Rogers Defense May Be Key To Upsetting Cv
Rogers has played well enough in two games to consider itself the equal of Greater Spokane League teams.
Tonight at 7:30 at Joe Albi Stadium, the Pirates face yet another challenge when they play pre-season favorite Central Valley.
“I can’t wait,” said coach Dave Pomante. “We’ve played two pretty good games and get another chance to find out how good we are.”
Moving the football in seasons past hasn’t been a Pirate problem. Scoring has. This season, however, the team has averaged nearly 34 points per game, losing in the final seconds to Mead and holding off North Central last week 33-25.
“I thought we had enough skill to mix things up and put the ball in the end zone,” said Pomante. “What we need to do against CV, obviously, is to keep scoring points. And we need to improve on defense.”
Defensive inconsistency has enabled opposing teams to make big plays against the Pirates. A 45-yard reverse for touchdown by Mead receiver Joe Zelinski helped bring his team back from a 28-14 deficit.
“That was the pivotal play in the game,” said Pomante. “We were improved against NC but still gave up three or four big plays.”
Central Valley, he admitted, is big and physical and is deep at running back and receiver.
“That’s why they’re picked to win it,” said Pomante.
Rogers hopes to chew up the clock with its ground game, taking advantage of Mike Dorton’s quickness. He’s already rushed for 287 yards in two games.
But the Pirates can pass if need be. Quarterback Brett Oglesbee has thrown five touchdowns already.
“I’m real optimistic about what’s going to happen this week,” said Pomante.
Already smarting from a 56-7 loss to CV, Shadle Park opens tonight’s Albi twin bill against unbeaten Gonzaga Prep at 5 p.m.
Prep is considered a primary contender for the league title.
North Central plays Lewis and Clark at 5:45 p.m. Friday. Mead travels to Davis of Yakima in a non-league game.
They’re b-a-a-a-c-k
Two down years apparently was enough for Shadle Park volleyball.
Led by kills leader Michelle Etter, the Highlanders won five of their first six Greater Spokane League games. They were tied with Ferris for second place before losing to the Saxons on Tuesday night.
Shadle still has contender Gonzaga Prep and Lewis and Clark remaining on the first half of its 18-game league schedule.
Already the team has won more games than it did all last year and equaled the number of victories of the previous season.
Etter has averaged 16 kills per match, including 30 in a five-game win over Rogers and 21 in three games with North Central.
Unbeaten Mead, last year’s third-place state finisher, handed both the Highlanders and defending champion Saxons their initial losses.
The Panther-Highlander rematch is next Tuesday at Mead.
Great Northern debut
Riverside draws a tough Greater Spokane League football opener when it hosts Chewelah Friday.
The Cougars, last year’s Northeast A League champion, beat Frontier League champion and league newcomer Pullman in their opener.
Riverside is 1-1 in non-league competition, including last week’s 21-3 win over Deer Park.
The Stags, 0-2 for new coach Doug McGill, host Colville in league.
Lakeside, fresh off a 53-6 romp over Kettle Falls, are 1-1 for new coach Brian Dunn. The Eagles open at home against winless Newport.
, DataTimes