The Hermiston Bulldogs were expecting a close, low-scoring game with the Lewiston Bengals, but what they got was a shootout in Lewiston.

Lewiston (3-0) ended up on top 55-45, though the squad led by as much as 24 over Hermiston (0-2) in the contest.

The Bulldog offense again moved efficiently through the air, but the squad turned the ball over five times – four on fumbles – and couldn’t make up the difference.

Junior Ena threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns in the loss and also ran in a TD himself. Tyler Green ran for the squad’s first score, Luis Ortiz received two touchdown passes and kicked a field goal and Johnny Kayembe also received a TD pass.

“It was a track meet,” coach Mark Hodges said about the game. “Honestly if you said we were going to put up 45, I’d say we were going to win the game handily. We did think it was going to be a close game.”

Hodges said the team will pay special attention to hanging on to the ball next week in preparation for the league opener with Bend.

“It’s not like we haven’t worked on it,” he said. “One thing we had on the chalk board before the game was win the turnover battle.”

Hodges said the Bulldogs also lost the battle of the big play, though both teams found some long plays.