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Middleton’s Weston Volpei, right, finds running room as Bishop Kelly’s Nicko Brady gets a hand on Volpei on Friday night at Middleton High School.
Mike Vogt/IPT
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By Jake Alger
sports@idahopress.com
Saturday, September 19th, 2009

MIDDLETON — Bishop Kelly made last year's nailbiter against Middleton High School a distant memory Friday night, winning 28-0 on the strength of power running, timely receptions and an opportunistic defense.

Their toughness in the trenches didn't hurt, either.

"I thought we controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball," BK head coach Lee Leslie said. "That was the key."

That particular key unlocked 252 yards rushing on 32 carries.

Matt Sato got the Knights rolling early with 34 yards rushing on just three carries in their first possession of the game. Jake Wylie capped the drive with a 10-yard jump ball to Jake Hardee in the end zone, making it 7-0.

MHS made headway at times, including Dean Coombs' 44-yard scamper to BK's 24-yard line. But the Vikings couldn't punctuate that drive with any points.

The Knights took advantage of their 4A Southern Idaho Conference opponent's struggles, taking a two-touchdown lead into intermission after a 13-yard strike from Wylie to Hunter Griffith.

After an impressive homecoming fireworks and pyrotechnics display at halftime, BK's Nik Buich put on a show of his own, carrying for 73 yards and a TD on one drive after sitting out the first half for disciplinary reasons.

Dominic Chumich's 50-yard interception return for six points iced the game for the Knights with over 8 minutes left in the contest. The Vikings had their best scoring opportunity late in the game, only to be rebuffed at the 2-yard line.

"We're a much better team than that," Middleton head coach Bill Brock said.

Pivotal play

Buich's fresh legs to start the second half proved a surprise boon for BK, as his tackle-busting 43-yard touchdown basically put the game out of reach.

The play was indicative of the Knights' consistent ground success.

"Our playing time gets really easy when the line is tearing it up," Buich said.

Defensive outlook

Middleton may have reason for optimism defensively, as they produced several highlights throughout the game.

Linebacker Bobby Skinner had two punishing hits on the quarterback — one a sack and another a forced fumble. Veteran defensive back Coombs also levied a few big-time hits. The secondary in general came through with some tight pass coverage as well.

"The effort was good defensively," Brock said.

Turnover battle

Much like in last year's 20-14 loss to the Knights, the Vikings devastated their cause by turning the ball over. They lost two fumbles and threw two interceptions, causing their coach considerable consternation.

"We put ball on the ground too many times," Brock said, adding that they've got plenty of work to do this week — especially on offense.

"We have to go back and do things the way we know we can."

Up next

Middleton (0-1 4A SIC, 1-2 overall) will try to reboot its offense and gets its first conference win by hosting Mountain Home at 7 p.m. next Friday. The Tigers nabbed their first win Friday against Kuna, but they've given up plenty of points so far this season.

Bishop Kelly will look to keep up its momentum at 7 p.m. next Friday in Boise versus conference foe Emmett. The Huskies are still looking for their first win.

The Knights may have to rely heavily on Buich because Sato hurt his MCL in the first half Friday, causing him to sit out the entire second stanza, and possibly much longer.