BLACKFOOT — The Blackfoot Broncos boys soccer team lost its first game of the season last Saturday to Skyline, a team the Broncos had beaten 3-1 in Idaho Falls Aug. 30.

    Blackfoot returned to the pitch with a vengeance Tuesday, defeating the Bonneville Bees 7-2 in Blackfoot.

    To make matters worse in the loss to Skyline, the defending 4A state champions  starting goalkeeper and an attacking forward each received red cards, an automatic ejection for the district game against Bonneville.

    But on senior day, the Broncos depth shined through and Blackfoot improved to 9-1-1 overall and 3-0 in the 4A Fifth/Sixth District.

    Plus, Blackfoot still had its midfielders and defenders along the backline to rely on for defense, which has allowed a district-low 13 goals this season.

    It was the offense, though, behind four goals from senior Andy Garcia that carried the day for Blackfoot.

    After the first five minutes, the Broncos leaped out to a 2-0 lead.

    First, senior Everado Bartolo sent a cross in on a free kick that sophomore Jordan Garcia buried away with a header.

    Then Andy Garcia, barely two minutes later, had an open run into the box. A point-blank shot rebounded off the right cross bar, Garcia picked up the loose ball and casually finished his first goal and the game’s second.

    Just like that, the Broncos had blitzed its district rival.

    “Blackfoot, Bonneville, we want to set the tempo,” Broncos’ head coach Liam Pope said. “Because if we didn’t, we knew Bonneville was going to. For 10 minutes, I think we     did set the tempo straight-away.”

    For the rest of the half, the Bees — now 1-10-1 overall, 1-2 4A Fifth/Sixth District — toughened defensively and trailed 3-1 at half.

    “I think we were a little bit too nice at times,” Pope said. “We got two goals up and then we went a little bit quieter. ... We didn’t perhaps have the same teeth that we usually do. I think at times, when the tempo dropped, we didn’t have enough teeth or aggression.”

    In the second half, Blackfoot amped up the pressure and Garcia continued to attack Bonneville’s net. He broke through in the 51st and 53rd minutes, scoring his third and fourth goals of the game.

    “He’s on fire. I mean, (Garcia) got (four) today. He got four against Idaho Falls. He just reads the game well,” Pope said.

    Garcia’s final goal capped off the exemplary performance. Bartolo sent a pass hard and low, seemingly to no one, until Garcia bounded in to knock the ball in with his left foot.

    “His touch, I mean a couple of his touches were sublime,” Pope said. “He’s picking the ball out of the air, killing it and turning it all in one motion. ... (Eight) goals in three games, but one of the games, he didn’t even score, period.”

    Blackfoot puts its unblemished district record to test against Rigby Thursday. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m.