Broncos to meet DeSales in first state playoff

Northeast 2B district Champions, the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos have moved into the WIAA 2B state championship bracket. The Broncos’ first playoff test comes Friday night at home at 7 p.m. when they host the DeSales Irish of Walla Walla.

The defending state champions have won 22 straight. They have manhandled their opponents, showed class by working to avoid running up scores for no reason and learned a few unexpected lessons along the way.

Last Friday, the Broncos met Northwest Christian for the second time this season in what was technically the Districts 7/9 Crossover Playoff. Dayton, the intended opponent, forfeited. As a result the leagues decided to bring NWC in as the Broncos wanted a crossover game rather than sitting idle until this week.

When the game was over, the Broncos did exactly what everyone expected. They won big, 67-28, and generated 652 yards of offense. The win didn’t come with out a bit of a shock.

Northwest Christian did something no one else has done this season. They scored first and it was in the first quarter.

“It was a learning experience,” said head coach Greg Whitmore. “We weren’t very focused. We weren’t in playoff mode. We had poor kick off coverage, then gave up a big play. Our boys were shell shocked.”

With the first possession on offense, Northwest Christian surprised the Broncos by marching into the end zone in just a couple of plays.

The Broncos woke up quickly and from that moment on took control of the game. The varsity starters went to work and racked up 27 unanswered points in the remainder of the first quarter. They added another 27 points in the second quarter. By half time the LRS starters were lining the sidelines, cheering for their younger teammates, as they had several times this year.

“It was a good slap in the face,” Whitmore said of NWC’s opening score. “Our boys were upset by it, and hopefully learned a little bit from it.”

Even with a 54-7 lead at the half, the Broncos’ locker room session wasn’t about celebrating. The coaches let the team know that the playoffs are serious business and early game breakdowns can be costly.

“We didn’t care what the score was,” Whitmore said. “Stuff like that has to not sit well in our kids’ craw. We are always looking for teachable moments.”

Overall, Whitmore liked the team’s effort. He also noted NWC left feeling good about themselves at the conclusion of its first football season.

“They have improved,” Whitmore said. “They can say they scored 28 points against the defending state champion, and their coaches will use that.”

The scoring was prolific in the first half and used several players.

Cort Ruzicka was the first to cross the goal line on a 28-yard pass from Dylan Hartz. Matt Leffel’s kick was good to tie the game at 7-7.

Ryan Whitmore was the next one to enter the scoring column on an eight-yard TD reception. Leffel’s kick was good for a 14-7 edge.

Jacob Saetre took the next Hartz pass for 10 yards and a score. Leffel’s kick missed as the Broncos moved out in front, 20-7.

Whitmore scored again, this time on an impressive 45-yard pass play. Leffel’s kick was off the mark, but the Broncos first quarter lead grew to 26-7.

In the second quarter Bridger Smith got in on the act, taking a Hartz pass 32 yards for a score. Leffel’s kick was good as the lead expanded to 33-7.

Logan Morley had his time in the spotlight Friday when he grabbed an NWC punt, fell in behind some key blocks and scrambled 56 yards for a touchdown. Leffel’s kick was good, making the game 40-7.

Saetre scored his second TD of the game on an 18-yard run. The kick missed as the Broncos’ lead jumped to 47-7.

Andrew Witt provided the final score of the first half on a five-yard run. Leffel’s kick was good, giving the Broncos an intermission lead of 54-7.

Damien Rouleau put his name in lights Friday. He led the Broncos in rushing with 170 yards on six carries, including a third quarter jaunt for 65 yards and a touchdown. The point after by Leffel was good and the Broncos took a commanding 61-7 lead.

The Crusaders would score twice in the third quarter on runs of 13 and 31 yards. They scored once more in the fourth quarter on a 55-yard burst.

The Broncos posted the nightcap with a 45-yard touchdown run from Witt. The kick missed, but the Broncos claimed the 67-28 win.

“We were a little more balanced last Friday and had wanted to work on passing,” Whitmore said.

Hartz delivered as quarterback. He completed 12 of 15 attempts for 239 yards passing and five TDs with no interceptions. So far this year he has 20 touchdown passes and just three interceptions.

The head coach had high praise for Ryan Whitmore, who has five touchdown receptions in the past two games.

“He is having an unbelievable season catching the ball,” Whitmore said. “He is a tough match up.”

Ryan collected four passes for 79 yards and a pair of TDs this week.

On defense, Ryan is a tall, ominous threat to quarterbacks. He picked up two fumble recoveries during the game.

Morley was another stand out Friday. He collected two interceptions while playing cornerback for the injured Connor O’Neill.

“Logan (Morley) had an awesome game,” Whitmore said.

Another top performer in the stats was Saetre. He ran the ball six times for 119 yards and a score. He generated another 86 yards of offense and a touchdown on four catches. On defense, Saetre’s efforts included picking off an NWC pass.

Other rushing efforts Friday included Witt’s 100-yard workout and two touchdowns on nine carries. On defense, Witt grabbed a fumble recovery.

Hartz ran out of the pocket once for 14 yards.

Smith finished with a pair of catches for 45 yards and a score. Ruzicka had one catch for 28 yards and a TD.

DeSales visits Friday

When the Irish roll into Ritzville this Friday, the Broncos expect an aerial assault.

The Irish like to throw the football and have the ability to go deep. Their quarterback is big and strong at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds.

The Irish finished the regular season in a four-way tie for first place. Based on their season performance, they were given the No. 2 seed. They have a 6-3 record and were 3-1 in district play.

Last Friday they battled Davenport, in a game that went all the way into triple overtime before the Irish mustered a 42-41 win.

“We know Davenport can be tough to stop,” Whitmore said. “DeSales was not ready for their misdirection and got caught off guard. In the end, I think the best team won.”

The Broncos’ aggressive defense will need to be relentless in its pursuit of the quarterback in order to keep DeSales contained.

Whitmore said DeSales suffered some early season injuries, but appears to be coming in with all of its personnel active.

“They are well coached with a long tradition of winning,” Whitmore said. “They will be hungry after we beat them out in the playoffs last year. They might be peaking and might be the best team from down there.”

The Broncos defeated DeSales last year, 21-14, in a quarterfinal contest.