East Valley High Climbs Over Lc

A football team is going to experience peaks and valleys during the course of a season.

And East Valley faced an uphill climb during the second half of Friday night’s non-league 28-14 victory at Lake City.

The Timberwolves held Knights star running back Jesse Ewell to just 20 yards rushing in the first half, but the 205-pounder wouldn’t be denied after halftime.

Ewell scored three times in the second half en route to 119 yards on 14 carries.

“We were just kinda on our heels the whole game,” Ewell said. “We weren’t getting off the ball.”

East Valley coach Jim Clements agreed.

“I don’t think our concentration level was where it should have been,” he said. “It was a question of our kids getting their heads screwed on, and finally going out and playing like they’re capable of.”

Lake City was held to minus 39 yards in the third quarter.

The Knights’ third-quarter defensive effort was keyed by the play of linebacker Ty Franklin who had back-to-back quarterback sacks; kicker Todd Hughes, who recovered a fumbled kickoff return; and defensive end Jason Knopp’s quarterback sack.

Ewell gave East Valley the lead for keeps with 7:23 to go in the third quarter. His 17-yard TD run capped a 9-play, 64-yard drive.

Franklin sacked Timberwolves quarterback Dave Nelson, who was named homecoming king at halftime, for losses of 16 yards. On fourth-and-25, Lake City punted.

The Knights took over on the Timberwolves’ 40, and Ewell scored on the first down. “I just flew out there,” Ewell said. “I told them (in the huddle) if the blockers would hit, I’ll score a touchdown. It felt pretty good.”

Knopp’s sack forced the Timberwolves into a fourth-and-18 punt situation on Lake City’s ensuing possession.

East Valley reached the end zone three plays later, as senior Billy Armtrout gained 26 yards on two carries, which gave the Knights a first down on the Timberwolves’ 6-yard line. Ewell’s TD with 11:21 left in the fourth quarter, followed by Hughes’ PAT kick increased the lead to 28-7.

East Valley outgained Lake City 266-143.

“I’ve got nothing but good feelings about where we’re at,” Timberwolves coach Van Troxel said. “We’re 0-3, but the one thing everybody says is we’re not going to quit. One of these days, we’re going to put together four quarters.”

The Knights (2-0) open Frontier League play Friday at Clarkston. Lake City (0-3) travels to Moses Lake for a non-league game.

East Valley 28, Lake City 14

East Valley 0 7 14 7 28

Lake City 0 7 0 7 14

EV-Legrant 13 pass from Lamarche (Hughes kick)

LC-Granier 5 run (Keefer kick)

EV-Ewell 17 run (kick blocked)

EV-Ewell 40 run (Armtrout run)

EV-Ewell 6 run (Hughes kick)

LC-Bushnell 4 run (Keefer kick)