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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bears D-Line Ready To Snag Panthers

Mike Vlahovich Staff Writer

It’s too early to bill Friday’s Central Valley-Mead football game as the Greater Spokane League championship, but for immediate impact it will do.

CV plays Mead at Albi Stadium at 8:30 p.m. Both teams are unbeaten after one game.

“They pose more problems defensively,” Bear coach Rick Giampietri said of the Panthers. “Mead has a powerful running game and has great speed in its receivers.”

The keys, said Giampietri, are whether CV’s offensive and defensive lines can dominate the way they did against LC.

“And we have to defend the pass better,” he said.

Giampietri praised his defensive front, particularly 250-pound Bob Perkes and 260-pound sophomore Will Beck, whom the Tigers double teamed.

“Bob played well and Will knocks over people by accident,” he said. “Our linebackers hardly got any running plays.”

Others up front were John Jolley, John Hemmert and Nate Bartlett.

Bartlett is a transfer from University, who started the last game of the season at quarterback as a Titan sophomore. The 207-pounder has found a home on CV’s defense.

“I knew he was an athlete and a little ornery. We needed help there,” said Giampietri. “I don’t know if he’d ever form tackled before this year.”

Rick Giampietri Jr., out with a shoulder separation, is still being assessed on a weekly basis and is doubtful for Friday’s Mead game.

“I’m so sick and he’s sick,” said Giampietri of the first-week, non-contact injury. “He was the most ready I’ve seen him. He was ready to show how much better. It’s tragic.”

Mead has held the upper hand in past close games, including last year, but Giampietri likes his chances.

“I feel we’re a better team than last year, all across the board,” said Giampietri. “If that’s the case we’ll get this one.”

Perkes, one of the many sizeable linemen who helped CV rush for 328 yards last week and limit LC to 37, light-heartedly agreed.

“We’re going to win because we have the best fat kids in the county,” he said.

, DataTimes