Broncos chase Crusaders, 35-14

RITZVILLE - Lind-Ritzville/Sprague had a shock as its homecoming game just got underway Friday, Oct.18, when Northwest Christian (Colbert) immediately scored on the opening kickoff.

The Broncos chased after the Crusaders much of the game with the local team not getting on the scoreboard until 1:13 was left on the clock in the third quarter; the Crusaders had already racked up 35 points.

The Crusaders did not score again, but the Broncos got on the scoreboard a second time, with the Broncos falling, 35-14, at home on Jimmy Snider Field.

It was a cold night and spectators were well-wrapped in layers and several brought portable propane heaters.

"That was a pretty good football team we played against," Lind-Ritzville Head Coach Brendan Bermea said. "A couple things, like the kick return, we came up a bit short, hurt us a little bit, but I'm proud of how our guys played."

Northwest Christian (6-1) is ranked No. 7 in the state in Class 2B football.

Crusader Coach Marshall Hart praised Lind-Ritzville (3-4) for providing a tough physical game. He also praised Ritzville's Brock Tracy.

"He was incredible," Hart said. "That kid is really good."

Hart believes his team may have had an experience edge over Lind-Ritzville as his team is populated with 13 seniors.

"We just didn't bring our lunch pail to work today, unfortunately," he said.

That's despite the final numbers reported Friday night on the scoreboard.

"Ritzville is pretty good," Hart said. "So physical. That was our most physical game by far this year."

"I think tonight, out of most games this season, we were up by being willing to hit, just getting after it," Bermea said. " I'm really proud of the guys, really digging in and being a physical team that I know they can be and I'm really proud of them."

Senior Brody Boness led the ground game for the Broncos, carrying the ball 43 times for 255 yards and a touchdown. He also completed one pass for 3 yards and a touchdown.

Overall, he accounted for 71% of the Broncos' offense.

His younger brother, quarterback Cameron Boness, completed 9-of-21 passes for 60 yards and one interception. On the ground, Cameron Boness carried 4 times for minus-8 yards.

Broncos senior Zach Klein led Lind-Ritzville in receptions, catching 4 passes for 46 yards. Teammates Beau Fode caught 2 passes for 10 yards and Carson Kubik caught 3 for 6 yards and a touchdown. Brody Boness also caught 1 pass for 1 yard.

In the Broncos ground game, Klein had 3 carries for 49 yards and Cole Rouleau had 1 carry for minus-1 yard.

Overall, the Broncos had 367 yards of total offense while the Crusaders had 203.

Has Bermea noticed a progression over the season?

"We've been working on it," he said. "We've been doing a lot of things in practice to try to get it out of them more. If we're not physical enough, I feel it's my fault, so we adjust what we're doing in practice to give our guys more of an opportunity to become physical. I'm very proud of them and what they've done."

The teams each have two regular season games left before playoffs start.

"We host Colville (4-3) and then we host Asotin at Week 9," Hart said of his Crusaders' schedule.

Asotin (7-0) is currently ranked No. 3 in the state after a 27-7 victory over the Jenkins (Chewelah) Cougars (3-4) last Friday.

This Friday, the Broncos head to Asotin to take on the undefeated Panthers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.