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PRIEST RIVER – The Priest River Spartans football team got a big 43-0 home win over Kettle Falls Friday night, the Spartans’ first win of the season.
“We were able to spread the ball around effectively, making the defense cover the entire field,” Priest River coach Ale Zepeda says. Quarterback Lucas Mathews had a standout performance, he says.
“I place a lot of responsibility on him within our offense, and I have high expectations for my QB,” Zepeda says. “To see him starting to bring it all together and play at such a high level is incredibly rewarding.”
Matthews completed 12 of 18 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns. He hit Ian Lamanna for two TDs, on passes of 51 and eight yards. Lamanna ended up with 135 yards in receptions. Colton Kuprienko, a sophomore, caught the other TD pass, a three yarder, his only catch on the night.
Sawyer Staudt continues to be a rushing force for the Spartans. He scored three touchdowns on runs of two, two and 34 yards. He gained 55 yards rushing. Kuprienko was the Spartans’ leading rusher, with 65 yards on three carries.
Staudt also caught an 18-yard pass. Skylar Simcox caught one pass for 25 yards, Layton Goins caught one for 12 yards and Lucas Simcox caught one for 14 yards.
While Priest River had a good offensive game, it was on defense that they shined, with interceptions, pass blocks and tackles for losses.
Nate Fegert was a presence on defense for Priest River. He had three tackles for a loss among his nine tackles. Senior Skyler Simcox also got nine tackles and blocked a pass. Goins, who had six tackles, picked off a Kettle Falls pass, as did Kane Berns, who had two tackles.
Niki Porinchok got five tackles, a sack and a pass breakup. Gunnar Eversole had four tackles and a forced fumble.
Priest River next plays at Medical Lake Friday, Sept. 27. The game starts at 7 p.m.
