Coeur d’Alene cruises past Lewiston 48-7

Coeur d’Alene’s fast-paced offense is tough to keep up with for opposing defenses, the chain crew and stat keepers.

The Vikings rolled up 390 total yards by halftime and scored 41 points in a 16-minute span as they cruised to a 48-7 Inland Empire League 5A football victory Friday over the visiting Lewiston Bengals.

Operating out of a no-huddle offense, Coeur d’Alene ripped off gains in big chunks and was immediately ready for the next snap, sometimes just as the chain gang was scrambling to put the yardage markers in place.

“If everybody is doing their jobs, we have a lot of guys that are threats,” head coach Shawn Amos said. “We don’t have to rely on one guy.”

Coeur d’Alene (3-3, 1-0), which played a rugged, road-heavy nonconference schedule, has won its last two games by a combined score of 108-21. Lewiston (2-3, 0-1), battling injuries to key players, has been outscored 98-14 in the last two weeks.

The Vikings defense limited Lewiston to 37 yards in the first half. Bengals quarterback Drew Melton, who missed last week’s loss to Richland with a concussion, was cleared to play late in the week. He was under constant pressure from Coeur d’Alene’s front seven.

On the second play of the game, Melton eluded two defenders before getting sacked by linebacker Drew Berger.

“Our defense was flying around, they were very aggressive,” Amos said. “Melton is a tough kid and it’s hard because he didn’t really get to practice this week.”

Senior quarterback Gunnar Amos passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown as CdA built a 41-0 halftime lead. Sophomore Jonny Plum had two touchdown receptions, including a 55-yarder on a swing pass that showed off his breakaway speed.

CdA converted two of Lewiston’s three first-half turnovers into touchdowns. The Vikings’ first touchdown – a 31-yard connection from Amos to Chase Blakley, came after Camden Doering blocked a Lewiston punt.

Coeur d’Alene had a few hiccups in the opening half with a turnover and some costly penalties, one that erased a long touchdown run.

“We’re definitely getting better but we left points on the table,” said Amos, whose team has a bye next week. “We still haven’t put together a half where everything clicked and we’re going to keep pushing for that.”

Four Vikings rushed for at least 45 yards, led by Gibson Green’s 67 yards. Lewiston’s touchdown came late in the third quarter when Andres Nunez broke free on a 77-yard reception from backup quarterback Kade Woods.