Running Game Makes Strides In Idaho Scrimmage

Idaho roundup

Last week the Idaho Vandals’ passing offense put up some big numbers. This week it was the running game that stole the show at Saturday’s football scrimmage in the Kibbie Dome.

Junior running back Lavoni Kidd, who sat out last season, carried the ball 14 times for 117 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore running back Joel Thomas added 114 yards on 17 carries and a score.

“Overall I think we were a little more efficient offensively,” said Vandals coach Chris Tormey. “We only had two turnovers in 100 plays, which is a pretty good effort. We ran the ball pretty well today. I was really impressed with Lavoni Kidd. He looks like he’s got the ability to help us win.

“We had two holding penalties this week after six last week. Defensively we were missing three of our four starting defensive lineman in this scrimmage. The disappointing thing is that we didn’t stop the big run today.”

The No. 1 Vandal defense was without defensive tackles Tim Wilson (ill), Dan Zeamer (out for spring while recovering from surgery) and defensive end Barry Mitchell (foot injury). The Vandal offense took advantage by reeling off 10 runs of 10 yards or more.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Robert Scott looked sharp in leading two long scoring drives. The first featured the No. 2 offense against the No. 2 defense as he directed a 14-play, 70-yard drive. Along the way, the offense converted on fourth-andone, third-and-13 and third-and-11. The last third-down conversion culminated in a 14-yard scoring pass to Rocky Barlow.

The second drive featured the No. 2 offense against the No. 1 defense. Scott started the drive with a 7-yard pass to Barlow. Kidd did the rest, reeling off back-to-back runs of 39 and 14 yards, the second going for a TD.

Sophomore quarterback Brian Brennan led the No. 1 offense on a six-play, 60-yard drive against he No. 2 defense that ended with a 19-yard scoring strike to Dwight McKinzie.

Brennan was 9 of 14 for 90 yards with one touchdown, while Scott was 6 of 12 for 63 yards and a score.

Prep baseball

Lakeland didn’t score until the fifth inning of the first game, but outscored host Bonners Ferry 23-2 thereafter in 8-3 and 15-0 Intermountain League baseball wins over the Badgers. A no-hitter by Brett Deboer highlighted the second game. Deboer struck out eight.

At Coeur d’Alene, Todd Hughes went 4 for 4 in the first game and Jason Rook had four hits in the second as the Vikings improved their record to 6-2 with an Inland Empire League sweep of visiting Moscow, 9-4 and 12-5.

The Vikings scored four runs in the first inning of game one and four times in the second inning of game two to rally from early deficits.

Jeff Anstine struck out five and allowed but two earned runs to win the first game. Bruce Coppess had three RBIs in in game two.

Six Moscow errors were the difference in the second game.

Softball

On Friday, Lake City’s Kelly Nelson pitched her second consecutive no-hitter during the Timberwolves 11-0, 14-4 sweep at Lewiston. She improved to 4-0 in league and 6-0 overall.

Soccer

Coeur d’Alene bounced back from a defeat against Moscow last Monday to beat the Bears 6-2 in an Intermountain League match at home.

The Vikings (1-2, 4-5) dominated, limiting Moscow to three shots on goal in the first half and riding the hat trick by Brett Fink in its turnaround.

Golf

Travis Fulton of Kellogg was medalist with a 74 at the Kellogg Country Club, but the Wildcats finished 10 strokes behind winner Moscow during the Intermountain League match involving six schools. Teammate Mike Van Hoose was third at 80.

Kellogg’s girls won easily with a 24-stroke advantage over Bonners Ferry. Beth Knott was medalist for the winners with 100.