Broncos steam roll Davenport, 42-8

The Broncos continue to turn in stellar performances on the gridiron, gaining huge advantages on the scoreboard in the first half and then maintaining big leads with junior varsity players in Northeast 2B League play.

Friday’s home contest with rival Davenport was a repeat of recent weeks. The Broncos scored 42 unanswered points in the first half, forced a running clock in the second half and then maintained their win with their reserves on the field. Davenport scored just once and that touchdown came in the fourth quarter.

The Broncos’ starting offense has proved potent against league opponents and the defense is stifling, swarming to the ball and getting in the face of the opposing team’s defense.

As a result, the defending State 2B Champions are being watched by the media and other teams from around the state.

The Associated Press high school football rankings have the Broncos ranked second overall in the week No. 7 polls, trailing just one team, Morton-White Pass. The Broncos defeated Morton-White Pass in dramatic fashion during last year’s state championship game and the two teams appear poised for a second meeting in the Tacoma Dome.

Head coach Greg Whitmore is aware of the attention the team has received and knows where Morton-White Pass is on the radar. He also knows there are several strong football teams lurking out there, ready and willing to challenge the state’s top two 2B teams. In the AP rankings, LaConner comes it at No. 3, followed by Napavine and Waitsburg-Prescott respectively.

The usual stars led the Broncos’ offense on Friday. Connor O’Neill launched the scoring with a two-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The extra point kick missed as LRS started the night with a 6-0 lead.

Cort Ruzicka rambled into the end zone next on a 27-yard pass play from Dylan Hartz. The Broncos moved out to a 14-0 lead when O’Neill carried the football across the goal line for a two-point conversion.

O’Neill put on a display of his speed and agility on a 92-yard pass play from Hartz. O’Neill shed Davenport tacklers and sprinted down the sidelines for a score. Matt Leffel’s extra point kick was good as the Broncos took a 21-0 lead.

The fourth touchdown of the first quarter came when the defense took over and Jacob Saetre snared an interception and ran it back 31 yards for a score. Leffel’s extra point kick was good for a 28-0 lead.

The Broncos would score twice in the second quarter. The first came on a 27-yard run by O’Neill. Leffel’s kick was good.

Bridger Smith made his way into the scoring summary on a seven-yard touchdown run. Leffel’s kick made it 42-0.

For the game, Hartz was 3 for 6 passing for 142 yards and two touchdowns. Saetre added 32 yards of passing, completing two of three attempts.

O’Neill’s 73 yards on five carries with two rushing touchdowns led the rushing statistics. Andrew Witt contributed 41 yards on 11 carries. Smith finished with 28 yards on three carries and a score. Hartz had 24 yards on two runs.

As a team the Broncos generated 339 yards of offense.

The receivers were led by O’Neill who had 124 yards on three catches with one touchdown. Ryan Whitmore grabbed one pass for 23 yards. Ruzicka had 27 yards on one reception with a touchdown.

The defense turned in an impressive bit of work, allowing just 161 yards of total offense. The Broncos also picked off Davenport quarterback Nolan Lilje twice.

“The defense played outstanding, especially our defensive front. I’d hate to play quarterback against us,” Whitmore said. “We don’t make it easy against teams that want to throw and we’re stout against the run. I’ve never seen anyone win a championship without a good stout defense.”

Middle linebacker Colin Sheffels led the attack with three solo tackles, four first hits, three assists and one tackle for a loss. Jarradd Morley was a monster off the line, recording two first hits, four assists one tackle for a loss and a sack. Ryan Whitmore finished with two first hits, one assist, one tackle for a loss and a sack. Logan Morley had three solo tackles, one first hit and three assists.

This week will be senior night and the final regular season home game as the Broncos welcome the Colfax Bulldogs. The Bulldogs come in undefeated in league, sporting a new offense and a desire to spoil the Broncos’ unblemished record.

The Bulldogs adopted the pistol offense this season, following the Broncos, who added the new look a few years ago. Early in the year Colfax struggled with its new plan of attack. Whitmore said the Bulldogs have settled in and are beginning to make things happen on offense.

In preparation for what could be the toughest league outing of the season, Whitmore said his defense will need to take away the top two or three plays the Bulldogs are using on offense.

Whitmore believes the Broncos will prevail if they remember to utilize their speed.

“Our team speed is really our strength,” he said. “We are constantly reminding our kids and ourselves the play fast.”