Turnover-plagued Kootenai knocked out by Garden Valley

HARRISON FLATS - J.D. Fuhriman scored two touchdowns as the visiting Garden Valley Wolverines defeated the Kootenai Warriors 32-8 in the quarterfinals of the state 1A Division II football playoffs Saturday at Kootenai High.

Simeon Desautel scored on a 35-yard run to give Kootenai an early 8-0 lead, but the Warriors had five turnovers - including four lost fumbles - in the game.

"We started off well offensively and got a good run to go," Kootenai coach Doug Naperiala said. "We kicked off and they fumbled on the 2-yard line and then we got caught holding in the end zone and the wheels came off after that."

Kootenai finishes 6-4. It was the third time in five years the schools have played in the playoffs and the Warriors' seventh straight trip to the playoffs.

"They're a good team and you've got to give them credit," Napierala said. "Both teams played a good, hard, physical game. They got some good breaks to go their way, whereas we didn't."

Garden Valley fumbled four times in the game, but was able to recover all of them.

"It was a hard-fought game," Napierala said. "But you can't win games when you turn the ball over five times. The kids worked their butts off and we'll get them next year."

Garden Valley (9-1) will face Lighthouse Christian (8-2) in the semifinals next week.

Garden Valley 8 12 6 6 - 32

Kootenai 8 0 0 0 - 8

Koot - Simeon Desautel 35 run (Carter Napierala pass from Marshall Willms)

GV - safety, Kootenai holding penalty in end zone

GV - J.D. Fuhriman 15 pass from Jono Lawler (run failed)

GV - Fuhriman 8 run (run failed)

GV - Lance Jones 35 run (run failed)

GV - Kit Fairburn 18 run (run failed)

GV - Lawler 3 run (run failed)