MOSCOW, ID. -- The Sandpoint Bulldogs' run at a state championship came up just short at the hands of the 2007 title winner, Blackfoot, 29-23.
After falling behind 7-0, the Bulldogs used a solid response-drive, capped off by a seven yard touchdown run by Cody Hecker to tie things back up at seven apiece.
Sandpoint then caught a break. The Broncos were forced to punt deep in their own territory, but snapped the ball over the punter's head and out of the back of the endzone for a safety. The 9-7 Bulldog lead in the second quarter would be their last.
Blackfoot would vault out front with a Chris Percy one yard dive on 4th and goal to make it a 14-9 game at the half.
Sandpoint kicked the ball into the endzone for a touchback to start the second half. On the first Bronco play from scrimmage, Percy switched moved into the quarterback position and handed to starting QB Anthony Clarke who promptly took the ball 80 yards in for the back-breaking score to give Blackfoot a 21-9 lead.
The Bulldogs would turn the ball over in an attempt to respond when Hecker fumbled the football on the Broncos 45. Blackfoot capitalized by scoring yet again with another Percy dive play. The two-point conversion made it 29-9 and the Broncos didn't look back.
Sandpoint made a late charge to close the gap to 29-23, but the outcome of the game was never in question in the second half.
The Bulldogs finish the season with a 9-3 record, while Blackfoot closes out 11-1.
