Bulldogs Make History-Yet Bombers Walk Off Undefeated - By Brooklynn Boyce
Bomber athletes, coaches and fans were able to sleep soundly last night after the 2024 Richland High Football Team nailed another victory down. However, this Bulldog and Bomber matchup was not your typical triumph. With a final score of 56-7, it is another atomic achievement.
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| Photo: Ian Reardon |
Your average football spectator would look at Friday's final score and ponder. “A great win! Bomber blowout! Bulldogs defeated, so how's that history?” A true Bomber fan would glance at the score and maybe shed a tear. The Pasco Bulldogs have not put numbers on the board against Richland since 2019. With that nail-biting news, 2019 was the same year that the Bulldogs last took us to the pound. Opening that time capsule is important. The score of the 2019 matchup, 14-16, will always remain in the back of the Bombers' minds. Reflecting but learning ensures Richland Football is never made mincemeat by Pasco again. Junior wide receiver Max Valencia clutched the 18-yard catch and made a remarkable six-pointer for the Pasco offense. The team chemistry between Valencia and his quarterback, Junior Olvera, truly orchestrated the game beautifully. The junior-sophomore combo brought joy and pride to those in purple and black. The universal truth of the Pasco Squad is that they find themselves more often than not at the short end of the stick when it comes to ‘W’s’ next to their name. The Bulldogs, at the end of the night, fell short, but every sports fan in the MCC should be aware of the applause these ‘Pups’ deserve.
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| Photo: Ian Reardon |
We could sit down all day and pat the Bulldogs’ head and reminisce on their single touchdown significance. Alternatively, the bull's eye of the Edgar Brown derby was the Bombers' top-tier performance. Eight seemed to be the magic number for Richland kids. The 56 points were distributed by a touchdown catch by Preston Bryant 16-yard from Jackson Woodard (Dylan Dunnum kick) (8:45), Bryant again with a 22-yard pass from Jackson Woodard (Dunnum kick) (0:37.1), Zach Rose 18 yard pass from Jackson Woodard (Dunnum kick) (9:16), Colson Mackey 6 yard pass from Jackson Woodard (Dunnum kick), Mackey once more with a 40-yard pass from Jackson Woodard (Dunnum kick), Gavin Walther 49 yard interception return (Dunnum kick) (5:10), thirds times a charm for Mackey with a 10 yard pass from Jackson Woodard (Dunnum kick) (0:00.9), and the final diss to the mutts with Josh Biggs 11 yard run (Dunnum kick) (2:52).
Zach Rose, senior wide receiver, discussed some of the fine-tuning that the team was making from their past mistakes against Southridge, “There weren't many mistakes on Saturday. However, we will cover the outside more. Even though Pasco isn’t the greatest team in the league, they run the ball well.” Rose was successful last season, highlighting being ranked in the top 20 in Washington for one stat, top 9 in Division 4A for one stat, and top 1 in 3A/4A Mid-Columbia for one stat. The senior also talked about the mindset of his team and what it takes to maintain the Bomber football standard when facing a lower opponent, “We never take our foot off the gas,” Rose said with confidence, “even when the second or third string players go in, we always maintain playing our game.” Zach truly stuck to his word. The crowd went wild over Rose’s touchdown in the second quarter, plus a remarkable interception later in the game.
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| Photo: Ian Reardon |
Transitioning from Rose’s phenomenal performance, there were many other note-worthy plays from other players. Juniors Gavin Walther and Levi Stiver were on the same wavelength as Rose, both with a beautiful interception, as well as junior Brody Bocek had a flawless one-hand catch. The wide receiver took a bruising fall after making the play. As the swarm of players dispersed from around him, every person in Pasco gasped. Boseck came off the ground with a sorrowful limp back to the training room. I had a chance to get direct information from the player himself. “I was running a fade route and jumped for the ball. When I came down with it, I rolled my ankle pretty hard.” Bocek also had an evaluation with our sports trainer Mrs. B, “(Mrs. B.) told me it could just be a sprain. I am going to get an x-ray to make sure it's nothing serious.” Then Bocek said a line that made all Bomber fans' hearts ache, “hopefully, I’m back and ready for Kennewick this week.” Will Bocek’s injury be healed for a huge opponent? On top of that, Richland High’s Homecoming Football Game this coming week? Brody's three years of performance on the Bomber turf has left a “Bocek” legacy. His fellow team needs their starting wide receiver. Our Bomber family mourns this possible pause to Bocek’s season but stays hopeful a hometown favorite will return soon.
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| Photo: Ian Reardon |
Another September night for the Bomber boys demonstrated again their tight team bond and undying pride and love of the game. The growth of these athletes is undeniable. Despite a rollercoaster ride of a game, the Bombers always come out on top. With that being said, can the Bombers maintain their record and flawless play? Bulldogs and Suns have been nothing the Bomb Squad can’t handle, but they have some fierce competition on the horizon. The Bombers will have to maintain their strong-tight defense and always think one step ahead on offense, all while having connection and fellowship. With that, see you under the lights.
