Sandpoint beats Lethbridge, opens state at Hillcrest

SANDPOINT — The Bulldogs celebrated Senior Night with a 24-10 win over Lethbridge on Friday night at Barlow Stadium.

Dillan Mitton carried 23 times for 101 yards and a score, Alex Stockton rushed for 78 yards and Christian Niemela hauled in a 35 yard touchdown from Jaxon Pettit as the Bulldogs (3-6) beat their second Canadian opponent of the season.

Sandpoint had a special guest give a speech in the locker room at halftime, as recent NFL Hall of Fame inductee and former Bulldog Jerry Kramer addressed his alma mater at halftime.

“We had Jerry Kramer in our locker room at halftime. The greatest Bulldog of all time, a real treat,” said Bulldog head coach Ryan Knowles. “It was the usual suspects. Alex made some amazing plays. Dylan is a horse, he keeps going. Proud of the guys.”

Lethbridge out-gained the Bulldogs and posted one more first down, but turnovers proved their downfall. Pettit finished 10-16 for 115 yards, and converted a big 4th and 15 to a wide open Niemela for the touchdown that helped put the game away.

It was the second game against a U.S. opponent for Lethbridge, which lost 35-0 earlier in the year to 4A Blackfoot in the season opener.

Connor Hutchings continues to plug gaps and make plays in the trenches, Brandon Casey had a pair of tackles for loss and seniors Riley Anderson and Josiah Neff nabbed interceptions in a strong defensive effort.

Moscow, which suited up only 22 players in a win over Sandpoint, continued to surprise in the 4A IEL, beating Lakeland 28-21 by scheming to use their small handful of exceptional athletes to maximum potential. The win means Sandpiont is the No. 2 seed from the three team league in the state playoffs.

The Bears secured the No. 1 seed and will host a first round playoff game, while the Bulldogs will bus to Idaho Falls and face No. 1 ranked Hillcrest in the 4A playoff opener next Friday.

“This team showed some good resolve,” said Knowles of his charges. “We’ll get on that bus, go down and take our shot.”

Lethbridge 0 0 7 3 — 10

Sandpoint 0 10 7 7 — 24

Spt — Dylan Peterson 34 field goal

Spt — Dillan Mitton 2 run (Peterson kick)

LCI — Spencer Stanko 4 run (Jace Edwards kick)

Spt — Christian Niemela 35 catch from Jaxon Pettit (Dylan Peterson kick)

Spt — Pettit 3 run (Peterson kick)

SHS Lethbridge

First Downs 11 12

Yds Rushing 36-122 25-85

Passing yds 115 189

QB 10-16 19-42

Interceptions 0 2

Punts-Ave 3-31 2-21

Fumbles-lost 4-2 2-2

Penalties 11-125 5-45

Spt rushing: Alex Stockton 6-78, Dillan Mitton 23-101, Jaxon Pettit 4-(-9), Declan Plummer 2-4, Payton Cox 2-4, Christian Niemela 2-23.

Spt receiving: Alex Stockton 2-37, Hunter Elliot 3-43, Christian Niemela 1-35.

KOR: Parks Hirsche 3-35, Dillan Mitton 1-52, Christian Niemela 2-44.