Box Score BOX SCORE
TACOMA, Wash. - The Lewis & Clark football put up 28 points in the fourth quarter to take down the Puget Sound Loggers 55-42 on Saturday afternoon in the Northwest Conference opener for both sides.
The win is the Pios fourth consecutive, helping the team remain undefeated, while earning them their first NWC victory of the year. The Loggers, who are still in search of their first win since 2010, fall to 0-4 on the year and 0-1 in conference.
The Loggers edged out the Pioneers in passing, putting up 359 yards, while the Pios finished the day with 325. As usual the Pioneers put together a solid running game, totally 285 yards compared to their counterparts 122.
Junior Keith Welch was 24-42 passing for the Pios, earning all 325 yards, tossing four touchdowns and one interception. Curtis Shirey was Welch's goto running back, logging 212 yards on 21 carries, scoring once. Welch collected three of the Pioneers touchdowns by running them in himself, holding the ball 20 times for 42 yards.
Nico Ohland had a huge day for the Pioners from the wing, collecting six passes for 140 yards and a touchdown. Jacob Costantino was also on the receiving end of a couple Pioneer touchdowns, scoring twice on five catches for 80 yards. Connor Imel scored the Pioneers other touchdown, receiving the ball five times for 37 yards.
Evy VandenEkart and Clay Israelson each came up with timely interceptions for the Pioneer defense, with Israelson returning his for 19 yards. Joe Kopp-Anderson led the team in tackles with 10, while Logan Kotzian and Andrew Traver each earned seven. The defense was all over the Puget Sound offense, totalling three sacks, seven breakups and seven tackles for a loss.
Adam Kniffin had his second 200-yard receiving game of the season for Puget Sound, hauling in 10 catches for 203 yards and three TDs. Quarterback Braden Foley ended up with 331 yards passing and four TDs while rushing for 35 yards and another touchdown. He also was intercepted twice.
The first half was a back and forth struggle with a late Pioneer touchdown sending L&C into the locker room with a slim 21-14 lead. Welch began the scoring for the Pios with a quick three-yard run in the first quarter, but was quickly equaled by a Foley/Kniffin touchdown moments later.
Puget Sound then took the lead halfway through the second quarter on a Kupuno Park run. Lewis & Clark wasted no time with their answer, with Shirey taking the ball 62-yards on the first play of the Pios drive.
Deadlocked at 14-14, Ohland recaptured the lead for Lewis & Clark with 1:33 remaining until halftime with an 18-yard reception.
Foley found Kniffin for a second time to start the second half in Puget Sound's favor. The Loggers converted a two-point converstion to take a 22-21 lead. Welch responded with back-to-back rushing touchdowns to put the Pioneers ahead 35-22.
Welch found Costantino and Imel for the Pios next two touchdowns, seeming to put the game out of reach for the Loggers.
Down 48-29, Kniffin once again scored for Puget Sound, which was followed by an onside kick that the Loggers managed to recover. Two minutes later the Loggers were in the endzone again, cutting the lead to six points at 48-42.
Puget Sound attempted another onside kick but this time
Lamar Curry recovered the ball for Lewis & Clark. Welch was able to find Costantino down the field for a 32-yard touchdown to earn the Pioneers a 55-42 advantage.
VandenEkart intercepted Foley on the Loggers second play on their final drive allowing the Pio offense to just take a knee.
The Pioneers return home for their next NWC match-up, hosting Pacific Lutheran at 1 p.m. on Oct. 6.
