Bulldogs Bow No Longer Sandpoint Knocks Off Cda For First Time Since 1977

Most of the players on Sandpoint High School’s football team weren’t born the last time a Bulldog team defeated Coeur d’Alene 18 years ago.

But the Bulldogs will be linked in history with the 1977 Sandpoint team after they put an end to 17 straight losses Friday in a wild 33-26 decision in an Inland Empire League game at Viking Field.

Equally important for Sandpoint is that the win secures no worse than a third-place finish in league and a State A-1 Division II playoff berth. The Bulldogs raised their record to 2-0 in league and 5-1 overall.

The Viks, playing in their league opener, fell to 1-5 overall as Sandpoint spoiled CdA’s homecoming before an estimated crowd of 1,500.

Sandpoint junior running back Jeremy Thielbahr had another workhorse night, but several other Bulldogs contributed big plays.

Perhaps no Bulldog had a bigger role in the victory than punter Brandon Eller. Twice in critical situations in the second half Eller retrieved high snaps over his head (one in the Viking end zone) and managed to get off kicks with several Viks closing in for an apparent kill.

The first critical play by Eller came moments after the Viks had closed within two points at 20-18 with 8:28 left in the third quarter. CdA’s Ben Ziegler blocked an attempted 34-yard field goal and teammate Eli Daly picked the bouncing ball up and scooted 75 yards for a touchdown.

CdA held Sandpoint on its next possession, and Eller dropped back to punt. The snap sailed over his head at the 18-yard line and bounded into the end zone. But Eller scrambled back to the end zone and got off a kick.

The Viks, who enjoyed great field position most of the game, blew a scoring opportunity when they took over at the Sandpoint 41.

Vikings quarterback Nick Rook dashed 13 yards on an option keeper to the 28 for a first down. But Daly fumbled and Sandpoint’s Gerrad Campbell recovered, the second of two recovered fumbles for the Bulldogs.

Sandpoint put the game away for all intents and purposes with two fourth quarter touchdowns.

The first touchdown in the final quarter came on a big play by junior quarterback Brett Taylor, who complemented Thielbahr.

Taylor hit Caleb Bowman on an out-and-up for a 17-yard connection on a fourth-and-13 situation. A Viking defensive back bit on the fake and Bowman managed to haul the pass in as teammate Ryan Corbeill streaked by in an attempt to intercept the pass.

Bowman walked into the end zone and the point-after by Matt Lindgren put Sandpoint ahead 27-18 with 5:29 remaining.

Sandpoint’s final TD came after CdA turned the ball over on downs at the Bulldog 15. Thielbahr, who gained 211 yards on 42 tough carries, ran untouched into the end zone from 6 yards out to put Sandpoint ahead 33-18 with 1:27 left.

Vik backup quarterback Rick Haymond quickly engineered a four-play drive that culminated with a 12-yard pass to Ben Davis for a TD with 37 seconds left to round out the scoring.

Taylor and Bowman connected on a huge momentum-shifting play with 50 seconds remaining before halftime. Bowman pulled in a 58-yard reception and caromed off Vik defensive back Corbeill. Bowman spun around and sprinted unmolested to the end zone. Sandpoint took a 13-12 lead into halftime.

Sandpoint 33, CdA 26

Sandpoint 0 13 7 13 - 33

CdA 6 6 6 8 - 26

C-Davis 21 pass from Rook (kick failed)

S-Wood 15 run (Lindgren kick)

C-Goodwin 95 kickoff return (pass failed)

S-Bowman 58 pass from Taylor (pass failed)

S-Thielbahr 10 run (Lindgren kick)

C-Daly 75 blocked field goal return (pass failed)

S-Bowman 17 pass from Taylor (Lindgren kick)

S-Thielbahr 6 run (kick failed)

C-Davis 12 pass from Haymond (Peebles pass from Haymond)

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo