Cougs best Utah State in Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
CALEB PEREZ | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months, 3 weeks AGO
WSU wide receiver Landon Wright does a backflip after scoring a touchdown in a previous game this season. Wright caught a 39-yard touchdown during the Cougar’s bowl win over Utah State.
ROGELIO V. SOLIS/ASSOCIATED PRESS
BOISE — The Washington State University Cougars (7-6) concluded their season with a win over the Utah State Aggies in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl game. The two 6-6 teams faced off in a showdown at 11 a.m. Monday.
“These guys chose to be here and play for each other, couldn’t be more proud of these guys,” said Cougars interim head coach Jesse Bobbit. “I thank them for allowing me to lead them, but this was their team, this was them.”
The Cougars got on the board first with 7:08 on the clock when quarterback Zevi Eckhaus completed a 41-yard touchdown pass to receiver Mackenzie Alleyne to go up 7-0. WSU would score again in the second quarter when Eckhaus would complete another pass to tight end Hudson Cedarland to end the half 14-0.
Coming into the third quarter, Washington’s kicker would score two field goals, one from 23 yards with 11:25 on the clock and another from 25 yards with 7:31 on the clock. The Aggies would finally get on the board with 2:27 left in the third quarter with a two-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Bryson Barnes to put the game at 20-7.
WSU would start off the fourth quarter with possession of the ball and earn another passing touchdown from Eckhaus to receiver Landon Wright for 39 yards. The Aggies would respond soon after with a 21-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jacob Conover to receiver Brady Boyd.
With 4:06 left to go in the game, the Cougars would add another touchdown with a 34-yard rushing touchdown from Junian Dugger. The Auggies would score a final touchdown with a 26-yard completion from Conover to Javen Jacobs with 1:48 left to play and the Cougars would gain possession of the ball to run out the clock and claim the 34-21 victory.
Cougars receiver Josh Meredith would earn the title of Most Valuable Player during the bowl game after making eight receptions for 84 yards.
“This means everything, it’s been five years, it’s been a long road. Every year has been something else,” said Meredith while on stage after receiving the MVP necklace. “It really just means the word, I love these boys.”
Meredith said he appreciates his team and all of the fans who traveled to watch the game. He said these relationships and the energy that they felt on that day are what they work for each week.
BOX SCORE:
WSU: 7-7-6-14: 34
USU: 0-0-7-14: 21
ARTICLES BY CALEB PEREZ
Erickson looks back on a busy and successful four-sport high school career
WARDEN — A four-sport athlete is not someone you often come across due to the time and dedication it takes for success in one sport, but for Amaya Erickson, tackling that challenge was something she was up for in her senior season. “My family’s always been really big into sports,” said Erickson. “Both my parents have played and my siblings both play, so I guess they’re all a really great inspiration for me.”
Tigers start summer 3-1 after split with Sunnyside Christian
EPHRATA — The Ephrata Tiger Baseball Club (3-1) finished their second matchup of the season as they split a doubleheader with Sunnyside Christian Tuesday evening. “I was pleased with a lot of aspects of the doubleheader,” said Tigers Head Coach David Tempel. “The summertime is all about development and getting some experience. The good part about (Tuesday) is we were in some different situations that we haven’t seen much, so we were able to learn from those and use those to our advantage.” Sunnyside was the first on the board during game one as they put up two runs in the top of the second inning. The Tigers responded at the bottom of the third as they put up five runs to claim the lead.
Fletcher named new Eagles volleyball head coach
SOAP LAKE — The Soap Lake Eagles volleyball team will be under new leadership this fall as Erin Fletcher has been selected as the new head coach. She is following the successful tenure of the previous head coach, Nikki Noble, who helped guide the team to multiple state appearances over the years. “I’m so excited,” said Fletcher. “I’ve had the opportunity to watch these girls play the last couple years as a (referee). I’m really excited to be able to step in after Coach Noble and continue on that winning and competitive spirit that they’ve had for so long and kind of take it now to the next level.” Her love for athletics came from growing up in an athletic family of basketball players, but in second grade, she became the first in her family to start playing volleyball. From there, a passion for volleyball began to grow.