G-Prep offense awakens

It took a while for the Gonzaga Prep football team’s offense to get started Thursday against Rogers.

Thankfully for the Bullpups in the first half, their special teams and defense were on task until the offense took over.

G-Prep’s offense was at the top of its efficiency in the third quarter as the Bullpups pulled away for a 48-17 Greater Spokane League win at Joe Albi Stadium.

The Bullpups’ first three possessions of the third quarter resulted in touchdowns, initiating a running clock the final 13 minutes, 39 seconds.

G-Prep moved to 6-1 overall while Rogers fell to 0-7.

The Bullpups scored only two touchdowns the traditional way in the first half. They benefitted from a blocked punt and an interception return.

Rogers struck first when quarterback Dom Sanders avoided the rush, stepped up in the pocket and threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Kahlil Winfrey.

G-Prep lost two fumbles in the first quarter.

The Bullpups drew even at 7-7 when Conor McKenna, G-Prep coach Dave McKenna’s son, blocked a punt and Evan Weaver recovered it in the end zone.

In the early moments of the second quarter, the Bullpups took the lead for good when safety Kole Berriochoa intercepted a pass and returned it 68 yards for the score.

G-Prep scored two more TDs, both by running back Jack Bamis.

Bamis’ first TD came on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line when he dove over the top of the pile.

Then with 47 seconds left in the first half, Bamis bolted 19 yards up the middle for his second TD, extending G-Prep’s lead to 27-7.

Bamis had 167 yards on 16 carries in the first half. He finished with 245 and three TDs. Quarterback Kevin Thomas had 99 on nine rushes and a TD.

Bullpups defensive back Jack Padon had his third interception of the season. He leads the GSL.

Rogers foreign exchange student Mads Tranberg kicked a 26-yard field goal with 5:17 left.