Bears, Braves Clash Today

When Central Valley and Kamiakin meet today in the State 4A football playoffs it will be a classic case of the irresistable force meeting the immoveable object.

The force, in this case, is CV’s junior back Tyree Clowe. Clowe has rushed this year for 1,754 yards and 32 touchdowns. He’s gained over 200 yards in each of his last three games.

“You can’t tackle him up high,” said teammate Nate McFarlane, “I’ve tried.”

The only blip on a remarkable season was the game the Bears lost to Gonzaga Prep, 24-14. Clowe gained just 6 yards.

Clowe will be the object of attention of Kamiakin’s immoveable defense. In defeating 10-0 Prep last week, the Braves limited a normally potent ground game to 105 yards.

“We’ll stick with the same thing,” said Clowe. “I just think we have such good blockers, no matter how good they are we should get a run off.”

This year’s Kamiakin team is different from the previous two that defeated the Bears in other state playoffs.

The Braves don’t have a quarterback the caliber of Scott Mitchell. Their running game doesn’t feature a true tailback.

“Their quarterback beat us for two years,” said CV coach Rick Giampietri. “They are more a power game with two fullbacks.”

Kamiakin has beaten teams instead with a defense that shortens the field and takes advantage of mistakes.

The Bears, however, throw the football better than Gonzaga. Their running game has improved since the game against the Bullpups with the insertion of Wil Beck on offense.

“Wil had a great game both ways against Pasco,” said Giampietri. “If we’d done that all year he’d have been an All-State offensive lineman.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: 1 P.M. START Central Valley plays Kamiakin at 1 p.m. today in the State 4A football quarterfinals at Lampson Stadium in Kennewick.