After having their own Homecoming spoiled by Walla Walla last week, the Hermiston Bulldogs turned the tables and chalked up their first win of the season by hammering the Southridge Suns Thursday night at Lampson Stadium.
The Bulldogs kept Southridge (0-5) winless on the season by administering a dominating 37-7 victory to put a damper on the Suns’ Homecoming game.
After forcing a quick 3-and-out on Southridge’s opening possession of the game, Hermiston drove 50 yards and scored on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Sam Schwirse to Broc Remmer to open the scoring.
After forcing Southridge to punt a second time, Hermiston’s Garrett Walchli had a 67-yard punt return for a touchdown called back due to a penalty.
Late in the second quarter, Schwirse found Trevor Wagnor on a short pass to stretch the lead to 14-0
The ball bounced Southridge’s way late in the half when they intercepted a pass and scored on 1-yard run by quarterback Trenton Slatter as the gun sounded to end the half.
On their second drive of the third quarter, Hermiston marched 66 yards and scored on a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Daniel Faaeteete to give the Bulldogs a 21-7 lead.
Hermiston put 2 more points on the board when Sean Stewart blocked a Southridge punt into the end zone that resulted in a safety.
The Bulldogs had another touchdown – a 13-yard run by Walchli – called back on a holding penalty, but redeemed themselves minutes later when Schwirse connected with Remmer in the end zone to give Hermiston a 30-7 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
Faaeteete wrapped up the night’s scoring on a touchdown run late in the game.
The win snaps a four-game losing streak for Hermiston (1-4), who will host Chiawana next Friday at Kennison Field.
