SANDPOINT — Big plays, momentum swings, a regional television audience and drama galore were the order of the night, as Post Falls and Sandpoint welcomed back the Friday Night Lights in style in a hard-hitting season opener at Barlow Stadium.

When the dust finally settled, the Trojans walked off the field with a thrilling 42-39 win, after the Bulldogs came up inches short on a fourth down attempt deep in the Trojans’ territory with 90 seconds left.

The Trojans (1-0) got touchdowns from six different players, and capitalized on a couple of critical errors by Sandpoint, seizing control of a game that went back and forth from the first quarter to the final horn.

Sandpoint (0-1) head coach Satini Puailoa lamented the loss, but was encouraged with how his team matched up against a quality 5A program.

“For us, there were too many mistakes. We had them on the ropes several times, and in many ways we outplayed them,” said Puailoa. “We’ve got to take a team like this and finish it off.”

Collin Hildreth and Chaz Bailey each scored on short runs to stake the Trojans to an early 14-0 first quarter lead, capitalizing on short fields and finishing drives, something they were able to do all night.

Kyle Perry, who finished with a game-high 142 yards on the ground, found paydirt from two yards and 17 yards out to cut the lead to 14-13 after a missed extra point. After three straight punts by the Trojans, Matthew Timothy hauled in a 65 yard strike from quarterback Nate Loutzenhiser to give Sandpoint a 19-14 lead.

After a Zach Hillman interception, Ryan English hauled in a one yard catch from quarterback Dalton Thompson to give the Trojans a 21-19 lead with 30 seconds left in the half.

Perry fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and on the final play of the first half, a Thompson pass went through the hands of a Bulldog defender, deflecting right to a wide open Hillman for a five yard touchdown and 28-19 halftime lead.

Perry wouldn’t have to wait long for redemption, taking the second half kickoff up the middle, making one move, then outrunning the pursuit for a 91 yard return, cutting the Trojans’ lead to 28-26.

Like they did all game, the Trojans had an answer, as Thompson, who finished an efficient 19-22 through the air for 102 yards and four touchdowns, found a wide open Preston Bourgard for a 22 yard score, giving his team a 35-26 lead.

After a couple of big defensive plays by Michael Plaster and Tyler Harris, the Bulldogs struck with yet another big play, this time a 77 yard throw and catch from Loutzenhiser to a wide open Wyatt McCormmick, who ran in untouched to cut the lead to 35-33 late in the third quarter.

Momentum swung yet again for the Trojans after punter Nathan Gregory picked up a big gain on a fake punt, setting up a 15 yard touchdown catch by tight end Kamerom Welker, for a nine point lead with seven minutes left in the game.

A big catch and run by Curtis Roop put the Bulldogs in the red zone two minutes later, and Perry punched in his third touchdown run from 10 yards for the final score of the game. The Bulldogs drove down to the Trojans 17 yard line with under two minutes left, but came up inches short on a fourth down catch to end the game.

“Our kids were prepared to win this game,” said Puailoa. “We just need to finish, can’t shoot ourselves in the foot. We let this one get away.”

Sandpoint is at University next Friday.

Post Falls   14   14   7    7 — 42

Sandpoint   7    12   14  6 — 39

PF — Collin Hilldreth 1 run (Nathan Gregory kick)

PF — Chaz Bailey 5 catch from Dalton Thompson (Gregory kick)

SHS — Kyle Perry 2 run (Michael Plaster kick)

SHS — Perry 17 run (kick blocked)

SHS — Matthew Timothy 65 catch from Nate Loutzenhiser (run fail)

PF — Ryan English 1 catch from Thompson (Gregory kick )

PF — Zach Hillman 6 catch from Thompson Gregory kick)

SHS — Perry 91 kick return (Plaster kick )

PF — Preston Bourgard 22 catch from Thompson (Gregory  kick)

SHS — Wyatt Mccormick 77 catch from Loutzenhiser (Plaster kick)

PF — Kamerom Welker 16 catch from Thompson (Gregory kick)

SHS — Perry 10 run (kick blocked)

Team Stats        SHS            PF

First Downs        

11        15

Rushes-yds        27-193        44-205

Passing-yds        255            102

QB                12-21-1        9-22-0

Punts-Ave        2-14.5        5-42

Fumbles-lost        1-1            1-0

Penalties        

7-65        5-45

SHS Rushing: Curtis Roop 6-20, Kyle Perry 16-142, Matthew Timothy 1-8, Nate Loutzenhiser 3-19, #11 1-4

SHS Receiving: Curtis Roop 1-38, Jake Timothy 1-4, Wyatt McCormick 2-103, Kyle Perry 3-19, Matthew Timothy 4-85

PF Running: Kaden Nelson 2-(-1), Austin Jensen 16-102, Dalton Thompson 16-36, Collin Hil

PF Receiving: Kaden Nelson 2-25, Zach Hilman 3-39, Mark Haines 1-1, Chaz Bailey 1-5, Preston Bourgard 1-22, Kamerom Welker 1-16