LRS Broncos suffer overtime loss to Northwest Christian

The Friday night lights shone bright in Ritzville on Sept. 15 as the Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos hosted the Northwest Christian Crusaders.

A nail-biter of a league game, the two teams remained locked in battle and pushed the competition into overtime, where the Broncos eventually fell 24-18.

The Broncos began the game with strength and determination, driving the kickoff return down the field and racking up yardage.

After making steady progress down field, Mason Brausen posted the team’s first points of the game on a two-yard touchdown.

The conversion attempt fell short and the Broncos turned to their defense to hold onto the early lead. Head Coach Greg Whitmore said the team was focused on containing Silas Perreiah, Northwest Christian’s leading scorer and running back.

The Broncos defensive line held the Crusaders at bay, as they made slow progress down the field. Both teams struggled with turnovers and penalties throughout the game, resulting in even a closer match up of the two teams.

The Crusaders tied the game halfway through the second quarter, when they ran for 54 yards off of a pass play and missed the point after kick.

With a chance to move ahead in the game, the Broncos made steady effort down field before turning the ball over on downs.

Unwarranted turnovers also began to become a factor for both teams, but the Crusaders managed to overcome their setbacks and post another six points less than two minutes before halftime. The Broncos trailed by a single touchdown, and Whitmore said the team used the halftime break to regroup and evaluate the changes needed to be made.

In a back and forth battle on the field, both teams remained scoreless and struggled to convert first downs without turnovers.

The Broncos found a hole in the Crusaders defense with four minutes remaining in the game and tied the game at 12.

Brausen again led the drive for the Broncos, running 46 yards for the team’s touchdown. The two point conversion was again unsuccessful, and the team returned to defense in an effort to contain their competitors.

Entering the fourth quarter, Whitmore said the team knew they had an opportunity to earn the lead and eventually the win if they remained focused and reduced errors. The Broncos were playing for more than a win, but also for redemption about the Crusaders defeated them 63-7 last season.

Northwest Christian posted the next points of the game with just under seven minutes remaining in the game. The Broncos remained focused on putting points on the board, and drove down field to tie the game for a final time.

Bryce Kelly connected with Camden Smith on a seven-yard pass play to earn the Broncos their last touchdown. With a chance to take the lead with only two minutes left in the game, the Broncos’ two-point conversion attempt fell short and the two teams remained locked in battle.

The Broncos defense held the Crusaders and forced them to turn the ball over on downs, giving the Broncos one last shot at the end zone. In the final drive, the team faced penalties and setbacks, but barely came up short of converting the offensive run for points.

The tie game moved the teams into overtime, with Northwest Christian having the ball first for an attempt to score. Whitmore said miscommunication and athletes setting up out of alignment allowed for an anti-climactic score for the Crusaders on the first play of overtime.

The Broncos had the same opportunity to convert, but their efforts again fell short and the Crusaders walked away with the win.

Whitmore said the team, especially the seniors, were upset with how the game ended, as there are not a lot of chances to upset a good team.

Though it was a great game to watch and coach, Whitmore said, the Broncos again fell short of victory because of turnovers. Fumbles continue to plague the team, and turnovers or penalties seem to occur during big places for the team.

The battle on Friday was a game of momentum and opportunities, Whitmore said, the Crusaders were able to use both of those to their best of their ability.

The Broncos had an opportunity to win and take command of the game, but a turnover prevented the drive from resulting in points, and breathed life into the Crusaders team, Whitmore added.

The Broncos ended the evening with 356 total offensive yards, leading both teams in rushing yards with 207.

The LRS team recorded four turnovers during the game, and had three fumbles, all of which were lost to the Crusaders.

Kelly had a consistent game for the Broncos with 20 completions on 29 passing attempts. He ended the night with 149 total passing yards. Brausen recorded his second consecutive game of over 100 rushing yards for the Broncos, and had 151 yards for the night.

Smith led the Broncos in receiving yards with 49, followed closely by Brausen with 44.

The Broncos move on to face the Colfax Bulldogs on Sept. 22 and Whitmore said the team will need to be prepared for a tough competition. The Bulldogs have a good nucleus of athletes returning to the gridiron this season, Whitmore said, and they are a physical team who tackles well.

The keys to success will be maintaining the gap and focusing on discipline, Whitmore stated. The Broncos will have to cut out turnovers, as they have played a large role in the team’s losses.

The Broncos plan to have a balanced offensive attack, but the key will be the team’s defense. Whitmore said Colfax likes to keep the defense guessing and mix up plays, so the team will need to remain vigilant and focused on the task at hand.

Whitmore is also hopeful the team will benefit from having athletes returning to the field following injuries.

Morgan Brausen and Spencer Gering are both anticipated to play in this week’s game, and Bryce Esser, who suffered a back injury in the third quarter of the Northwest Christian match up, is also expected to return for the Broncos.

The Bulldogs and the Broncos are set to face off at 7 p.m. at Jimmie Snider Field.