Landon Garner throws four touchdown passes to lead Ridgeline past University 55-7

A year ago, Ridgeline came into its Week 7 game with University in search of its first season win and took a 20-18 lead into halftime before dropping a 39-20 decision to the Titans.

So what did the Falcons learn over the past year?

Simple. Make it a bigger lead. Much bigger.

Ridgeline placed a 55-7 thumping on their rivals from U-Hi on Friday night, and the host Falcons set a team record for the most points scored in a single game.

“When you’re a new program like we are, they’re all pretty much records,” Falcons coach Dave Myers said.

Ridgeline’s victory – along with Mead’s 24-21 loss to Lewis and Clark – clinched the second playoff seed from the Greater Spokane League 3A ranks. In their third season of existence, the Falcons (5-2, 5-2) have swept their district rivals, beating Central Valley to open the season and dominating the Titans on Friday.

Ridgeline scored 35 straight points on U-Hi and took a 35-7 lead into halftime of the GSL showdown.

“We knew we couldn’t let up on (the Titans) and let them get back in the game,” quarterback Landon Garner said. “Last year’s game was definitely on our minds.”

When Ridgeline debuted in 2021 with a roster dominated by freshmen and sophomores, Myers talked about believing in his players and what they were building.

“That we’re here and we’re on the verge of earning a playoff spot is pretty amazing,” he said.

Garner, who threw six touchdown passes in a 46-6 win over Cheney last week, has 10 TD passes over his past two games. All four of his touchdown throws against the Titans were impressive – touch throws that dropped neatly over a defender and into the arms of his receivers as they crossed the goal line.

“We’ve worked on that countless times,” Garner said. “We’d come out here all summer and work on that play. I have all the confidence in the world on my receivers – it’s not about me making those plays. It’s them. And don’t forget about my line and the job they do up front so I have time to make those throws.”

After trading interceptions with the Titans to start the game, Garner dropped a short pass to Brayden Allen for the game’s first score midway through the first quarter.

Ryan Koppenhaver boomed the ensuing kickoff to the U-Hi 5, and the Titans attempted a reverse and fumbled the exchange. The Falcons recovered and immediately scored on a Lincoln Duggan run for a 14-0 lead.

Camdan Haddad took a handoff at midfield on a draw and raced 46 yards for a TD and 21-0 lead with 1:43 still left in the first quarter.

Garner dropped his second and third touchdown passes into the waiting arms of Duggan for a 35-0 lead.

The Titans (2-5, 2-4) answered with 8 seconds left in the half when Caleb Wolcott found Dominick Victor for their lone score.

A year ago at U-Hi, the Falcons were pushed off the ball in the second half as the Titans staged their comeback.

Friday night, Ridgeline did the dominating along both the offensive and defensive lines.

The Falcons blitzed frequently and repeatedly chased Wolcott out of the pocket, forcing him to throw while on the run and off-balance.

“We’ve put a lot of emphasis on getting into the weight room and keep getting stronger,” Myers said. “We have the best facilities in the area and we want to take advantage of that.”

On offense, the Ridgeline running game dictated the game, with Cole LeGrant gaining tough yards and breaking through tackles for bigger gains.

“Our running game is really doing well right now,” Garner said. “It feels like all that work we’ve been putting in is paying off.

“To be able to have a game like this is pretty incredible. I get emotional just thinking about it.”