KELLOGG — Senior Alex Stolley led the way for Bonners Ferry High on both sides of the ball in their season opening, non-conference victory over Kellogg, 28-6, on Friday. 

Despite the final scoreline being heavily tilted in the Badgers’ favor, Bonners Ferry head coach Danny Swift said the team was undisciplined, and that will be the top teaching point for next week. Swift said the Badgers had several touchdowns called back because of penalties. 

"It goes down as one of the ugliest games as far as we’ve got to be more disciplined,” Swift said. “That’s on me; I’ve got to do a better job with coaching that up, and we’ll continue to work on that.” 

The Badgers were slow to get going, leading 6-0 at halftime, but found their offensive footing in the second half. Stolley, Bonners Ferry’s starting quarterback, got most of his work done on the ground, carrying the ball 12 times to the tune of 165 yards and a touchdown. 

Bonners Ferry posted an impressive 466 total yards of total offense with junior Tyson Dickson stepping up in the run game. Dickson was the only other Badger to cross the century mark, totaling 118 yards on 16 carries. Junior Chace Winkelseth and senior Jake Solt added a touchdown on the ground. 

Stolley was a meager 5/11 passing for 44 yards and a touchdown to senior wide receiver Cooper Higgins. The senior wideout caught three of Stolley’s five completions for 37 yards and the score. 

"On offense, we moved the ball really well,” Swift said. “But we would move the ball forward 20 yards and back 30 [yards], and that is a huge setback.” 

Swift lauded his defense’s performance, which neutralized the Wildcats’ offense for a majority of the game. Junior Grad Atkins led the team with four tackles, while Riston Allred and Stolley brought down an interception each. Higgins and Dickson also had three tackles on defense. 

"Our defense played incredibly well,” Swift said. “Riston had three solo tackles and played big for us at the corner and safety spot.” 

The Bonners Ferry head coach said he believes that mental toughness comes from physical toughness, and he’ll work with his team to build their conditioning before their next game. Swift added that he believes the team will play better with a game under their belt. 

“We’ll learn from it, we’ll grow from it and we’ll go to work on Priest River for next week,” Swift said. “They’ll be extremely tough.” 

The Badgers will host the reigning 3A Central Idaho champion Priest River Spartans in their home opener next Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.