SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint High Bulldogs found themselves down two points in the final minute to the Kuna High Kavemen on Friday night. 

The Bulldogs were fresh off an offensive drive that ended in a turnover on downs and facing another fourth down in the red zone. Sandpoint head coach Ryan Knowles said there was no doubt in his mind what the play call was going to be. 

“I told Coach Yarno, I said, you know, on third down I said, ‘We can kick this,’” Knowles said.  

Sandpoint did indeed trot out their field goal team, putting the team’s pressure on senior kicker, linebacker and wide receiver Brock Yarbrough to give them their first lead of the game. Yarbrough delivered from 31 yards out to give Sandpoint a 15-14 victory over Kuna and moved them to 2-0 on the season. 

“We were all fine with trotting the field goal team out there and kicking it, and then playing that victory defense, which did a nice job, too,” Knowles said. “Field goals are hard. So, for Brock to be able to make that, it's pretty amazing.” 

Sandpoint’s star not only kicked the game-winning field goal but also punched in a score from 6 yards early in the fourth quarter to give the Bulldogs a chance in the game. 

While Sandpoint ultimately emerged victorious, they were held scoreless in the first half. Kuna took advantage, jumping out to a 14-point lead thanks to a 20-yard run from Kale Plummer and a 10-yard run from Lino Senio.  

Knowles said his team spent much of the first half adapting to the long trip, around an eight-hour drive, and spotted the Kavemen those early points. 

“It took us all the way till the locker room, and even then some, to really get going, which we did,” Knowles said. “We were struggling to get first downs for three quarters, and then it felt like we were just going and moving.” 

While not exactly the stellar night he had in week one, the game in Kuna was another solid outing for senior quarterback Logan Iverson, who threw for 175 yards on 15-24 passing. On the ground, Sandpoint’s senior running back Jensen Sheetz toted the ball 16 times for 57 yards and a touchdown. 

Knowles said he was very impressed with the gains that the 6A Southern Idaho team, Kuna, had made in the trenches.  

"I thought very highly of their defensive front,” Knowles said. "They did a good job of giving us some fits up front with the run game.” 

While Knowles’ defense came out slow, they looked like themselves in the second half. The Bulldogs shut out the Kavemen and came away with several timely takeaways to keep themselves in it.  

Late in the fourth quarter, following Sandpoint’s turnover on downs, the Bulldog defense forced a fumble on the ensuing play to set up Yarbrough’s game-winning field goal. Jack Schriber also grabbed an interception for the second straight game this year. 

“Clayton Ernst played really well,” Knows said. "A lot of turnovers defensively, which made a huge difference for us, obviously. Turnovers are critical.” 

Before the game, Kuna held a moment of silence for Knowles, who lost his wife, Megan Knowles, before the season. The Bulldogs’ head coach expressed his gratitude for the Kuna program and head coach Josh Bravo for that moment and the quality game  

“I want to thank Coach Bravo for being a class act and having a moment of silence for my wife before the game,” Knowles said. “I just think the world of that and their whole program. I wish them the best; they play hard. That's a great road win and a 6A team in District Three. So, really, really happy.” 

With the victory, Sandpoint moved to 2-0. They’ll look to defend their undefeated record against Post Falls in the Trojans’ house on Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. 

Kuna 7 7 0 0 14 

Sandpoint 0 0 6 9 15 

1st quarter  

KHS — Kale Plummer 20-yard run (Lucas Cutforth kick),  

2nd quarter 

KHS — Lino Senio 10-yard run (Cutforth kick), 

3rd quarter 

SPT — Jensen Sheetz 2-yard run (conversion failed), 

4th quarter 

SPT — Brock Yarbrough 6-yard run (conversion failed), 

SPT — Yarbrough 31-yard field goal, 0:57