By: Parker Schulz

Read the Story in the Atomic Times

On October 31, 2024, the Richland Bombers traveled to Neil F. Lampson Stadium to take on their rivals, the Kamiakin Braves. Beating Kamiakin 21 to 20, the Bombers spoiled the Braves’ senior night. The win over the Braves ended the Bombers’ 5-year losing streak against them and improved Richland’s all-time record against Kamiakin to 28-26. Headed into the game, their final game of the regular season, the stakes were high. Both teams’ ambitions were higher than normal for this game, as this game would affect their postseason and decide the 2nd seed in the 4A MCC. The winner would make it to the playoffs and get to play a Friday or Saturday game the following week, while the loser would be in a play-in, playing the next Tuesday.

Coming off a loss the previous week against the Chiawana Riverhawks and knowing the importance of this game for their postseason, senior running back Jake Brannon said this about the Bombers’ focus and preparation for Kamiakin, “We have been focusing on our offense's ability to produce drives with a different attitude and new plays. We are also working on defense to produce panic on Kamiakin’s offense.” Clearly, the Bombers were able to replicate what they’ve been working on, as they ended the game with 299 passing yards and 3 passing touchdowns while picking Kamiakin off twice and forcing them to punt 6 times. Showing a high level of play on both sides led the Bombers to maintain offensive momentum and create crucial turnovers.

When asked about the impact of missing key players such as Brody Bocek and Hayden Galloway was going to impact the game plan, head coach Josh Jelinek said, “It changes a lot. Those guys are game-changers by themselves. Them being gone puts more emphasis on the run game and having to use players such as Colson Mackey, Preston Bryant, and Zach Rose.” Their game plan was proven to be successful--missing key players allowed for others to step up, such as Brannon, who rushed for 78 yards; Mackey, who had 173 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns; and Rose, who had 84 yards receiving and a touchdown. They showed consistency throughout Richland’s drives and were essential for Richland’s win.

Even though Richland came out on top, Kamiakin’s team was formidable and nothing to take lightly. Their quarterback, Trent Woodhouse, showed elite athleticism and skill to be able to make big plays for the Braves, as he threw for 155 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown. Woodhouse had various plays where he showed his ability to keep the play alive by scrambling out of the pocket and away from defenders to either rush or make a pass. Tristan Meichert performed as the Braves’ top receiver, with 3 catches for 60 yards and a touchdown. Kamiakin’s defense was also able to stop the Bombers’ drives multiple times, breaking through their line twice sacks.

Before the game began, fans filled the stands from both sides of the stadium to witness the highly anticipated rivalry game. Chanting constantly at each other, the student sections added an electric feel to the environment. The 1st quarter started slowly. On the first two drives of the game, neither team was able to get any momentum started, as both were forced to punt within their own half. In the Bombers’ 2nd drive of the game, they were able to get a good drive going, getting them within scoring distance. The Bombers went for it on 4th and 12, on Kamiakin’s 23-yard line, and quarterback Jackson Woodard found Rose wide open in the end zone. Bombers’ kicker, Dylan Dunnum, missed the PAT, making the score 6-0 Richland. Struggling to find their footing in the game, the Braves were forced to punt on their 2nd drive. Richland’s 3rd drive started on their own12 yard line. On the first play of the drive, Mackey blew by the 3-star WSU commit cornerback, David Kuku, for an 88-yard touchdown reception. Unfortunately, Dunnum again missed the PAT, making the score 12-0 Richland. Kamiakin began gaining momentum late in the 1st quarter when Trent Woodhouse rushed for 45 yards to put Kamiakin on the Bombers’ 2-yard line. Woodhouse then followed that up with a 2-yard rushing touchdown, and the Braves made their PAT, making the score 12-7 Richland.

