BONNERS FERRY — The 5A Lakeland Hawks capitalized on mistakes made by the 4A Bonners Ferry Badgers, again and again at the season opener for both schools Saturday, Aug. 24, at Kenny Mendenhall Stadium.  

The 5A Hawks, thanks to four touchdowns by senior running back Lovie Weil and a fumble return for a touchdown from junior Broxton Lukey, beat the Bonners Ferry, 41-0. 

“We had the philosophy to run the ball,” Bonners Ferry second-year head coach Danny Swift. He noted that with only two weeks of practice coaches and the team don’t know what they are working with until they play on the field. 

“It was a tough match up. Like I told the team, Lakeland is one of the two toughest match-up on our schedule this year,” he said.  

Badger senior QB Brody Rice went 6-for-11 for 76 yards and two interceptions. 

Sulay Abubakari led the team with six tackles.  

The Hawks’ size outmatched the Badgers on the line, Swift said. “Thier nose-guard was a mountain of a man,” Swift admitted, adding he affected the Badgers line of sight and allowed Lakeland’s running back to get down field.  

However, Swift said the Badgers defense did well protect against Lakeland’s passing and slowing them down, something they have been working on.  

“Last year we got killed by the pass,” Swift said. “But Blake Rice and Alex Stolley had us covered when on defense.” 

On offense, he commended offensive guard Kai Aitken who played through sickness and anchored offensive line.  

Swift said Badger defense will have to focus on better tackles and reading the offense. 

Several members of the Badger linemen were injured on Saturday, and having to bring up a JV player helped, but the void was noticed.  

“Our offense needs to work on sustaining blocks, focusing on mental mistakes, like dropping the ball, pantalets and holding calls, all are drive killers,” he said. “We gotta shore it up and do a better job going forward.” 

Overall, Swift said he was proud of the team’s effort and not shying away, but ready to  go toe-to-toe against a hefty opponent.  

“For the most part, we played well enough to get the shutout,” Lakeland head coach Mike Schroeder said. “Our ground game was a little better, but the pace of the game was really slow. Defensively, we played great. We’re a little physically better than we were last year having some guys back. But we still have some things to work on.” 

Bonners Ferry hosts Lincoln County of Eureka, Mont., Friday at 7 p.m. 

Lakeland    7    14    14    7    —    41 

Bonners Ferry    0    0    0    0    —    0 

LL — Lovie Weil touchdown run (Peyton Hillman kick) 

LL — Broxton Lukey 45 fumble return (Hillman kick) 

LL — Haydon Benson 3 run (kick failed) 

LL — Weil 30 run (Hillman kick) 

LL — Weil 1 run (Hillman kick) 

LL — Weil 15 run (Hillman kick) 

Fellow 4A Intermountain League opponents Timberlake (0-1) and Moscow (1-0) also had their season openers on Saturday.  

Defending state champion Sugar-Salem mowed over the Timberlake Tigers 64-0.  

Timberlake was outgained 338-63 in total yards in the meet-you-halfway game at Anaconda High’s Mitchell Stadium. 

Meanwhile, Moscow, which has petitioned down from 5A for football only, won its first home game in three years, defeating 3A Kellogg 43-0.  

Senior wide receiver Butch Kiblen returned after two years from an injury and scored four-touch downs for the Bears. He had 72-yard touchdown catch on the opening drive.   

Sugar-Salem 64 

Timberlake 0 

Timberlake    0    0    0    0    —    0  

Sugar-Salem    27    13    10    14    —    64 

Moscow 43 

Kellogg 0 

Kellogg 0 0 0 0—0 

Moscow 7 10 20 6—43 

    QB Brody Rice sacked by Lakeland defense.