Bomber Turnovers Costly Against EKU - By Brenden Stolworthy

     After coming from a 49-0 win for the Bombers, we were feeling fairly good about our homecoming game against the Kennewick Lions. With many halftime awards being handed out and the homecoming dance coming up, it was an energetic night. However, this week’s matchup proved to be arduous for the Bombers. Unfortunately, our fight was not enough and Richland suffered its second loss this season. The Lions, who are coming off last year's season playing for the state championship, beat the Bombers 19-7. It was a very hard-fought game. The equal force being pushed upon from both sides turned the game into a bit of craftsmanship. Both teams chipped away yards for first downs in hopes of reaching the endzone.

The Bomber defense stack up against the Lions. Photo courtesy of Megan DeGraaf (RHS Yearbook).

    The first quarter kicked off with a battle. Both teams were trying their hardest to prove they were superior. With the Lions landing the first blow, the whole stadium knew it was going to be a tough game. Both student sections roared in support of their players, and the vibe was electric. The first quarter ended with the Lions leading 6-0.  

    Our second quarter began with an unfortunate fumble recovery by the Lions to score for the second time in the first half, putting the score at 13-0. But only a few minutes later, senior wide receiver Seth Shook responded with a 35-yard touchdown pass delivered by Josh Woodard, making the score 13-7. The game would be in the trenches for the Lions and the air raid offense for the Bombers. 

    The Bombers would get down within the five-yard line, with the half coming to a close. Looking to take the lead and shift the momentum of the game, Richland would attempt a pass to Tanner Schuster that would be tipped by the Lions, bobbled by Schuster, and bobbled again by two Lion defenders. Unfortunately, the Lions would intercept a pass in the end zone two minutes before halftime. Senior Zane Weikum did not take that very lightly. A few plays later, Zane got his first sack of the night on eKu’s quarterback Andre Breedlove. Weikum gave the Lions’ quarterback something to worry about when he dropped into the pocket, the score 13-7 going into the locker room at the half.

Landon Charlton (11) watches as teammate Tanner Schuster (7) makes a catch. Photo courtesy of Megan DeGraaf (RHS Yearbook).

    Starting off the third quarter, the boys came out with the intent to give back what the Lions had given them. Tanner Schuster received the signal from one of the coaches and proceeded to meet the quarterback mid-play for his second sack of the game. From then through the rest of the third quarter, it was a race against time, with both teams fighting for yards, points, and the win.  

    After an action-packed quarter finished, the fourth began equally as intensely with a fourth down attempt by Kennewick. The Lions would attempt to run the ball as they had the whole night and fall right before the first down marker. The refs would have to walk up the chains and measure to see whether or not the Lions had made the first down. They had come within inches, but it wasn’t quite enough. It was the Bomber’s ball now. Unfortunately, this turnover on downs would become a Bomber turnover as we fumbled the ball recovered by Kennewick. After a few more back-and-forth drives and a few penalties, the Lions QB ran ten yards to get their third touchdown of the night which turned the score to 19-7 Lions.  

    The fourth quarter definitely seemed off as there had been a drone spotted hovering over the field, causing the announcer to remind the students that drones were not permitted. After a couple more plays, the drone was spotted again right above the field and it was seen by refs, who stopped the game until it had left.

Smiles can still be found in the student section. Photo courtesy of Megan DeGraaf (RHS Yearbook).

    I had gotten the opportunity to talk to Xander Piatt, a recent Bomber Alumni who also participated in the football program, “We need more runningback strength and better running reinforcement.” With 187 passing yards and only 46 rushing yards this game, the Bomber’s run game had been absent. With our defense proving to be as gritty as usual, our offense seemed to lack the power it showed the week before.  

    With only a couple of minutes before the game ended, the Lions had managed to intercept the ball and proceeded to knee the ball and end the game, leaving the score 19-7. Even though the game had ended in a loss, Bomber students were still light-hearted, as there was a firework show afterward. The students were permitted onto the field to hang out and laugh a little while the fireworks were going on. Even after a loss, it was great to see that the students had kept a light heart and a good spirit.  

Bombers take the field against the Kennewick Lions. Photo courtesy of Megan DeGraaf (RHS Yearbook).