By Ken Graham
The Times
WP Gridders Succumb to Maniacs
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September 26, 2013
WP Quarterback Owen Lanning has strong blocking as he unleashes a pass downfield during Friday's game at Orofino.
OROFIO, Ida. - "First of all, this was a quality team we played," WP football coach Jeff Bartlow said of the Orofino Maniacs, after his Cardinals suffered a tough 50-20 loss Friday night on the road in Idaho.
Bartlow said the coaching staff tried to prepare their team by showing film of the Orofino squad. "Our kids realized it, but did not maybe believe it until the game started and they saw how athletic they were," Bartlow said. "They flew around on defense and made plays."
After the Maniacs took a 12-0 lead in the first quarter, the teams played evenly in the second. A dropped touchdown pass in the end zone cost WP a chance to make the game close at the half.
"I was happy with our first half defense for the most part," Bartlow said. "We got some quality stops, forced one fumble and kept it close enough to win."
The Maniacs blew the game open in the third quarter, however, scoring 29 points to WP's 14. Mistakes cost the cardinals dearly, as Orofino ran a pass interception back for a touchdown and blocked a punt to set up another score.
The Cardinals were able to set off some offensive fireworks in the third, however. First, wide receiver Devin Acevedo scored on an 84 yard catch and run. Later in the quarter, James Thompkins outran the Maniac defense with an 82 run for a touchdown. Antonio Benito successfully kicked both extra points.
Thompkins scored again in the fourth quarter with a 14 yard run, but by then the game was out of hand.
"We learned a lot about ourselves," Bartlow said. "The turnovers hurt us, as usual. But, I will give the Orofino team some credit. They were physical and a rugged bunch of guys."
For the game, Devin Acevedo caught six passes for 135 yards and a TD, and James Thompkins had five rushes for 98 yards and two TD's. On defense, Mike Grant was in on 17 tackles and Chance Leroue 13.
Quarterback Owen Lanning was 15 for 27 passing, for 174 yards and one TD. But he suffered three interceptions. As a team WP rushed for 126 yards on 20 carries, but gave up 323 yards rushing on 45 Maniac carries. Orofino also had 234 yards passing.
One other important statistic: Orofino never punted.
WP has a bye this weekend and then plays at DeSales on October 4.
In junior varsity action Monday night WP's JV team beat Mac Hi JV 36-14. The WP JV team is now 3-0.
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