SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint Bulldogs took their first step toward a 4A state championship Friday night as they defeated the Skyview Hawks 63-35 in front of an energetic home crowd at War Memorial Field.

Sandpoint head coach Ryan Knowles knew even before the game that when these two teams met, it was going to be a battle.

He was most certainly right.

“I have a lot of respect for that offense and what they do,” Knowles said of Skyview. “We knew they were going to be hard to stop, they have some studs.”

The first half of the game saw Sandpoint largely in control with their opponents doing their best to defend against their high-powered offense. Knowles stressed that getting the right matchups was key to clipping the wings of the Hawks.

Carrying a 28-14 lead into the half, the Sandpoint crowd held their breath for a moment in the third quarter, as Skyview pushed to tie everything up.

“I had a feeling that there was going to be some back and forth,” Knowles said. “Didn’t want it, but sure proved to be true and you’re sitting at 28-28. Wow.”

The Bulldogs were able to crank up the dial on the offense after that though, as they would push for five more touchdowns, racking up a combined total of 465 rushing yards.

“The offense was really on track all day, which was exciting,” Knowles said. “It takes a lot of the pressure off of our defense and puts it back onto their offense, so that’s good complimentary football. We ended up getting some turnovers late (in the game) and once you get those, it kind of separated us from them on the scoreboard.”

Junior Max Frank led the Sandpoint offense with 160 rushing yards and five touchdowns.

“Max lit it up,” Knowles said.

Senior quarterback Parker Pettit continued his impressive season by throwing five passes for 68 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed six times for 91 yards and a touchdown. Senior Joseph Hughes also had an impressive game, rushing 109 yards and scored a touchdown.

The three combined for 360 of the team’s 465 total rushing yards.

Believing that the higher scoring game played in their favor, Knowles was pleased with how his team responded to the attempted comeback and pressured the Skyview defense.

“I don’t like the term ‘win and advance,’ because I don’t like the idea of just ‘surviving’ out here, but it truly is four quarters at a time.”

With the win, Sandpoint is now set to take on Shelley High School for the second year in a row in the second round. Sandpoint won last year’s matchup by a touchdown.

“I love this team, I’ll take them anytime, any place, anywhere,” Knowles said.