Bigger Than a Game - By Sorrel Stratford

    Everyone’s eyes were on the Bombers after an unfortunate homecoming game loss to Kennewick last Friday. Competing against the Blue Devils tonight at Borleske Stadium, the Bombers showed that they would not be slowed down. With an end score of 42-0, Richland is in higher spirits. 

Both teams meet after the game to pray for Zaley and her family. Photo courtesy of Megan DeGraaf (RHS Yearbook).

    It was an emotional week in the Walla Walla community as the Blue devils experienced two heartbreaking losses. The Walla Walla community was celebrating the life of legendary coach Gary Mires who coached football at Walla Walla High School and built the Walla Walla football program from the ground up. He died on November 18th, 2021, and was the head coach at WaHi for many years. Zaley, a freshman at WAHi and coach Dave Blocklingers daughter, was in a fatal car accident last Saturday. Zaley was only fourteen years old and part of the soccer community at Walla Walla high school. WaHi students did not have school due to conferences, and service for Zaley was held on campus Friday morning. Teams from all around the MCC have shown their support in the best way they can for the loss of Zaley, with many teams making posters and wearing purple to “play for Zaley.” The Bombers student section, along with WaHi’s students, wore purple to honor her as that was her favorite color. It was a good football game for the Bombers, but when it came to an end, athletes from both teams came together in prayer at the 50-yard line to share a message of appreciating every second we have on this earth. Senior captain Landon Charlton when asked what the emotions were like during the game, Charlton responded, “During the game, we kept focused on football, and we just played. But after, we put aside the game and talked about something much bigger and came together as a family to show our support and respect for Zaley and her family.” The sports community is closer than ever and shows that in a time of need, the teams will be there for each other in any way they can. 

Freshman Brody Bocek (9) and Josh Woodard (4) celebrate with the team after Brody's first touchdown of the game. He will have two in the game. Photo courtesy of Megan DeGraaf (RHS Yearbook).

    Richland started the game off strong, marching down the field to score two touchdowns in just the first quarter. Freshman Brody Bocek had the first touchdown with a pass from Josh Woodard to put the bombers ahead at the seven-minute mark. Josh would have some great throws tonight, giving the bombers multiple scoring opportunities. With 5:30 left in the first quarter, Woodard throws a 43-yard ball to find junior wide receiver John Simons in the end zone to put the bombers ahead 14-0 in the first quarter. 

The Bomber defense swarms the WaHi running back in their shutout win. Photo courtesy of Megan DeGraaf (RHS Yearbook).

    The momentum doesn’t stop there. The Bombers will continue to score big before the half with touchdowns from freshman Brody Bocek, junior John Simons, senior Seth Shook, and sophomore Colson Mackey,  for two at the end of the second quarter. The bombers score in the last ten seconds before halftime, ending the half with a massive 42-0 lead allowing the bombers to have a running clock for the rest of the game. Woodard would tie the RHS record for most touchdowns thrown in a half of a game. Bomber graduate Cade Jensen set the record of six touchdown passes in half in 2017 when the bombers had an undefeated season. 

The Bomber crowd travels to Walla Walla to watch the 42-0 win. Photo courtesy of Megan DeGraaf (RHS Yearbook).

    The Blue Devils were unable to get through the Bomber’s defense, who were stopping the run and shutting down the pass all night long. Walla Walla had a blocked punt early in the second quarter that gave them great field position within the 20, but Rayce Reeves ended all momentum for the Blue Devils with a huge Interception and 70+ yard return. This was one of two Interceptions the Bombers would have tonight in the red zone. 

Landon Charlton (11), with an interception in the endzone, celebrates with Seth Shook (5) and Kalani Steward (31). Photo courtesy of Megan DeGraaf (RHS Yearbook).

    With the running clock, It was an uneventful second half for both teams, with no points scored. The second string for the Bombers would start the second half giving the underclassmen on the Bombers experience playing at the varsity level, preparing them to fill the gaps in the upcoming years. Richland will lose many key players next year, but the underclassmen seem to be stepping up to the challenge, scoring 3 out of 5 touchdowns from Friday’s game. Freshman Brody Bocek with one and sophomore Colson Mackey with two. 

    The Bombers are now in a better position for playoffs. With a tough game coming up this Thursday against the Kamiakin Braves, who are ranked fourth in the Mid-Columbia Conference, the Bombers need a big win. 

Tanner Schuster (7) with a catch against the Blue Devils. Photo courtesy of Megan DeGraaf (RHS Yearbook).