Priest River wins homecoming game 48-15

PRIEST RIVER – The Priest River Spartans football team solidly beat Orofino 48-15 in the Spartans homecoming game Friday.

It started big with Colton Kuprienko returning the opening kickoff 86 yards for a Priest River touchdown. Kuprienko was back in the end zone before the quarter finished, this time on an 18-yard run. Sawyer Staudt, the Spartans’ star rusher, broke a 70-yarder for a score, also in the first quarter. That’s after running in the twopoint after attempts following Kuprienko’s TDs. Priest River was up 28-0 at the end of the quarter.

Orofino scored in the second quarter on a five-yard pass play.

Staudt didn’t let that go unanswered. He scored on another big run, this one a 30-yarder.

Staudt broke another big run in the fourth quarter, a 63-yard romp. Staudt ended up with 265 yards on 15 carries.

Kuprienko also had big plays. In addition to the 86-yard kickoff return, he scored in the fourth quarter on an 89-yard pass play from quarterback Lucas Matthews, the only Spartan pass completion of the game. Kuprienko ended up carrying the ball from scrimmage just three times, for 19 yards. Matthews threw four times, completing the one pass for a TD. He also rushed four times for 10 yards. Nate Ferget carried three times for 46 yards.

The Spartans also played a good defensive game.

Ferget recovered a fumble, as did Gavin Griesemer. Priest River tacklers were in Orofino’s backfield.

Niki Porinchok had two tackles for losses, Brady Hatten had three tackles for losses and a sack.

Priest River next goes to St. Maries for a game Friday, Oct. 18.