Johnson, McLaughlin come up huge in win

WENATCHEE, Wash. — Riding the strength of a crisp passing game, the Bulldogs came out throwing early and often, cruising to a 41-27 win over Eastmont in nonleague football action Friday night in Wenatchee.

Quarterback Johnson completed 22 of 33 attempts for 302 yards and four touchdowns, and also used his legs to make plays in the running game with 40 yards rushing and a score, as the Bulldogs (2-3) picked up a big win to build momentum for next week’s league opener at Lakeland.

The Sandpoint offense, usually run-first, came out slinging the rock, as T.J. Davis hauled in a 65 yard strike on a deep post for the first score of the game.

Eastmont (0-6) also got a good game from their quarterback, as Nathan Schwinkendorf scored on the first of his three rushing touchdowns on the game to even the score at 7-7 after the first quarter.

The Bulldogs got huge games from receivers Taran McLaughlin, who hauled in three touchdown catches, and Julian Barajas, who made the tough catches on third downs that kept the chains moving on a host of scoring drives.

Sandpoint head coach George Yarno stressed this week the need for his team to finish drives, and they did that well all night.

McLaughlin’s first score was on a 31 yard catch, which was quickly answered by a 60 yard strike from Eastmont, which tied the game at 14-14.

McLaughlin, whose 6-foot-6 frame is a weapon in the red zone, would haul in scores from 23 and 22 yards out, to give the Bulldogs a 26-14 lead in the fourth quarter. He finished with six catches for 95 yards, while Barajas hauled in nine grabs for 118 tough yards.

The Bulldogs weren’t able to run the ball with much success, finishing with 108 yards on 37 carries.

Safety Clayton Fournier had a big game defensively, with several tackles for loss, and as he has been all season, was a factor with some strong returns that led to short fields.

Eastmont finished with 110 yards passing and 211 yards rushing, most of which came on the legs of Schwinkendorf.

The Bulldogs now turn their attention to the first of two straight 4A Inland Empire League games, when they travel south to face rival Lakeland next Friday night.

Sandpoint 7 13 6 14 — 41

Eastmont 7 7 7 6 — 27

Spt — T.J. Davis 65 catch from Robbie Johnson (Sawyer Seley kick)

Eas — Nathan Schwinkendorf 34 run (kick good)

Spt — Taran McLaughlin 31 catch from Johnson (Seley kick)

Eas — Devon Schneider 60 catch from Schwinkendorf (kick good)

Spt — McLaughlin 23 catch from Johnson (kick failed)

Spt — McLaughlin 22 catch from Johnson (try failed)

Eas — Schwinkendorf 37 run (kick good)

Eas — Schwinkendorf 81 run (try failed)

Spt — Levi Irish 4 run (Johnson run)

Spt — Johnson 1 run (Seley kick)