Isaac Corey ran for two touchdowns and passed for another as the Bulldogs opened the Mid-Columbia Conference season with a road win over the Falcons, 21-12, at Hanford on Thursday.
“It was nice to get a win to start the season,” Hermiston coach David Faaeteete said. “Just have to keep plowing away the rest of the season. We will enjoy this tonight and get ready for Richland next week.”
Hermiston opened the scoring with 2:48 remaining in the first quarter as Corey took the ball in from 6 yards out. Corey would score again just before the half, this time a 1-yard plunge for a 14-0 lead.
Early in the third, Corey connected with Nathan Waelty on a 32-yards scoring pass to put the Bulldogs out front 21-0.
“We scored a couple of touchdowns, and instead of nailing the lid on the coffin, they gave up a little,”Faaeteete said. “A lot of good and a lot of bad. We will learn from it and grow.”
Hanford rallied in the fourth quarter for a pair of touchdowns, but missed the conversions on each one.
“The kids did some good things,” Faaeteete said. “We just need to get better. Hanford ran the ball really well, caught us on some inside plays and we weren’t able to hit the quarterback enough.”
Corey completed 17 of 24 passes for 196 yards, and also ran for 28 yards. Ben Larson had nine carries for 50 yards, while Jaime Ramirez-Ortega caught four passes for 57 yards, Justus Counsel had five catches for 52, and Waelty had four catches for 48 yards and a touchdown.
Hanford ran for 196 yards, getting 80 yards and a touchdown from Caden Wilson. Eli Perkes threw for 69 yards and ran for 29.
The Bulldogs lost receiver Landon Shilhanek to an injury in the first quarter.
“We decided to sit him,” Faaeteete said. “We will evaluate him tomorrow. A lot of kids stepped up and filled the role. Any time you can spread the ball around, it’s good.”
Nice!!!! Go Dawgs