After a productive drive, with 8:30 left in the half, the Bombers found themselves on Kamiakin’s 10-yard line, where they attempted a field goal that was off target as Dunnum shanked the kick. Kamiakin used this stop to get back into the game on their next drive. They drove down the field, aided by several flags on the Bomber defense. On 3rd and 2 from the Richland 10, Woodhouse was able to scramble from the defense to throw to #0, David Kuku for the 1st down, keeping their drive alive. Handing the ball off to #24, running back Korbyn Hopwood, he ran the ball in for an easy 1-yard touchdown. Even though the Braves missed the PAT, they took the lead against the Bombers, going up 13-12. But the Bombers didn’t trail long. With 2:30 left in the half, the Bombers again struck from deep, with Mackey catching a 52-yard touchdown reception. Looking to make up for the previous missed kicks, the Bombers tried a 2-point conversion but didn’t find success. On Kamiakin’s last drive of the half, Woodhouse tried to throw but ended up being picked off by Jake Brannon with 13 seconds left. The Bombers chose to run out the remaining time in the half, making the halftime score 18-13 Bombers.

Starting the second half, the Bombers’ defense came out hot. On the first play of the half, #22, Kiyen Williams picked off Woodhouse deep in their own territory, putting Richland just 9 yards from the goal line. The Bombers offense floundered on this drive. On 4th and goal from the 3-yard line, Kamiakin stuffed Woodard as he looked to rush the ball in. For most of the 3rd quarter, neither team could score, but that changed with 3:00 minutes left in the 3rd. Kamiakin’s Tristan Meichert caught a pass from Woodhouse to end their 3rd drive of the half with a big touchdown. This put Kamiakin ahead 20-18, a lead they kept for the rest of the 3rd quarter and most of the 4th.

Late in the 4th, starting deep in their own territory and with time running down, the Bombers needed an efficient drive if they wanted to come back and win. #15, receiver Dylan Dunnum, a Swiss army knife, was crucial on the drive, as he had 3 catches helping the Bombers make it down the field. Mackey, targeted down the field but unable to make the catch, was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, pushing the Bombers back. To make up for his flag, on the next play, Mackey caught a pass, getting the Bombers a good amount of yards. Rose then got the Bombers within scoring distance of the endzone. Finding themselves 27 yards from the goal line on 4th down with less than a minute left, the Bombers decided to kick the field goal. Because of their earlier kicking game struggles, the coaches decided to sit their usual kicker and have junior kicker #99, Sam Amaya, make an attempt. Unphased with the pressure of winning the game relying on this kick, Amaya drilled the kick dead center and with more than enough distance. The Bombers’ stands went crazy with excitement after the kick, as the Bombers took the lead 21-20 with less than a minute left.

With limited time remaining, Kamiakin showed their best effort to try to come back. Woodhouse tried throwing deep but couldn’t find any open receivers, as Richland’s defense wasn’t allowing anything through. With a final attempted hail mary, the Bombers would swat the ball down as time expired, securing Richland’s win.

After the game, the Bombers’ top receiver of the game Mackey, reflected on his performance and the Bomber's chances looking forward. The few days prior to the game, Mackey had been running a fever of over 100 degrees and had been physically stressed. When asked how he pushed through despite not being 100%, Mackey replied, “I knew the results of the game had so much riding on it that I couldn’t sit out.” Even while being sick, Mackey didn’t let it get to him; he was able to stay mentally ready and focused on the game. He was able to put up an impressive stat line in which he led the game in both receiving yards and touchdowns. One of the aspects of Mackey’s game that led to his success as a receiver in this game was his ability to be a deep threat, as his height, speed, and vertical ability all combined to let him thrive as a receiver. Colson’s flu game is one that will definitely be remembered. Going forward from this game, the Bombers will be headed to the playoffs, and when asked about the Bombers’ mentality going forward, Mackey had this to say about the Bombers: “That was exactly what our team needed. We proved that we could win a big game, and now I’m confident that we will go into every game with that same mentality. We are going on a run.” The Bombers will face Yelm (7-2) on Friday the 8th on the road.