Tri-Cities coach now has 2nd most wins in school history + Week 2 big wins and losses

Head coach Mike Neidhold was asked what it meant to have more career football victories at Richland High School than his old coach, J.D. Covington.

He teared up.

“It’s humbling,” he said. “Coach Covington was such a revered man in this high school. Same thing with Coach (Fran) Rish. Fortunately, I had those two men be my mentors. …. So, yes, it’s humbling. Never in my life did I ever think I’d be there.”

Neidhold’s Bombers (2-0 Mid-Columbia Conference, 2-0 overall) exploded for 41 unanswered points on Friday to rout the visiting Hermiston Bulldogs 48-7 at Fran Rish Stadium.

That gives Neidhold 108 career wins at Richland, while Covington sits at 107, and Rish at 106. Lonnie Pierson is the all-time leader at 129.

But Neidhold was the first to deflect the praise, telling his players it doesn’t happen without a good coaching staff, and most important — good players.

And the Bombers supplied many of those on Friday night, starting with junior quarterback Josh Woodard.

The speedy right-hander was 17-for-30 passing for 287 yards and three touchdown passes. He also ran in for another score from 20 yards out.

Just like last week against Southridge, Woodard took advantage of a defense that ran just a one-high safety formation at the wrong time.

“We took advantage of it four or five times,” said Neidhold.

Then there was Richland’s Big 3 — Seth Shook, Tanner Schuster and Landon Charlton — that caused some damage.

Shook caught a 50-yard TD pass from Woodard that snapped a 7-7 tie, and he finished with 3 catches for 95 yards.

Schuster caught the game’s first TD pass for 11 yards, then added a 60-yard interception return for a score.

And Charlton rushed 9 times for 73 yards and two touchdowns.

“Josh has been playing really well,” said Shook. “During the summer, we knew he’d play really well. Since his freshman year, he’s been an unbelievable basketball player. Some people questioned whether he could play football. But we knew he was gonna play well for us.”

Richland’s defense also did a good job of limiting Hermiston sophomore quarterback Isaac Corey, a very talented athlete who finished 26 for 42 for 206 yards passing and a TD pass.

But the Bombers also forced him into three interceptions.

Leading the way on defense again was Richland linebacker Kalani Steward. The senior, who was in on 21 tackles in last week’s 17-16 win over Southridge, had an unofficial 9 tackles (2 for loss).

Linebacker Zane Weikum added 7 tackles (2 for loss), while DB Torin Bellston had 4 tackles (1 for loss), a fumble recovery, a cover and a pass breakup.

“We played a lot of base defense this week, and tried to focus on doing the little things,” said Shook.

Neidhold agreed.

“(Corey) is a pretty slippery quarterback,” he said. “We’ve got to contain him.”

NOTES: Bulldogs receiver Dale Krebs had a string game, catching the lone Corey TD pass, and finishing with 8 receptions for 66 yards. … Richland sophomore WR Colton Mackey had 2 catches for 82 yards, including a 73-yard TD reception. … Hermiston DL Jaxson Gribskov led the Bulldogs defensively with 7 tackles, while LB Ben Larson added 5 tackles and a cover. … Hermiston (1-1 MCC, 1-1 overall) plays host to Walla Walla next Friday. … Richland plays host to Hanford next Friday.

Week 2 highlights

CHIAWANA 48, HANFORD 0: Host Chiawana’s defense surrendered just 42 offensive yards to the Falcons offense, Hunter Azure-Price and Kade Smith each score two touchdowns, and the Riverhawks rolled to the MCC victory at Edgar Brown Stadium on Friday.

Junior quarterback DJ Duran tossed three touchdown passes for Chiawana, now 2-0 in MCC play.

Ian Mohl led the Riverhawks ground game, rushing 13 times for 165 yards, including a 65-yard TD run.

Smith had an 85-yard punt return for a score.

KAMIAKIN 36, MOSES LAKE 29: The visiting Braves earned their first victory of the season in a non-league game at Lions Field.

Carter Poland tossed three touchdown passes, including the go-ahead score in the final minute.

Moses Lake scored with 3 minutes remaining to cut Kamiakin’s lead to 28-27. And the renamed Mavericks then successfully converted the 2-point extra-point attempt for a 29-28 lead, before the Braves rallied to win.

Braves senior Fabian Hernandez returned a punt 45 yards for a touchdown, while Walker Fabrri ran a fumble 43 yards for another score.

KENNEWICK 48, WALLA WALLA 6: Senior quarterback Andre Breedlove dominated on offense to lead the visiting Lions to an MCC victory at Borleske Stadium.

Breedlove rushed 7 times for 97 yards and scored three touchdowns. He was also 10 for 15 for 182 yards passing and three TD passes.

Zaydel Capetillo added 90 yards of total offense, with 63 yards rushing on 6 carries. He also caught a 27-yard touchdown pass from Breedlove.

David Wacenske added two pass receptions for 52 yards for the Lions, now 2-0 in MCC play.

SOUTHRIDGE 51, PASCO 0: The host Suns rushed 40 times for 400 yards in their Wing-T offense en route to the win over the visiting Bulldogs at Lampson Stadium on Friday.

Southridge had four players with at least 50 yards rushing: James Rush ran 13 times for 137 yards and three touchdowns; Lucien Cone added 11 carries for 93 yards rushing and one TD; Gunner Beauchamp had 2 carries for 85 yards and a touchdown; and Brandt Beus added 3 carries for 55 yards and a score.

Emilio Inglesias led Pasco with 100 total yards: 3 receptions for 73 yards, and 14 rushes for 27 yards.

Bulldogs QB Jake Raymond was 8-for-16 for 124 yards passing.

MCC standings

Chiawana 2-0 MCC, 2-0 overall

Kennewick 2-0, 2-0

Richland 2-0, 2-0

Hermiston 1-1, 1-1

Southridge 1-1, 1-1

Kamiakin 0-1, 1-1

Walla Walla 0-1, 0-2

Hanford 0-2, 0-2

Pasco 0-2, 0-2

Friday, Sept. 16

All games 7 p.m. kickoffs

Chiawana at Pasco, Edgar Brown Stadium

Hanford at Richland

Kennewick at Sunnyside

Southridge at Kamiakin, Lampson Stadium

Walla Walla at Hermiston