Game Recap October 2, 2016
The outcome of the game between the Pasco Bulldogs and the Richland Bombers was never really in doubt, but even the biggest underdogs have a chance. That's why they play the game. After taking the opening kickoff, it only took two plays for the Bombers to show who the underdog was. After getting to midfield on a pass to Adam Weisenfells, Paxton Stevens tossed a bomb to Alex Chapman streaking once again down the right sideline, who caught it and continued his run right into the endzone with only 43 seconds gone.
The next Richland score came only three minutes later when Stevens chose to keep some of the fun for himself and took it in from the right hash mark to the left corner of the endzone for 15 yards and a touchdown. Having missed the previous point after, Richland went for two and got it easily, with Ben Stanfield running it in around the left end, making it 14-0.
After another three-and-out by Pasco, the Bombers made it easily into Bulldog territory again, the biggest play coming on a 22 yard keeper by Stevens, but struggled at the goal line. The Bulldogs held tough on fourth and goal, preventing Ben Stanfield from putting up Richland's third touchdown. This put Pasco in a difficult situation, needing to take the ball 99 yards against a superior defense. It quickly turned into another three-and-out, and they punted from the endzone. Gaven Brasker fielded a skittish ball at the 45 and took it back to the 30, where Stevens threw to a new target, Garrett Guffey out of the tight end spot. Guffey's 20 yard catch and rumble gave the Bombers good field position for Josh Mendoza to run a quick slant into the endzone from the left, catching the ball easily and bringing the score to 21-0 with 22 seconds left in the quarter.
The Bulldogs saw a glimmer of hope on their next possesion when 240 pound running back Deondre Hendrix found himself in the open field after breaking loose at the line but was brought down by William Harshaw-McDonald after an eleven yard gain to end the quarter.
Guffey made a defensive appearance on the next series, diving in front of a pass and batting it away from the receiver. The Bulldogs still wanted to make a game of it, coming out in a punt formation but attempting to pass. Charles Ford got a hand on the pass, popping it high into the air, where a Bulldog snagged it and tried to run but was tackled by Victor Strasser for a 5 yard loss. Great catches by Ryan Piper and Weisenfells got Richland close to the endzone quickly, but Weisenfells fumbled at the 8.
Pasco's inevitable punt four plays later only made it to the 30. A 14 yard pass to Cody Kjarmo brought the ball back to the 9, which made it easy for Parker McCary to spin left out of the mob and cruise untouched to another touchdown. With 5 minutes left in the half it was 28-0. Two plays after kickoff, Piper dove for an interception at mid-field, and then grabbed a 24 yard pass on the next play. A series of penalties and incomplete passes only delayed what everyone knew was coming. Taking a short bubble pass five yards behind the line, Ben Stanfield wound his way 15 yards for Richland's fifth score of the half, aided by solid downfield blocks by receivers Chapman and Piper. A pass interference penalty helped Pasco keep their drive alive but were eventually forced to punt again. Piper took the bouncing punt at the Richland 40 and rambled an entertaining 35 yards, but with limited time Richland couldn't score again. The half ended 35-0.
On the third play after kickoff, Josh Mendoza drew a bead on the Bulldog quarterback's pass and stepped in front of it at the 20 yard line. With no one in front of him, it was a straight sprint to the endzone for his second score of the night, making it 41-0. With the game clock running with 10 minutes to go in the third quarter, the rest of the game breezed by. Richland took the opportunity to rotate the starters in and out and burned time by keeping the ball on the ground. Strasser had some good runs, at one point smashing his way to the 2 yard line, but penalties pushed the Bombers back. Pasco also chose to stay with the ground game, which saw slightly more success against the Richland reserves, but also quickly ran the clock down. Richland's last score came on a short pass to Weisenfells, who ran 10 yards untouched to go up 47-0 with 1:54 remaining.
Pasco kept it relatively respectable, gaining just over a total of 100 yards against a strong defense, and Richland kept the ball in the air, scoring 5 of 6 offensive touchdowns with passes. Stevens had 243 passing yards and a surprising 39 on the ground. Richland's runners, including Stevens, totaled 127 yards on only 22 carries. It must be difficult for a winless, struggling team to get up for a game like this, so the Bulldogs deserve respect for coming out and making an effort.
The Bombers head to Lampson Stadium once again to face of against the much-hyped Kamiakin Braves. Regardless of hype, Richland vs Kamiakin is always an intense game and is never a game Bomber fans want to miss. Get there early for good seats because it's sure to be packed.
Go Bombers!
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September 29, 20161234Final
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Pasco Bulldogs00000
- 1st Quarter
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Touchdown: Alex Chapman 55 yard pass from Paxton Stevens (kick failed)
Richland 6, Pasco 0 -
Touchdown: Stevens 15 yard (Ben Standfield run)
Richland 14, Pasco 0 -
Touchdown: Josh Mendoza 4 yard pass from Stevens (Adam Weissenfels kick)
Richland 21, Pasco 0 - 2nd Quarter
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Touchdown: Parker McCary 8 yard run (Weissenfels kick)
Richland 28, Pasco 0 -
Touchdown: Stanfield 15 yard pass from Stevens (Weissenfels kick)
Richland 35, Pasco 0 - 3rd Quarter
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Touchdown: Mendoza 22 yard interception return (kick failed)
Richland 41, Pasco 0 -
Touchdown: Weissenfels 7 yard pass from Stevens (kick failed)
Richland 47, Pasco 0
- News/Media
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Key matchups on tap in MCC
Tri-City Herald: Friday September 30, 2016
Tri-City Herald article from September 30, 2016 written by Dustin Brennan.
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Bombers shut out Bulldogs
Tri-City Herald: Sunday October 2, 2016
Prep Football Roundup from the Tri-City Herald in the September 2, 2016 edition of the Tri-City Herald.
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