If I were forced to describe tonight's Richland Bomber victory over newcomer Chiawana, the word I would use is efficient. Others might use word's such as frugal or thrifty and yet others, lucky. Heck, it really doesn't matter what word you use, the fact remains that Chiawana had the ball for 28 more plays, threw for 111 more yards, had 10 more first downs and one less turnover, but still managed to lose the most important statistical category, points: 6 to 14.

Chiawana is the newest member of the Big Nine Conference hailing from Pasco. Much like the 1973 Hanford Falcons, the Riverhawks are playing without the luxury of having any seniors though Chiawana is playing a full conference schedule and despite their record has been holding their own against much deeper, more experienced competition. One other bonus for the Riverhawks is that they are coached by legendary Pasco coach Steve Graff who left the Bulldogs after three state championships and 112 victories.

To get back to the game, the Bombers wasted absolutely no time as Gage Reynolds took the second play from scrimmage and turned it into a 68 yard touchdown to make it 7-0 Richland. After that, the rest of the first half was almost uneventful. The offense struggled as they tried to get their passing game in motion as two first half drives were ended prematurely by Brett Anderson interceptions for Chiawana. Meanwhile, the defense was doing a good job of bending but not really breaking. The Riverhawk's Jordan Downing seemed to be able to run five yards any time he touched the ball but when the Bombers needed the right play, they made it.

Late in the first half, the Riverhawks were able to get on the board when Downing scored on a 4th and 6 inches at the goal line with only seconds left. Unfortunately for Chiawana, the extra point was muffed and the Bombers went into halftime with a slim 7 to 6 lead.

The Riverhawks came out in the second half much like they had in the first, chewing up ground on the field and time off the clock. Their first drive of the half lasted nine plays and ate up 6 minutes but was unable to bear fruit and ended with a punt. Their second drive was going even better until Downing fumbled on the Richland 15 yard line and the Bombers Troy Zuroske pounced on the ball. Then Richland got down to business.

Taking a page from their near-win over Pasco in week one, the Bombers decided the best course of action was for Hayden Hilty to hand off to Jake McKinney and just let Jake be Jake. Starting at 1:34 left in the third quarter, the Jake and Bake show  ate up the next six and a half minutes, ending on a 5 yard touchdown run for a 14-6 Richland lead and some much-needed breathing room. The Bombers would need it.

Chiawana came right back. The ensuing kickoff sailed out of bounds and, aided by another five yard penalty, the Riverhawks started their drive at their own 40. They boldly marched the ball down the field and were able to get it to the Richland five but on 4th and 5 and 2:33 left in the game, Luc Graff's pass fell just out of reach of Justin Smith and the Bomber victory was sealed.

It wasn't pretty but a two-game winning streak is a two-game winning streak and the Bombers need all the momentum they can muster when they host the Kamiakin Braves next Friday night in the last scheduled home game of the season. Please come out and join us, it should be a fun game to watch.

Go Bombers!