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PREP FOOTBALL: Priest River posts second straight shutout in thrashing of Medical Lake

MAX OSWALD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 2 months AGO
by MAX OSWALD
I grew up in the small town of Orwigsburg, Pa., where I resided all of my life before moving to Sandpoint. I attended Blue Mountain High School, where I participated in cross country and track and field, a sport that I ended up falling in love with. I went on to attend and run for DeSales University (with other brief stints at Susquehanna University and Elizabethtown College) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sport communication with a minor in sport management. I remember just how great it made me feel when I was mentioned in my hometown newspaper. I want to be able to give that feeling to every athlete in Bonner County, no matter how big or small their accomplishments are. As an athlete myself, I know how many hours of work are put in on a daily basis, and that hard work deserves to be recognized. It is my goal to cover as much of the Bulldogs, Spartans and Wampus Cats as I can. I want to work with every athlete, parent, coach, administrator and the community to ensure the best stories are published. | September 28, 2024 11:55 AM

MEDICAL LAKE — Sophomore Nate Fegert recovered two fumbles, including a scoop and score for a 13-yard touchdown, registered 69 total yards and a receiving touchdown, and posted seven tackles on defense and the visiting Spartans won by a score of 43-0 for the second straight week, defeating the host Cardinals of Medical Lake in convincing fashion. 

“I am extremely proud of our team’s performance; it was a true collective effort with meaningful contributions from every player,” Priest River High head coach Alex Zepeda said. 

Zepeda said his Spartans distributed the ball effectively across the field, making it difficult for the defense to adjust. Leading the offense was senior Sawyer Staudt, who carried the ball 19 times for 92 yards and hauled in two catches for 21 yards to go along with three total touchdowns. Junior Lucas Mathews once again was behind center and went 9-for-19 passing for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Fegert rushed four times for an impressive 58 yards. 

On defense and special teams, the Spartans also excelled tremendously. Freshman Layton Goins posted a team-high eight tackles and returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown. Junior Niki Porinchok added seven tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Senior Skyler Simcox and junior Brady Hatten had six tackles each, sophomore Donovan Baldwin and junior Gavin Griesemer five each. Griesemer and senior Gunnar Eversole also combined for a sack on the night. 

“Overall, it was a well-rounded performance,” coach Zepeda said. “The team’s continued improvement each week is exactly what we, as coaches, strive to see.” 

Priest River (2-2) hosts Colfax on Friday.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS 

RUSHING: PR — Staudt 19-92, Fegert 4-58, Kuprienko 1-9, Goins 1-7, Mathews 1-6. 

PASSING: PR — Mathews 9-19-2-81, Goins 0-1-0-0. 

RECEIVING: PR — Staudt 2-21, Lamanna 1-18, Kuprienko 3-16, Fegert 1-11, Goins 1-9, L. Simcox 2-6. 

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