Sandpoint crashes out as Blackfoot romps
BLACKFOOT, Idaho – Blackfoot scored to take a 14-point lead.
Four minutes later, that lead dissolved to one.
After Sandpoint cut its deficit to 28-21 with nine minutes left in the game, Blackfoot running back Damon Bodkin fumbled. The ball popped right into the hands of Sandpoint lineman Carlos Collado, who returned it 53 yards for a touchdown.
It looked like Blackfoot would get the ball back without a lead to defend. But several Broncos burst around the edge on the point after attempt. Konnor Robinson got his hands on the ball to block the kick and prevent the Bulldogs from tying the game.
“The PAT was huge,” Blackfoot head coach Stan Buck said. “Kids needed to realize that that extra point was important. Konnor did.”
Sandpoint wouldn’t score again.
The Broncos and Bulldogs played a thriller at Blackfoot High School in the 4A state quarterfinals on Friday night. It felt like every time one team made a mistake, the other seized control of the game. In the end, Sandpoint committed more mistakes, which ulimately cost them in Blackfoot’s 42-27 win.
“The first state playoff game that we actually played in,” Blackfoot senior Josiah Hoskins said. “It’s a great feeling to come out and win.”
It didn’t take long to realize what kind of game would unfold. Blackfoot took a 7-0 lead on a 21-yard connection between Pacen Hayes (10 for 23, 259 yards, 4 TDs, 0 turnovers) and Hoskins (58 receiving yards). Sandpoint answered with a long, run-heavy drive that resulted in a touchdown.
The Bulldogs took a 14-7 lead after another long drive early in the second quarter. Sandpoint seemed to be in control. It pounded the ball with several running backs and repeatedly moved the chains on long scoring drives.
At halftime, Buck asked his players, “Who’s going to make the big plays?” In the third quarter, his players answered the question.
Blackfoot intercepted Sandpoint quarterback Nate Loutzenhiser twice in the third quarter. The second interception came near the end of the third quarter. Loutzenhiser rolled to his right and threw up a prayer before getting leveled by two Broncos defenders. Peterson intercepted pass and ran 47 yards for an easy touchdown.
Sandpoint was in Blackfoot’s territory with under a minute to play, but Loutzenhiser threw his fourth interception. Chase Causey, the recipient of Loutzenhiser’s fourth turnover, returned the pass for a touchdown to cement the final score.
Blackfoot will face Middleton next week at Holt Arena. The winner will go to the 4A state title game.