Game Recap September 18, 2017
A Richland vs Kennewick football game doesn’t always end with a close score, but it always includes big plays, hard hits, and intense competition. This year didn’t disappoint. The Lions came in as underdogs to the 2-0 Bombers, but they also came in looking for a win. With linebackers Victor Strasser and Parker McCary out with injuries, this week may have been their best chance. It took about four minutes for senior running back Jared Whitby, subbing for McCary, to show he could fill in quite ably. His bruising running style kept the Kennewick linebackers and defensive backs on their heels, if not their backs. A 30 yard run up the middle put the score at 7-0 only 90 seconds into the game, and Ryan Piper running a slant from the right side caught a bullet from QB Cade Jensen to go up 14-0 with seven minutes to go in the first quarter.
Despite several offensive hiccups, in the form of penalties, which kept Richland from racking up more points, their defense kept the Lions at bay. Jax Lee and Aric Davison had consecutive tackles for a loss in the backfield, putting Kennewick on notice that the Richland D line was still dominant. The Lions defense tried to match them, forcing a couple of ugly turnovers on downs near the goal line, and setting the stage for the longest play of the night. Backed up to their own end zone on third down, Kennewick looked to pass but ran a gutsy draw play, handing it off to Cedric Riel deep in the end zone. Riel barely escaped a tackle and then sped past the entire Bomber D for the length of the field, getting his team within 7 points as the first quarter wound down.
More good runs by Whitby and tough play by the D line kept things interesting, the Lions countered with an interception, but Richland struck again when LB/RB Casey Perryman went up the middle and cut right from 45 yards out. It was an onslaught after that. Josh Mendoza scored on a long interception return, brutally shucking a would-be tackler at the sideline and ran through a mob for a TD. With three minutes to go, the defense kept Kennewick frustrated with a series that ended on a fourth and 21. Mendoza showed his face again one play later with a 23 yard TD catch at the front left corner of the end zone. 34-7 with two minutes to go, but the Bombers weren’t done yet. Connor Faucheaux fell on a fumble in the backfield, and a few plays later Mendoza reached over a defender to grab a low pass in the same spot as his previous TD. With the score 41-7 with 25 seconds left in the half, Kennewick opted to kneel the ball and burn the clock to end the half.
The second half picked up where the first half left off, with Mendoza recovering a muffed kick at the 25. An Adam Weissenfels catch, some Whitby runs, and a Jensen keeper to the left side resulted in a 48-7 score and a running clock for the second consecutive game (take note, MCC). Jensen’s celebration penalty gave Kennewick better field position, but a quickly burning clock and a still savage D line thwarted any attempts to close the gap. Most of the Richland starters were replaced at this point, but the second string continued to fight off the Lions on offense and defense. The last score, Jensen’s 7 yard run one minute into the third quarter, gave the game its final score of 48-7.
Despite many of their players taking a physical beating on the field, Kennewick provided a change from non-league play by bringing the MCC’s traditional hard-nosed style to Fran Rish. The Bomber defense played well, and would have held Kennewick to less than 100 total yards if not for the nearly 100 yard run in the first quarter. Despite that great effort, Strasser’s dynamic play and instinct at linebacker was definitely missed. The D line proved tough, with Lee and Davison, along with substitute Caleb Chapman, holding back Kennewick’s attempts to advance up the middle. Richland’s offense showed depth, with great catches by Ryan Kriskovich all game, and even the JV-level substitutes advancing the ball late in the game, and still put up nearly 50 points despite McCary being on the sideline.
Next week Richland plays Southridge at Lampson Stadium, where they were 6-0 last year. Home or away, the Bombers are bringing it, and a lot of Bomber Nation will be there to see it.
Go Bombers!
- Atomic TV Livestream: Kennewick Lions at Richland Bombers
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September 15, 20171234Final
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Kennewick Lions70007
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Richland Bombers14277048
- 1st Quarter
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Touchdown: Jared Whitby 30 yard run (Adam Weissenfels kick)
Richland 7, Kennewick 0 -
Touchdown: Ryan Piper 1 yard pass from Cade Jensen (Weissenfels kick)
Richland 14, Kennewick 0 -
Touchdown: Cedric Riel 97 yard run (Emilio Ramos kick)
Richland 14, Kennewick 7 - 2nd Quarter
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Touchdown: Casey Perryman 39 yard run (kick failed)
Richland 21, Kennewick 7 -
Touchdown: Josh Mendoza 57 yard interception return (Weissenfels kick)
Richland 28, Kennewick 7 -
Touchdown: Mendoza 23 yard pass from Jensen (Weissenfels kick)
Richland 35, Kennewick 7 -
Touchdown: Mendoza 27 yard pass from Jensen (Weissenfels kick)
Richland 42, Kennewick 7 - 3rd Quarter
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Touchdown: Jensen 6 yard run (Weissenfels kick)
Richland 49, Kennewick 7
- News/Media
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Conference play begins for MCC teams
Tri-City Herald: Friday September 15, 2017
Article by Dustin Brennan highlighting the first week of conference play with Richland taking on the Kennewick Lions at Fran Rish Stadium on September 15, 2017.
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Seattle Times Top 10 and State Results
Seattle Times: Saturday September 16, 2017
Top 10 results for 4A and 3A and game results from across the state. September 16, 2017 edition of the Seattle Times.
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Mendoza's 3-minute flurry fuels blowout
Tri-City Herald: Sunday September 17, 2017
Tri-City Herald article by Jeff Morrow in the Sunday, September 17, 2017 edition.
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Kamiakin, Royal continues to impress
Tri-City Herald: Thursday September 21, 2017
State 4A football poll for September 21, 2017
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Seattle Times high school football rankings
Seattle Times: Thursday September 21, 2017
Richland holds on to spot number 3 in the Seattle Times Rankings and number 4 in the AP poll. September 21, 2017.
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