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REARDAN – The always-intense rivalry between the Reardan Indians and Davenport Gorillas reached another level in 2005, with the two schools facing off twice, once in the regular season and once in the state semifinals. This week, The Times looks back to the regular season matchup where Davenport came out on top 29-22 in Reardan. The win snapped Reardan’s four-game winning streak in the regular season. The look back is told through the eyes of players and coaches from both teams.
Both teams came into the Oct. 13 game undefeated, but perennial powerhouse Reardan was the favorite. Davenport missed the playoffs the year before, and their eventual run to the state semifinals was unexpected.
The weather was windy and rainy, which played into the Gorillas’ favor.
Jim Shillam (former Davenport offensive coordinator, now a high school business teacher and football and baseball coach in the Dallas area): We knew every year that that was going to be a tough game for us, because Reardan never seemed to be down. They seemed to be one of those programs that could reload.
Mike Perry (former Davenport assistant coach, now superintendent of Arlee Public schools in Montana): We were really scrappy. We were the kind of team that did well in the mud and the rain.
Eric Everett (former Reardan quarterback/cornerback, now lives in the Cheney area and works for Nutrien Ag Solutions): I remember it being like all the other years, that’s the game that matters. I don’t want to say your season depends on (it), but that’s the one that matters most. Like all of them, it was a fight. It typically went down to the last minute or two in the fourth quarter, and that was no different.
The game was tied 15-15 at halftime. The first half featured a bout of trash talk between Everett and Davenport senior running back/defensive back Luke Rodenbough.
Rodenbough (now lives in Greeley, Colorado and works in oil fields as a pipe welder): I don’t remember what one said to the other, but I know I instigated it, because we were hot for that game. I said something, and he said, ‘look at the scoreboard,’ because they were ahead early in the game. We just crossed paths (at halftime), and I just said, ‘look at the scoreboard now,’ because they had held every team up to that point under 100 yards total, and we had over 100 yards at halftime.
A sloppy third quarter netted no points to either side. Then, in the fourth quarter, Reardan’s Austin Garner intercepted a pitch play from Davenport quarterback Kyle Nelson. Two plays later, the Indians’ Jon Jayne scored a touchdown to give Reardan a 22-15 lead.
With just under four minutes remaining, a long penalty gave Davenport the ball at the Reardan 20-yard-line. Davenport senior running back/defensive back Luke Rodenbough took a 15-yard pass from Nelson for a touchdown to tie the game at 22 apiece.
Rodenbough: I remember calling that play myself. I was out there watching the linebackers on a couple routes where I didn’t go out to pass. I was blocking and I watched the linebacker’s coverage. We took a timeout and I told the tight end to cross in front of me, just run a drag. I crossed against him. I told Kyle to throw it to whoever they didn’t pick up, and they didn’t pick me up.
Davenport would get the ball back, and with two minutes remaining, Rodenbough gave the Gorillas the lead with a 54-yard touchdown run after breaking several Reardan attempted tackles.
Eric Nikkola (Reardan head football coach): Somehow he sneaked out and would not give up on the play and kept running. Our guys just stopped because they thought he was tackled and boy, he busted some big plays.
Rodenbough: I think it was a linebacker and a corner hit me at the same time from opposite sides, and they kind of bounced off me because both their energy was working against each other, so I just ran to the endzone after that because nobody was behind them.
Reardan would attempt to drive down the field to tie the game, but Rodenbough picked off an Everett pass and Davenport’s victory was sealed. The Gorillas would move to No. 1 in the WashingtonPreps.com poll, while the Indians fell to No. 3.
The celebration was on for Davenport, and Reardan had to watch their rivals celebrate on their home field.
Perry: I remember running down the bleachers on a dead run and sliding out across the field to go hug all the players. I knew what it meant to our seniors. Despite it being my first year there, you get close with your team. I knew what it meant to them to beat Reardan at Reardan.
Shillam: It was exhilarating and definitely satisfying to beat those guys, because they were always one of the best programs around, and rivals for Davenport… I remember being overjoyed that we won.
Rodenbough: Everybody was jumping on top of each other. That was the most thrilling win we’ve ever had, by far, just because it was Reardan and we weren’t expected to win. We came in scared. We came in nervous, because we were undefeated. We had had a really good season up to that point, and we had no idea what to expect.
It’s hard to put the feelings of the game we won into words, because it was super emotional for us.
As Davenport celebrated, Nikkola gathered his team for a post-game message that would serve as motivation for the team the rest of the season.
Nikkola: That was the best thing that happened to us right there. After the game .., I made them look at those guys. I made them look at the score. I made them look at their celebrations that they were having on our field. There were quite a few of them that were really celebrating. I wanted the team to see that and have it burn in their gut. It changed the direction of our season.
Everett: I remember him saying that, and I remember that happening … Seeing another team celebrate with the No. 1 in the air, it definitely left a sour taste in my mouth.
We were having a good season that year, and a loss never hurts anyone. It definitely humbles them, and makes them motivated to be better.
Next week, The Times looks back to the state semifinal matchup between Reardan and Davenport, where the Indians would exact revenge for their regular-season loss in convincing fashion.
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