Broncos football pick up Homecoming win

The Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos football team fought off the weather, the special occasion and the opposing Manson Trojans on Oct. 25 to pick up its second win of the season on Homecoming.

The Broncos took a 25-13 lead in the first minute of the fourth quarter and then cemented a victory with two defensive stands in the game's closing moments to secure a 25-21 victory to improve to 2-6 overall on the season.

"I was proud of the kids for hanging on, and the seniors get a coveted home-field win, and maybe more importantly a Homecoming win" said LRS head coach Greg Whitmore.

LRS was led by senior running back Austin Thompson on offense. Thompson rushed 29 times for 89 yards and three touchdowns, while catching four passes for 61 yards. One of those touchdowns came as the game clock expired at the end of the first half in a do-or-die situation that paid off massively for the Broncos. Thompson also contributed on special teams, returning four punts for a total of 51 yards.

Junior quarterback Drew Kelly finished the game 11-23 passing in very windy conditions, throwing for 116 yards and a touchdown pass to wide receiver Carson Ayers. Ayers flashed on the defensive side of the ball, intercepting two passes in the game's opening half to slam the door on the Manson offense.

The Broncos held the Trojans to just 152 yards of total offense--including just two rushing yards--as well as just 3-13 and 1-4 on third and fourth down conversions, respectively. The LRS offense was just 1-13 on third down conversions, but converted 5-7 fourth down plays to extend drives and keep the Manson offense off the field.

LRS brought the pressure throughout the game, especially in the game's decisive moments late in the fourth quarter. Manson had the ball facing a 4th and 4 near midfield with less than two minutes to play in the game, as the Broncos pass rush was able to force the Trojans quarterback out of the pocket. After scrambling for what seemed like minutes, LRS was able to force the Manson quarterback out of bounds well short of the first down marker, securing the Homecoming victory.

Spencer Gering and Hunter Dinkins each had two tackles for loss in the game, and Cole Cameron had 1.5.

The game was not without controversy, as Manson scored off of a backwards pass from LRS in the second quarter to take a 13-6 lead. The ball seemed like it was moving forward--and therefore an incomplete pass--but no whistles were blown by the officials and a Manson defender scooped up the ball and easily ran it back for a touchdown. LRS coaches were seen talking to the entire group of officials prior to the beginning of the third quarter.

On Friday, the Broncos will send off its senior class on Senior Night, as the team hosts the Asotin Panthers in the final game of the regular season. Asotin is 6-1 overall on the season and 2-1 in league play, and is coming off of a 10-6 win against Liberty in what was a defensive battle.

"They're tough," said Whitmore. "They've got good skilled kids, they run the ball really well. They probably run the ball better than they throw, but they've got a good, capable quarterback as well. So hopefully we can play as good a game we can put together on Senior Night. It's a pretty special night, it's going to be pretty emotional, so hopefully we can put it all together one of these days."

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Jimmie Snider Field in Ritzville.