BEND – After two weeks of disappointingly close losses, the Hermiston Bulldogs finally got the whole show together Friday and opened Intermountain Conference play with a 45-6 victory over the Bend Lava Bears.

The offense was there, tallying 457 yards in the game and scoring 35 points in the first half.

The defense was definitely there, keeping the Lava Bears out of the end zone until the final seconds of the game.

With the lead from wire to wire the Bulldogs didn’t have rely on the passing game as heavily and Tyler Green reaped the reward, putting up 163 yards on the ground.

Junior quarterback Faafiula Ena, who hasn’t thrown for less than 300 yards in a game yet this season, passed just 12 times and completed nine for 167 yards.

Hermiston’s defense bounced back from allowing 55 points to Lewiston last weekend and kept the Lava Bears on their heels.

Mark Rademacher and Johnny Kayembe both had interceptions in the contest and Nate Barak picked up a fumble.

The Bulldogs host The?Dalles-Wahtonka next Friday in hopes of evening out their overall record while staying in first place in the league. Bend goes to Mountain View looking to get a first league win.