Breaks make football
When football teams are of relatively equal talent, it takes a little luck sometimes and certainly key breaks to decide the outcome of a game. Central Valley got breaks that ultimately took them to the state's "elite eight" and cost Gonzaga Prep a playoff berth - remember the fumbled punt and late intercepted pass in that game against CV? Or the six turnovers by Mead in its game at the Bears despite running up and down the field? Lewis and Clark came up with untimely injury that may have denied them a return to the post-season. Think about the overtime outcomes that settled the Great Northern League state qualifiers. That's simply the reality of sport. A bleeder beats you as often as a home run. As someone once said, "I'd rather be lucky than good."
Opportunistic play, it appears, is going to play into this season as well, as last week proved. Central Valley survived a la last year on a late fumble by the rival University Titans. After the bad luck of last year, Gonzaga Prep had things go their way against Ferris.
When afforded the opportunities against Ferris, the Bullpups pounced with 435 yards of total offense and minimized their mistakes with timely defense. They made Ferris pay for having a touchdown called back, losing a fumble in the end zone going for another score - which the Bullpups took to the house almost immediately on Bishop Sankey's 78-yard bolt - and two botched short field goal opportunities leaving a potential 20 points on the table.
The Saxons also lost a fumble following a 20-yard loss and touched down on a punt at their 5-yard line that led to two short porch Bullpups scores.
By contrast, the Saxons squandered 428 yards of offense. They managed just one touchdown off three Prep turnovers (one of them at the Bullpup 19 which they gave right back, blowing another scoring chance; the third following an interception late in the game with an 11-point lead ). And Ferris was fortunate that a 67-yard Sankey run to its 12 yard line got called back, about the only Bullpup penalty that hurt them in the game.
Who was the better team? Gonzaga, obviously. The team executed and capitalized on its foe's mistakes. The bumbling Saxons didn't. That, in a nutshell, will like last year determine who goes farthest this season.