Quick-Strike Bengals Overwhelm Sandpoint

An offensive slugfest was what many people expected when Lewiston visited Sandpoint Friday in Inland Empire League high school football.

So the 600 fans who showed up at Barlow Stadium weren’t disappointed in that regard as the teams combined for 96 points.

But that’s where the “good news” ended for Bulldogs fans as Lewiston, behind a bigplay -no, make that huge-play -offense, destroyed a tough Sandpoint team 63-33.

The Bengals struck quick and often.

Lewiston picked up 473 yards in total offense in scoring its 63 points yet only had seven first downs.

In contrast, Sandpoint had 380 yards in total offense and 20 first downs.

Lewiston just didn’t waste any time.

The Bengals, who had not lost to a Sandpoint team since 1980, appeared to be intent on settling the issue quickly.

After holding the Bulldogs on downs on their first series, Lewiston took just two plays to get on the board, scoring on a 24-yard run by Chris Kennedy.

Sandpoint was again forced to punt and the Bengals made it 14-0, again going to Kennedy, who took a Jeremy Frei pitch and scooted around the right end for 10 yards.

Sandpoint fought back and closed to 14-7 when quarterback Brett Taylor hit Carson Jeffres with a 27-yard strike to start the second quarter.

Then Kennedy, Frei and receiver Jim Farris went back to work.

Frei connected with Farris on TD passes of 61 and 41 yards sandwiched around a Sandpoint score and the two Bengals combined again on a 34-yard pass play in the third quarter.

Kennedy, who finished with 190 yards on just 13 carries, added touchdown runs of 68 and 59 yards.

Frei finished with five completions for 194 yards and two touchdowns before taking a seat on the bench in the third quarter.

With the win, Lewiston goes to 3-1 in the IEL and 7-1 overall.

Sandpoint (2-1 IEL, 6-2 overall) got another great effort out of junior running back Jeremy Thielbahr, who rushed for 197 yards on 36 carries and had two touchdowns.

Taylor finished with 13 completions in 24 attempts for 164 yards for Sandpoint.

Lewiston 63, Sandpoint 33

Lewiston 14 14 28 7 - 63

Sandpoint 0 14 7 12 - 33

L-Kennedy 15 run (Van Malsen kick)

L-Kennedy 10 run (Van Malsen kick)

S-Jeffres 27 pass from Taylor (Lindgren kick)

L-Farris 61 pass from Frei (Van Malsen kick)

S-Thielbahr 23 run (Lindgren kick)

L-Farris 41 pass from Frei (Van Malsen kick)

L-Kennedy 68 run (Van Malsen kick)

L-Farris 34 pass from Frei (Van Malsen kick)

L-Kennedy 59 run (Van Malsen kick)

L-Jones 23 pass from Rice (Van Malsen kick)

S-Thielbahr 6 run (Lindgren kick)

L-Ah Hi 3 run (Van Malsen kick)

S-Jeffres 60 pass from Taylor (pass failed)

S-Taylor 1 run (pass failed)