SANDPOINT — A huge second quarter staked the Bulldogs to an early 19-7 lead, but the 5A Bengals turned the tide and controlled much of the second half, claiming a 33-26 road win over the Bulldogs in nonleague football Friday night at Barlow Stadium.

The Bulldogs (1-4) looked sharp early, as T.J. Davis hauled in a five yard catch from Declan Plummer for a 7-0 lead after a scoreless first quarter, followed by a 42 yard scoring scamper from the speedy Dustin Norris, as the Bulldogs led 13-0 early.

Lewiston (3-2) rode the arm of junior quarterback Tyson Wallace, who cut the lead to 13-7 with the first of his five touchdowns after throwing a whopping 45 times in the game.

On the ensuing kickoff, Dustin Norris took the ball up the middle, exploded to daylight, and took the return 80 yards to the house by outrunning everyone, with the extra point failing again for a 19-7 lead. Alex Stockton had a strong game at both safety and linebacker, Thomas Riley had an interception and Cal Wilcox a big tackle for loss in a strong defensive first half effort. It was some of the best football of the season for the Bulldogs, who took a 19-14 lead into half.

“In the first half we looked awesome. In the second half we couldn’t execute,” said Yarno. “If we can execute for an entire game, it’s a different outcome.”

The Bulldogs had trouble running the ball in the second half, and was behind the sticks often as it seemed a Lewiston defender was in the backfield often, leading to a host of three and outs left that the defense on the field.

The Bangals were moving the ball through the air with great precision, finding open receivers in the vertical passing game as they reeled off 26 unanswered points to take a 33-19 lead in the fourth quarter.

Plummer, who finished 10-17 for 150 yards through the air, found Julian Barajas for a 65 yard scoring strike late in the fourth to cut it to a one score game, but the Bulldogs couldn’t recover the onside kick. Barajas now has a TD catch in the past three games.

“Our kids never quit fighting. I told them effort and attitude are two things we can control. We can fix the mental mistakes,” claimed Yarno. “We played good Bulldog football in the first half. We have to learn to put a full game together. These kids will get it done.”

Lewiston had a pair of touchdowns called back for penalties, and Payton Cox jumped a flat route and picked off a ball in the end zone to keep the game close in the second half, as the Bulldog offense could not sustain drives.

Garrett Chandler had a strong game punting for the Bulldogs, flipping field position a couple times with big punts, including a 55 yarder.

Sandpoint will face another 5A opponent next Friday, when Lake City comes to town. Yarno is hoping to continue to see improvement, and can’t wait to play in front of the home fans again.

“This is an amazing place to be,” said Yarno of Barlow Stadium. “These kids will get better, we’ll play harder and win some football games.”

Lewiston 0 14 7 12 — 33

Sandpoint 0 19 0 7 — 26

Spt — T.J. Davis 5 catch from Declan Plummer (Garrett Chandler kick)

Spt — Dustin Norris 42 run (kick failed)

Lew — Tanner Hutchens 15 catch from Tyson Wallace (Connor Stamper kick)

Spt — Norris 80 kick return (kick failed)

Lew — Wallace 5 run (Stamper kick)

Lew — Treyce Bradley 7 catch from Wallace (Stamper kick)

Lew — Lewiston 29 catch from Wallace (kick failed)

Lew — Donaven Santana 15 catch from Wallace (kick failed)

Spt — Julian Barajas 65 catch from Plummer (Chandler kick)