Spartans on a roll, win third straight

PRIEST RIVER – The Priest River Spartans’ football team got their third consecutive win, a 34-27 win over Colfax last Friday at Priest River.

The Spartans did it in record breaking fashion, forcing six turnovers, a school record. Sawyer Staudt gained 193 yards and four touchdowns on 31 carries. That tied for a school record for most touchdowns and most carries.

Priest River High head coach Alex Zepeda told the Bonner County Daily Bee that the defense played well.

“It was a hard-fought win, and our defense was outstanding,” Zepeda says in the Bee story. “Layton Goins came up big with a pick-six — he’s just a freshman, but he always seems to deliver when we need it most.”

Goins picked off a pass and ran it back 47 yards for a touchdown. Kane Berns, Ian Lamanna and Jacob Best all had interceptions. Luccas Simcox picked off two Colfax passes.

Goins also led the team in tackles, with seven. Nate Fergert had three tackles and a sack. Niki Porinchok had four tackles, forcing a fumble and tackling one for a loss.

On offense, in addition to Staudt’s stellar performance rushing, quarterback Lucas Mathews threw for 54 yards, completing half his passes, five of 10. Lamanna caught four of those for 47 yards. Skylar Simcox caught the other pass for seven yards.

Fergert gained 50 yards rushing on nine carries. Mathews ran three times for 31 yards. Goins rushed twice for four yards and Colton Kuprienko rushed once for two yards.

Priest River next takes on Orofino for homecoming Friday at 7 p.m.