PRIEST RIVER — The first time Priest River senior running back Colton Kuprienko touched the ball against the Kellogg Wildcats, he scored. Then the second time, he scored. The same rang true for the third time on Friday. 

By the time most of the first half was through, Kuprienko was celebrating his senior night to the tune of three touchdowns. However, he wasn’t satisfied and asked head coach Alex Zepeda if he’d be getting the ball one more time. 

Once Zepeda confirmed he’d get one more touch, Kuprienko had a message for his coach. 

“He said, ‘I’m going to give you everything I got,’” Zepeda recalled. 

Kuprienko wasn’t lying. On his fourth touch, the Spartans’ All-League back took the ball off the right side of the line before he added one cut to the left and accelerated past Kellogg for his fourth touchdown on his fourth touch of the night. 

Priest River’s starting running back finished with 122 rushing yards and three touchdowns along with 30 receiving yards and a touchdown as the Spartans cruised to a 61-0 victory over Kellogg on Friday. 

“He’s always been an explosive player, but I would say this year he’s just matured so much. I’m really proud of him,” Zepeda said of Kuprienko. “That last carry you saw him running, and he was determined to score, super proud of him. Not just him there’s Kane Berns, Nate Fegert. They’ve been playing together since they were little kids.” 

Kuprienko, Berns, Fegert, Haiden Leach, Dayton Wheeler and Donovan Baldwin celebrated their final game at Spartan Stadium in the victory over Kellogg. Aside from Kuprienko's monumental effort, Berns added a 56-yard punt return touchdown to the scoring as Priest River improved to 5-1 and 3-0 in Central Idaho League play. 

Wheeler posted two pancake blocks and a sack, while Baldwin had one pancake block. Leach starred on defense, adding another sack and an assisted tackle for loss as defensive coordinator Brandon Goins’ unit shut out their opponents for the second straight week. 

“They’re a super mentally tough team and a group of kids that I almost don’t have to talk to,” Zepeda said of his seniors. “They know when it comes time to play football, they’re ready regardless of the situation.” 

The Spartans’ starting quarterback Jacob Best added a rushing touchdown to a very solid day throwing the ball. Best finished 5-10 for 144 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Fellow junior Madden Redinger caught the other touchdown pass after he made a tough catch and then scooted 47 yards to the end zone. 

Priest River has now outscored opponents 133-0 in the last two weeks and now sits with a +180-point differential. Zepeda said his team isn’t worried about making statements. 

“We’re going to be a tough team come playoff time, and I don’t think we have to say that. I think teams know that,” Zepeda said. “They’re a lot to prepare for, whether they’re on offense or defense. I’m excited to see what the end of the season looks like.” 

Priest River is on the road for their second-to-last game of the year next week as they travel to St. Maries for another Central Idaho League contest. The Spartans will play the 1-5 Lumberjacks on Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. 

Priest River 30 24 0 7 — 61 

Kellogg 0 0 0 0 — 0 

1st quarter 

PRL — Colton Kuprienko 45-yard rush (conversion successful), 9:13. 

PRL — Madden Redinger 47-yard pass from Jacob Best (conversions successful), 6:32. 

PRL — Kuprienko 21-yard rush (conversion successful), 6:15. 

PRL — Kane Berns 57-yard punt return (conversion successful), 3:27. 

2nd quarter 

PRL — Best 1-yard rush (conversion successful), 7:19. 

PRL — Kuprienko 30-yard pass from Best (conversions successful), 6:19. 

PRL — Kuprienko 53-yard rush (conversion unsuccessful), 2:44. 

3rd quarter 

None. 

4th quarter 

PRL — Cayden Martin 15-yard pass from Sean McMahon (Fegert kick good), 7:01.