Season for the decades is over for Battle Ground football

The Battle Ground Tigers did not like the outcome Saturday in Spokane.

Still, they have to feel accomplished.

Battle Ground’s first trip to the state football playoffs since 1979 came to an end when Gonzaga Prep scored three first-quarter touchdowns en route to a 42-14 victory.

The Tigers would hang with the Bullpups for three quarters, but never could overcome the tough start.

The Bullpups blocked a Battle Ground punt and recovered in the end zone for a touchdown to open the game. Then the G-Prep defensive line pressured Battle Ground quarterback Gunner Talkington into an interception, which led to another touchdown.

Then Battle Ground drove deep into G-Prep territory, only to lose the ball on downs on a fourth-and-1 play. Moments later, Gonzaga Prep scored again.

Reed Thompson’s 26-yard touchdown run made it 21-7 at the half.

Gonzaga Prep made it a three-TD game again early in the third quarter, but Talkington connected with Riley Betcher on a 27-yard touchdown pass to make it 28-14.

Gonazga Prep, though, got the only two scores of the fourth quarter.

Talkington threw for 277 on 30-for-50 passing. Betcher had 10 catches for 106 yards.

The Battle Ground defense recovered five fumbles.

Gonzaga Prep rushed for 344 yards. Nick Johnson led the team with 101 yards on six carries, with a touchdown. He also had a TD reception.

The Tigers finished the season 8-3, the most wins for the program since 1991.

GONZAGA PREP 42, BATTLE GROUND 14

Battle Ground 0 7 7 0–14

Gonzaga Prep 21 0 7 14–42

First Quarter

GP — Taj Hoard recoverd blocked punt in end zone (Jared Kutsch kick)

GP — Mason Plese 2 run (Kutsch kick)

GP — Nick Johnson 65 pass from Liam Bell (Kutsch kick)

Second Quarter

BG — Reed Thompson 26 run (Riley Betcher kick)

Third Quarter

GP — Evan Weaer 62 run (Kutsch kick)

BG — Betcher 27 pass from Gunner Talkington (Betcher kick)

Fourth Quarter

GP — Weaver 2 run (Kutsch kick)

GP — Nick Johnson 69 run (Kutsch kick)

Individual statistics

RUSHING — BG: Curtis Stradley 3-8, Thompson 12-74, Talkington 10-(minus 36), Betcher 1-1. GP: Johnson 6-101, Devin Clup 2-29, Plese 21-78, Bell 7-10, Andrew Palm 1-9, Weaver 9-88, Ryan Gross 2-12, Jake Tucker 5-19, Kasey Anthony 3-(minus 2).

PASSING — BG: Talkington 30-50-4-277, Kyle Cahoon 0-1-0-0. GP: Bell 1-6-0-65.

RECEIVING — BG: Cahoon 7-69, Max Randle 3-7, Betcher 10-106, Logan Hertner 2-33, Chase Gunter 4-44, Thompson 3-6, Cole Grossmn 1-12. GP: Johnson 1-65.