For three quarters the Richland Bombers were confident and dominant, but the fourth quarter got away from them and the 4th ranked Chiawana Riverhawks came from behind to beat the Bombers 22 to 14.

The Bombers came out of the hangar on fire and with something to prove. After last week's disappointing loss in overtime to Davis, they did. The defense forced the Riverhawks to punt, and then embarked on a twelve play drive. Mixing up the run and the pass effectively, the Bombers marched 77 yards through the Chiawana defense. B.K. Robinson capped the drive with a nine yard run for the touchdown. Almost as quickly as the scoreboard changed to 7-0 Richland, Matthew Chalmers recovered a fumble on the Riverhawk 35 yard line. The Bombers tried to strike quickly but couldn't take advantage and turned the ball back to Chiawana after a missed field goal.

Chiawana then caught a little fire of their own. Two quick passes from Joseph Zamora to CJ Edrington connected for 16 yards apiece but their drive also ended with a missed 34 yard field goal. The Bombers were hoping to take advantage but their drive fizzled and they were forced to punt. Unfortunately, an ugly old friend returned. For the fifth game in a row, the Bombers were victimized by an errant punt snap, this one sailing over Isaac Campbell's head and giving the Riverhawks a first down at the seven yard line. Two plays later Downing scored on a one yard run. A missed extra point, though, kept the Bombers in the lead 7-6.

Richland then decided to just not give the ball back. The Bombers kept the ball for the next 16 plays, grinding their way down the field and consuming the remainder of the second quarter. With 24 seconds left in the half, BK Robinson scored his second touchdown of the game on a run from six yards away. The Bombers entered halftime with a surprising 14-6 lead.

The Bombers were hoping to start the second half off like they ended the first and were well on their way after BK Robinson ripped off a 43 yard run from their own 35 yard line down to the Chiawana 22. But the next play saw CJ Edrington intercept a Colter Quick pass in the end zone for a touchback. The Riverhawks then kept the ball for a 13 play drive but the Richland defense held strong and the only thing the Hawks were left with was a 26 yard field goal. The Bombers bent a little but still held a 14-9 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Oh, but the fourth quarter was not kind at all. Chiawana’s Jordan Downing intercepted another Quick pass on a beautiful diving play giving them the ball on the Richland 35. Eight plays later, Downing finished what he started, running in the ball from 2 yards out for the touchdown. The Riverhawks tried to pass for two points but it fell incomplete and for the first time in the game, they led 15-14.

The Bombers didn’t give up, either. They took possession at the 35 and marched down the field, chewing up yardage and the clock but they just couldn’t find the right punch through the defense and were forced to try a field goal. Q Taychak put a good foot on it, but the 46 yard field goal try came up a little short.

At this point, the boys in green and gold were pretty much spent. Jordan Downing capped off a 177 yard rushing night when he ripped of a 69 yard run that took the Riverhawks down to the Richland 7. Two plays later, he finished his work and ran the seven yards for his third touchdown and the last dagger in the Bombers hopes, giving Chiawana a 22-14 lead.

The Bombers did have some life left and quickly marched the ball down to the Chiawana 22, but they just couldn’t take it any further and the night ended on an incomplete pass in the end zone.

For the second week in a row, the Richland Bombers played their hearts out but just couldn’t find the right magic. Hopefully the magic will return when Richland travels to the Apple Bowl in Wenatchee next week to take on the Wenatchee Panthers. This is always a great game so I hope you can make the trip! See you next week.

Go Bombers!