The Bengals open a new field with a dominant victory

The Lewiston Bengals opened their new field the same way they closed the old one – with a lopsided victory.

Lewiston posted a 291-137-15 record at Bengal Field before leaving the turf field behind two weeks ago. The Bengals are now 1-0 on their new turf.

The first touchdown scored Friday at the new P1FCU Sports Complex was scored by Avrey Cherry of Lake City. After that, it was all Lewiston as the Bengals won 38-21.

Lewiston (5-3) scored 38 straight points and scored a touchdown on all five first-half possessions in a lopsided home win.

The history books will be littered with Cole Arlint’s name. The senior scored the first touchdown, extra point and field goal for the Bengals at the new Sports Complex.

“Feels good, man. I’ve always wanted to do this, to be the first to do something,” Arlint said. “And hopefully later this season I can attempt the school record for a field goal, which is 44 yards.”

Completely new atmosphere

Not only did Lewiston move from grass to grass, but everything else about the players on the field had a new and improved feel.

Before the game, LHS hosted a tailgate party outside the gym. Fans could participate in a game of cornhole or roll a bowling ball around a carpeted lane set up by the Bengal bowling team.

Several food vendors lined the hall to give attendees a chance to grab a bite to eat as the rest of the facilities around the complex are not yet completed.

The prelude was filled with flashing lights and Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” blared from the speakers.

“It was pretty cool, man. It was just crazy,” Arlint said. “Like the students, the lights — I think it’s just so nice to have a new department and one of the best departments in the state.”

During halftime there were homecoming festivities and a performance by the Lewiston marching band.

More importantly, it was standing room only. Yes, there are currently fewer bleachers in the new complex than at Bengal Field, but even if all the bleachers were available, it would have been difficult to find a seat.

“It was crazy, wasn’t it? … They got the fire truck with the flags and there’s just stuff everywhere. Man, that was crazy,” Lewiston coach Matt Pancheri said. “Everything is banal. It’s hard to concentrate. That’s why I’m proud of our children for keeping a clear head.”

Offensive dominance

Statistically, Lake City (4-4) has one of the best defenses in the state of Idaho. The Timberwolves had not allowed more than 17 points in a single game this season.

Those stats took a hit after the Bengals finished. Lewiston scored twice as many points in just one half of football as any other team in a game against the Timberwolves.

“We’re pretty quick and we thought we could get some kids open and make some plays and I think that’s the result,” Pancheri said. “They were tough on everyone. We had a good game plan and our kids played really well. You know, that’s good for them because it’s a chaotic week.”

Arlint scored the first Lewiston score at the P1FCU Sports Complex on a shovel pass from quarterback Jeremy Yoder late in the first quarter.

Lewiston got buzzed on its second drive of the game with a one-two that ended with a 49-yard touchdown pass from running back Austin Topp to Nathan King.

Noah Carpenter scored less than three minutes later, rushing down the middle of the field behind the secondary and receiving a 35-yard touchdown reception from Yoder.

Lake City fumbled the ball on the second play of the ensuing drive and Carpenter took no time to score. On the very next play, the senior fired a 27-yard rush to the house.

The Bengals forced a three-and-out and used the remainder of the first half for an eight-play, 44-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown run by Topp.