Richland Bombers took out the Wenatchee Panthers 14 to 6 in a classic battle of defenses. Trust me, offense was secondary.
Imagine a game where both sides punted eighteen (18) times for a total of 571 yards and one blocked, fumbled seven (7) times, and combined for 61 yards rushing and only 228 yards total offense. No, it wasn't raining! No, it wasn't snowing! Yes, it was nerve wracking!
While both defenses played extremely well, the Richland defense won honors for forcing two Panther fumbles in the first half and setting the offense up for both touchdowns. The first touchdown was set up by a beautiful Cody Shepard punt that dropped on the Panther 4 yard line. The Bombers then held Wenatchee to one of it's eight 3-and-out drives. Jamison Rowe then returned a short punt to the Wenatchee 18 yard line. Hunter Olveda provided the score on a 15 yard touchdown run.
On the second play of the second quarter, Quinn Zorich recovered a Cameron Hoey fumble on the Panther 15 yard line. Five plays later, Hayden Hilty punched the ball across from the one yard line and a 14-0 Bomber lead.
The defenses then took over the entire game. Every drive in the third quarter ended with a punt, save one. Neither side could run the ball, and neither side could pass the ball but boy, could they punt. Puntapalooza finally ended with 5:52 remaining in the ballgame when Wenatchee's Cooper Helm hit Blair Dorn for a beautiful 31 yard touchdown pass. Unfortunately for Wenatchee, the Bomber defense rose again and intercepted the Sam Chapin extra point pass.
The Bombers received excellent field position at the Panther 49 when sure-handed Jamison Rowe pounced on the ensuing onside kick. After another three and out by the Bomber offense, the Panther defense stretched it's claws and swatted Shepard's punt and it was first and 10 Wenatchee on the Richland 37 yard line.
True to the story of the game, though, Peter Girgis and Paul Sisk and the rest of the defense pounded the Panther quarterbacks with two more sacks. Down to their last chance on 4th down and 8 on the Bomber 34, Blair Dorn fell down while attempting a halfback pass and mercifully, game was over.
While I wouldn't want to brag too much or write to Aunt Agnes about this game, it was the first playoff win for a Bomber Football team since the 2000 season. Next week, the Bombers are in their first win-or-go-home playoff game when Central Valley visits Richland for the first ever game between the Bombers and the Bears. Please note, this game is scheduled for Friday, November 7th at 5:00pm so you'll have to ask the boss to let you out a little early! If you need a note, Coach Neidhold would be more than happy to oblige.
Go Bombers!
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October 31, 20081234Final
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Wenatchee Panthers6
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Richland Bombers14
