Broncos topple Kettle Falls, 40-19

After a moment or two of homecoming-related distractions, the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos settled down to business and won their fifth straight of the season with a 40-19 effort over Kettle Falls.

The Broncos gave up an opening kickoff touchdown return but quickly answered with several players finding their way into the end zone.

Connor O’Neill opened the Broncos scoring efforts with a 36-yard jaunt. Salvador Huitron provided the point after kick.

That set the wheels in motion and the Broncos scored five unanswered touchdowns.

Ryan Whitmore would be the second of six Broncos to score in the game, taking a 30-yard pass from Dylan Hartz across the goal line. Huitron provided the point after.

Matt Fryberger scored next on a nine-yard Hartz pass. The point after kick was blocked.

Chris Steinmetz returned to action after sitting out with a leg injury. He scored next on a six-yard run. Huitron delivered the point after kick.

Steinmetz played a portion of the game before head coach Greg Whitmore pulled him so he could rest up for this week’s colossal battle with undefeated Colfax.

Drew Wilke made a big first impression for the team, scoring on a 56-yard run in the third quarter. Huitron made good on the point after attempt.

The final score of the night for the Broncos came when Jake Dewald took a Hartz pass and rambled 82 yards for the score. Huitron was rock solid delivering another point after.

Coach Whitmore praised Dewald for taking a 30-yard pass and making it an 80-plus-yard scoring effort.

Hartz was near perfect from quarterback, completing 9 of 11 passes for 177 yards and three TDs.

O’Neill led the ground game with 109 yards rushing on 13 carries. Steinmetz provided 78 yards on 11 carries.

Wilke had 56 yards on four carries and Hartz covered 34 yards on seven runs.

Dewald tallied 83 receiving yards on two pass plays. O’Neill caught three passes for 39 yards.

“A lot of kids shared the scoring and the glory and the offensive line did great,” Whitmore said.

Defensively Keanu Niezwaag led the team with 24 tackle points, including one solo tackle, seven first hits, three assists and one tackle for a loss.

Next week the Broncos will need to continue to step up their game against the league powerhouse Colfax. Whitmore said the Bulldogs have five really good running plays and five top pass plays, disguised by 15 different offensive sets and motions.

“The kids really have to be in the classroom this week,” he said. “We have to make sure we don’t go down there in awe of them. On the road, we are probably the underdog but I don’t mind that. This year there is a little more of a level playing field.”