FIGHT IN THE DOGS: Bulldogs Show Promise in Home Loss to Newport

The final score didn’t go Kettle Falls’ way Friday, Sept. 18, but the Bulldogs battled Newport in a 28-6 Northeast 2B League loss at home. Kettle Falls fell to 0-3 on the season, but the Bulldogs created opportunities on both sides of the ball and finished the night with their best offensive stretch coming in the fourth quarter. “I was extremely proud of the way our kids continued to compete and never backed down against a very good football team all night,” Kettle Falls Head Coach Greg Mace said. “That is exactly what we asked them to do, and they delivered. Regardless of what the scoreboard said, our kids kept battling, stayed together, and continued to play hard for one another.

As a coach, you cannot ask for much more than that kind of effort and commitment.” Newport built a 21-0 halftime lead behind a powerful rushing attack, including a pair of long touchdown runs by Kutter Driver. Driver finished with 223 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Preston Wacenske added 92 yards and a score. Kettle Falls, though, had chances to answer. The Bulldogs forced the game’s first turnover when Newport fumbled in the opening quarter. Kettle Falls quarterback Cody Adams recovered the loose ball and returned it to the Newport 27-yard line, giving the Bulldogs an early opportunity in Grizzlies territory. Kettle Falls was unable to turn that possession into points, but the Bulldogs continued to put drives together. “We have to continue improving our run blocking,” Mace said.

“I feel like Aiden Fowler is running the football extremely hard and doing a lot of good things for us, but we have to do a better job of creating space for him. That comes down to both our scheme and our physicality up front. We need to continue developing our offensive line and finding ways to establish our running game,” Mace said. “I did feel like our offensive line made tremendous strides in pass protection this week, and that was very encouraging to see. We are making progress, and we need to continue building on those improvements each week.” Adams helped spark the offense late in the first half, connecting with Cooper McKern on a 44-yard pass that quickly flipped the field. Adams also used his legs effectively throughout the game, finishing with 52 rushing yards on six carries.

The Bulldogs again moved into scoring territory earlier in the second quarter, helped by completions of 16 and seven yards and a Newport penalty, but the drive ended on downs. After a scoreless third quarter, Kettle Falls continued to battle. The Bulldogs put together their most complete drive of the night in the fourth quarter, mixing the run and pass while steadily working their way down the field. Aiden Fowler carried much of the workload on the ground, while Adams contributed runs of nine and 13 yards.

Adams later connected with Alex Mazanek for 10 yards as Kettle Falls moved closer to the goal line. The drive finally paid off with 1:09 remaining when Adams found Zachary Burch for a three-yard touchdown pass, getting the Bulldogs on the scoreboard. Adams finished the night with 106 passing yards and a touchdown while adding 52 yards rushing. Burch caught three passes for 30 yards and the touchdown, while McKern finished with two receptions for 42 yards. Mazanek added three catches for 30 yards, and Fowler had two receptions to go along with 17 rushing attempts.

Although Kettle Falls remains in search of its first win, the Bulldogs showed an ability to sustain drives and generate explosive plays against Newport. Kettle Falls finished with 183 yards of offense from the charted plays, including 106 through the air. The Bulldogs also protected the football, finishing without a turnover while forcing one from Newport. “Our league is extremely tough, and wins are not easy to come by. But I really appreciate the attitude and fight our athletes are showing right now,” Mace said.

“They continue to stay positive, show up ready to work, and leave everything they have on the field for their teammates and coaches. We talk a lot about being disciplined, fast, physical, and doing our jobs. Those are the things we can control, regardless of who we are playing or what the scoreboard says. I am proud of the way our kids are representing our program, and I believe that if we continue to compete with this kind of attitude and effort, we will keep getting better. That is all I can ask of them as their coach.