SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint Bulldogs took a break from their cardiac ways on Friday night, thumping the Bonners Ferry Badgers 41-14 in a 5A/4A matchup at War Memorial Field. 

The Bulldogs imposed their will upfront for a majority of the contest, shutting down the Badgers’ offense and running all over their defense. Sandpoint’s starting running backs Jensen Sheetz and Trenton Cross combined for over 150 yards and three touchdowns on the night. 

"Being an offensive line guy, I was kind of having an identity crisis with how much we were throwing the ball, but you want to take what the defense gives you,” Sandpoint offensive coordinator George Yarno, who acted as head coach against Bonners Ferry, said. “We basically got thunder and lightning with Sheetz and Cross, and they’re both running really well.” 

However, it wasn’t the Bulldog running game that got the party started. Senior quarterback Logan Iverson completed his first two passes for 45 yards. The second completion found the hands of senior wide receiver Brock Yarbrough for his lone touchdown of the night. Iverson posted 115 yards and closed his night with a second touchdown to senior wideout Kelton Vasile. 

Yarno said the Sandpoint defense played lights out, and the assessment wasn’t wrong. The dominant display held the Badgers to just three first downs and zero points through the first three quarters. 

After Iverson’s second touchdown, which extended Sandpoint’s lead to 41-0, the Bulldogs coaching staff opted to play many of their second-team players. Yarno said his backups will need more preparation for those moments, and that championship teams need that reliable depth. 

"A class act by the coaching staff over there. They probably could have held us to zero and scored another 40 if they wanted, but very classy,” Bonners Ferry head coach Danny Swift said.  

Swift said he used the opportunity to get some of his younger players playing time as well. Sophomore running back Max Thompson made the most of his opportunity, snapping the shutout on a 54-yard touchdown run. 

"Some of those guys really take advantage of those reps, Max had a couple of great runs there,” Swift said. “Mark Elliston III played some great defense when he was called on. We’re really proud of all the guys on our team and whoever’s name is called can step up and make a play.” 

The Badgers defense stood tall late and forced a turnover on downs, which allowed their offense engine to finally cash in. Bonners Ferry quarterback Alex Stolley battled throughout the game as the Badgers depended on his quarterback draws to gain yards in the first half. Stolley cashed in with an 11-yard rushing touchdown late to cap off a 59-yard day. 

Swift said he was proud of how his team battled and kept their cool throughout the game. 

“That’s a hard game,” Swift said. “We told them at halftime the goal in this game is to try new things, to find out what it takes when you’re outclassed. We’re going to play teams that are better than us at positions, and we got to learn how to hold our own in those battles.” 

Badgers’ junior running back Tyson Dickson stayed down after defending a punt return, in a scary moment. Swift said Dickson was doing okay and talking with his teammates during the game, though he will miss some time moving forward. 

With the loss, the Badgers fall to 3-1 and will look to get back in the win column next Friday when they host Fruitland. 

"A game will never define them,” Swift said he told the team after the loss. “They’re going to wake up tomorrow, they’ll be a little sore, but they’re going to wake up the same way they woke up today: as great human beings.” 

For Sandpoint, this was another meaningful win as, not only did it move them to 4-0, but they did it without their head coach Ryan Knowles on the sideline. Knowles was attending the University of Idaho’s Athletic Hall of Fame induction, where his late wife, Megan Knowles, was slated to speak and be inducted for her prowess as a Vandal soccer player. 

"Coach Knowles, we love you. We miss you, and we went out and got one for you, buddy,” Yarno said. 

Sandpoint will have Knowles back for a massive showdown with 6A powerhouse Coeur d’Alene next Friday at War Memorial Field at 7 p.m. 

Sandpoint 14 13 14 0 41 

Bonners Ferry 0 0 0 14 14 

1st quarter 

SPT — Brock Yarbrough 21-yard pass from Logan Iverson (PAT good), 7:21. 

SPT — Jensen Sheetz 2-yard run (PAT good), 4:12. 

2nd quarter 

SPT — Sheetz 20-yard run (PAT good), 10:35. 

SPT — Yarbrough 35-yard field goal, 8:07. 

SPT — Gage Martin 36-yard field goal, 3:06. 

3rd quarter 

SPT — Trenton Cross 41-yard run, 8:44. 

SPT — Kelton Vasile 7-yard pass from Iverson (PAT good), 3:28. 

4th quarter 

BFB — Max Thompson 51-yard run, 9:10. 

BFB — Alex Stolley 11-yard run, 3:18.