Game Recap October 3, 2015
By this time, a team that has done any scouting at all should know the Richland D line is as tough as they come. The problem is, any attempt to overcome that obstacle leaves you exposed to the rest of the defense. You'll have four long quarters to try putting points on the scoreboard. The Walla Walla Blue Devils had their chance tonight.
The Blue Devils were pumped on the opening kickoff when a missed block had Griffey March on the receiving end of a big hit. It looked like they came ready to take on a Bomber team that's been on a roll. They didn't come ready enough, because seven plays and 80 yards later, Kyle Whitby stiff-armed his way into the end zone only three minutes into the game.
Using a short kickoff and a quick pass that went for big yards, Walla Walla unwisely tried to run it in from the one, but found Whitby and Taiton Gillespie instead, forcing a turnover on downs. Unfortunately, the Bombers were unable to improve on their field position, and a short punt from the end zone gave Walla Walla the ball at the twenty, a stroke of good luck they took advantage of, throwing to the tight end across the middle, who then dived in for six points. Alex Chapman blocked the extra point to make it 7-6 with 1:25 left in the first quarter.
Starting from the 35, McKlane Elgin ran twice before Paxton Stevens found Chapman running wide open across the middle, leaving only one defender to dodge and one to burn. His 59 yard touchdown made it 14-6 with 5 seconds to go.
After grinding it out on the ground and trading punts through the second quarter, Richland finally went back to the passing game to get to the twelve yard line, where Lakota Wills ran over a courageous but ineffective defender for his sixth rushing touchdown of the season. 21-6 Bombers, 3:00 minutes to go in the half.
The Bomber defense got another chance to show off after a bad snap forced punter Ryan Wolski to take a big loss deep in Richland territory. Learning from the past, the Blue Devils tried to use their passing game to get back in it, but Ryan Piper came up with an interception to get the ball back. The rest of the third quarter showed both teams trying to get their running games in gear, but despite Whitby and Wills taking turns kicking up dirt and having some success, it was mostly back and forth punts. Richland finally got down to the one, but penalties called back a Whitby run to the end zone and pushed the team back far enough that an easy Wolski field goal seemed like the best way to start the fourth quarter. At 24-6 coming into the home stretch, things looked good for the Bombers.
More tough defense and an electrifying punt return by Griffey March gave the Bombers good field position. Following a tightrope sideline catch by Chapman at the nine, Wills bashed his way in for the final Richland score to go up 31-6 with 7:00 minutes left.
After some good Richland passes and runs, The Devils took advantage of the second string with an interception taken all the way back for six, but failed on the point after. Still down 31-12 with 2:00 minutes to go, they collected their own onside kick to give them what they thought would be a chance at a comeback. Stranger things have happened I guess. Riding penalties down to the Richland four, The Devils found an opening in the inexperienced secondary to make it 31-19 with 3 seconds left. I'm no mathematician, but you can't score twelve points in three seconds.
Despite avoiding the deadly defensive end duo of Wills and John Hardy for most of the game, Walla Walla couldn't overcome the all-around Bomber defense to give themselves a chance at chasing the dynamic Bomber offense. Richland brings their momentum and their 4-1 record to Lampson Stadium next week to take on the 2-3 Kennewick Lions.
Tri-City Herald: Richland sweeps aside Wa-Hi
| Friday, October 2, 2015 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walla Walla Blue Devils | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 19 |
| Richland Bombers | 14 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 31 |
| Scoring Plays | R | WW | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2R Whitby 13 yard run (5R Wolski kick) | 7 | 0 | 8:59(1) |
| 33W Davis 13 yard pass from 9W Lesmeister (PAT fail) | 7 | 6 | 1:25(1) |
| 8R Chapman 59 yard pass from 17 Stevens (5R Wolski kick) | 14 | 6 | 0:06(1) |
| 45R Wills 8 yard run (5R Wolski kick) | 21 | 6 | 3:11(2) |
| 5R Wolski 27 yard field goal | 24 | 6 | 9:15(4) |
| 45R Wills 9 yard run (5R Wolski kick) | 31 | 6 | 7:06(4) |
| 21W Porter 60 yard interception return (PAT fail) | 31 | 12 | 2:11(4) |
| 80W Wicklund 4 yard pass from 9W Lesmeister (30W Jensen kick) | 31 | 19 | 0:03(4) |
Go Bombers!
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October 2, 20151234Final
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Walla Walla Blue Devils6001419
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Richland Bombers14701031
- 1st Quarter
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Touchdown: Whitby 13 yard run (Wolski kick) (8:59)
Richland 7, Walla Walla 0 -
Touchdown: Davis 13 yard pass from Lesmeister (PAT fail) (1:25)
Richland 7, Walla Walla 6 -
Touchdown: Chapman 59 yard pass from Stevens (0:06)
Richland 14, Walla Walla 6 - 2nd Quarter
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Touchdown: Wills 8 yard run (Wolski kick) (3:11)
Richland 21, Walla Walla 6 - 4th Quarter
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Field Goal: Wolski 27 yards (9:15)
Richland 24, Walla Walla 6 -
Touchdown: Wills 9 yard run (Wolski kick) (7:06)
Richland 31, Walla Walla 6 -
Touchdown: Porter 60 yard interception return (PAT fail) (2:00)
Richland 31, Walla Walla 12 -
Touchdown: Wicklund 4 yard pass from Lesmeister (Jensen kick) (0:03)
Richland 31, Walla Walla 19
- News/Media
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Richland sweeps aside Wa-Hi
Tri-City Herald: Saturday October 3, 2015
Mid-Columbia Roundup article from the October 3, 2015 Tri-City Herald
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Prime RBs on parade
Tri-City Herald: Saturday October 3, 2015
Prep Football Preview from the October 2, 2015 Tri-City Herald written by Jack Millikin
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