Broncos crush Reardan

REARDAN – It took all of 14 seconds for the Lind-Ritzville, Sprague, Washtucna and Harrington Broncos to show why they are one of the top 2B schools in the state. That is how long it took for Brock Kinch to return the game's opening kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown. The Broncos went on to defeat the Screaming Eagles 46-7 in NE2B action on Oct. 14.

After Kinch's score the Broncos unveiled a hard-hitting defense by forcing a Reardan fumble on their first play from scrimmage. Seconds later quarterback Chase Galbreath showed off his rifle-arm by hitting Cooper Miller with a 50-yard pass. After playing only 1 minute and five seconds, the Broncos led 13-0.

Later in the first quarter the Broncos defense again asserted itself when Hunter Dinkins broke through Reardan's offensive line to block a punt. Brody Boness capitalized on Reardan's miscue by plunging into the endzone from the 1-yard line. The extra point was missed, but the Broncos jumped out to a 19-0 lead.

Before the end of the first quarter Rysen Soliday gave the Reardan fans reason to cheer when he hit Jakari Singleton with a 37-yard pass. Singleton's fingertip catch put six points on the scoreboard for the Screaming Eagles. Noah Hamilton kicked the extra point. The Screaming Eagles defense stiffened, and the teams played to a stalemate until halftime.

The Broncos special teams made big plays all night. Early in the second half Hayden Melcher gathered in a Reardan punt at his own 30-yard line and handed the ball to the referee 70 yards later after racing untouched into the endzone. This put the Broncos up 26-7.

In the fourth quarter Galbreath and Melcher struck again. Galbreath's side-arm pass hit Melcher in stride allowing him to rumble 29-yards down the sideline and bull across the goal line, making the score 33-7.

After Reardan muffed a punt, Galbreath continued his strong night by hitting Jayce Kelly with a 10-yard strike to make the score 39-7. Jayce Kelly rounded out the scoring when he replaced Galbreath at quarterback and scored on a keeper from three yards out. The final score was 46-7.

The Screaming Eagles had success running the ball against the Broncos, outrushing them 184-41. They were led by Soliday with 82 yards.

The Broncos ruled the air, however. Galbreath passed for 260 yards and three touchdowns compared to 59 yards and one touchdown for Reardan. Ledger Kelly kicked five extra points for the Broncos.

Defensively, Soliday led the Screaming Eagles with six tackles. For the Broncos, Brock Tracy and Carson Kubik recorded six and five, respectively.

Galbreath complimented Reardan on its defensive adjustments that kept the Broncos from the endzone in the second quarter.

"They are always going to play hard," Galbreath said.

He said that this game would help the Broncos as they move towards the playoffs. "We learned that we have to fight the whole game. We can't take a quarter off."

Broncos coach Brendan Bermea was pleased with the win but saw room for improvement.

"We did not play to our potential tonight. We came out fast but let off the gas. If we never let up we will be a great team."

Reardan coach Matt Clouse was complimentary of his opponent.

"That's a good squad over there. They are one of the better teams in our league. We made too many mistakes to hang with them tonight."

He was pleased with his team's effort and saw flashes of "pretty good play," but he stressed the need for greater consistency on both sides of the ball.

The win improved the Broncos record to 6-1 in league play. The loss dropped Reardan to 2-4.

The Broncos next game is Oct. 29 at Asotin and the Screaming Eagles close out their season at home on Oct. 21, against Liberty.