Key Plays By Bledsoe Bury U-Hi

Although Adam Bledsoe is just another cog in the Eisenhower Cadet football wheel, University High discovered what he could do in a crunch.

The visiting Cadets beat University 31-6 in the non-league opener for the Big Nine and Greater Spokane League schools, largely on the strength of their running game.

When they needed him, Bledsoe delivered.

His 25-yard dart over the middle, grabbed ably by tight end Cas Heilman, preceded the game’s first score.

Later, a 13-yard bootleg for first-and-goal set up his 1-yard plunge for a 14-0 second-quarter lead.

Then, with time expiring in the half, Bledsoe hit Dirk Bernd for 36 yards with Titans defender Mike Turner hanging all over him.

Two plays later, it was Bledsoe rolling to his left and rifling a 6-yard pass to tight end Nick Brown that broke open a close game.

“He doesn’t have to win for us, but when it’s needed, it’s zoop, zoop,” said his coach, Greg Gavin. “He’s a great ball handler.”

University had failed to capitalize on two early fumble recoveries at the Cadets 30 before Ike took a two-touchdown lead on the rushing of backup tailback Eric Zahler and Bledsoe’s big plays.

The Titans scored in the second quarter, covering 80 yards, all but 5 of it on the rushing of junior tailback Tim Buchanan.

In his varsity debut, Buchanan gained 156 yards on 23 carries.

Eisenhower’s win was typical Gavin football - pound you with a large and experienced line out of the I-formation.

“We’re spreading people more,” he said. “It’s more an offset I with a one-back counter that integrates well with our isolation and pitch.”

In the second half, Eisenhower kept it on the ground for all but three plays on three series. Zahler scored 20 points.

“He was the difference,” said Gavin of the 190-pound junior.

, DataTimes