November 9, 2004 in Sports

WIAA football playoffs

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Today’s games

Class 4A

All games 6 p.m.

Kennewick (7-3) vs. Gonzaga Prep (9-1) at Albi Stadium

The statistics favor the Greater Spokane League champion Bullpups and Prep coach Dave Carson hopes there is something beyond the numbers.

“I like our chances,” he said. “We’ve had that thing going for us all year, and it’s still there. It’s an intangible.”

The tangibles Kennewick has in its favor include running back Terrence Jackson, who led the Big Nine in rushing most of the year until being passed the final week. Jackson ended the season with 1,236 yards on 226 attempts, including eight touchdowns. However, Jackson accounted for 49.5 percent of the Lions’ yards, as Kennewick was 10th in the league in total offense. They were fourth in defense, including No. 1 in rush defense, giving up just more than 100 yards a game on the ground.

The Pups’ rushing offense had the lowest yards-per-carry average of any GSL playoff team, but it also featured the best big-play duo in quarterback Billy Karwacki (more than 20 yards per completion and 13 touchdown throws) and receiver Brandon Kennedy (32.7 yards per catch on 13 receptions, nine for TDs). University of Idaho-bound tight end Kellen Beam also averaged more than 10 yards a reception.

Walla Walla (6-4) vs. Ferris (7-2) at Central Valley High

The Saxons’ chances revolve around their run defense, statistically the GSL’s second-best. But they haven’t faced a team that pounds it like Walla Walla. “It’s like watching Woody Hayes play,” Ferris coach Clarence Hough said. “They use a full-house, double tight (end) look and hand the ball to the fullback.”

That fullback is Jake Klingenberg, the Big Nine’s leading rusher with 1,254 yards. He carried it 272 times, most in either league by almost 50 carries. But quarterback Kenny Baisch can throw it as well, hitting more than 50 percent of his 109 throws.

The Saxons counter with the GSL’s total offense leader, quarterback Caleb Rath, who completed more than 63 percent of his throws for 1,247 yards and added 593 yards rushing. The Blue Devils yielded the most passing yards (1,703) in the Big Nine.

Shadle Park (6-3) vs. Southridge (8-2) at Lampson Stadium, Kennewick

The last three times the Highlanders made the playoffs, they’ve played the Suns, including last season when Southridge prevailed 21-14 at Central Valley High.

Shadle Park comes in winners of five consecutive games since an overtime loss to GSL champ Gonzaga Prep. The Highlanders also feature the league’s best passing tandem in quarterback Josh Powell (110 of 199, 1,358 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions) and wide receiver Andy Largent (a GSL-leading 606 yards receiving on 42 catches). But Shadle isn’t completely healthy at running back, with leading rusher Brian Kranches (563 yards on 95 carries) having played sparingly the past three weeks. He is expected to play tonight, teaming with Ryne Kiter (465 yards on 80 carries) to fuel Shadle’s rushing attack.

Southridge isn’t all that healthy either. The Suns, second in the Big Nine in total offense and defense, rely heavily on sophomore quarterback Jason Munns.

“He’s an impressive specimen,” Shadle coach Mark Hester said of the 6-foot-5 sophomore. “If you give him time, he’ll sit back there and pick you apart with the great receivers they have.”

But Munns suffered a shoulder injury two weeks ago in a loss to Kamiakin, though he played last week in a 20-17 win at Walla Walla. But he didn’t play well, hitting just 8 of 22 passes with two interceptions. He finished the regular season leading the Big Nine in passing (126 of 228 for 1,872 yards, 26 touchdowns and six interceptions). The Suns’ defense, though stingy about yielding yardage, was sixth in points allowed (21 per game) in the league.

University (6-4) vs. Pasco (9-0) at Edgar Brown Stadium, Pasco

The No. 1-ranked Bulldogs were the team no one in the GSL wanted to play and there’s little wonder why.

“They are as good as everyone says,” U-Hi coach Mike Ganey said after viewing tape.

Pasco led the Big Nine in defense (211 yards and 12 points a game) and offense (436 yards and 46 points). The Bulldogs had two running backs with more than 1,100 yards (Leon Jackson, 1,135 yards, 13.5 average and 13 touchdowns; Tony Coburn, 1,131 yards, 9.5 average and 20 touchdowns), two quarterbacks (Shayne Kelly and Steven Martinez) who threw for more than 500 yards and a defensive back (Jason Schadler) who led the league in interceptions (five). Plus they are at home.

The Titans started slowly, but won six consecutive games until last Thursday’s loss to G-Prep. Kris O’Connor anchors the defense from his middle linebacker spot and was fourth in the GSL in rushing (901 yards on 149 carries). Matt Hanna led the GSL with 45 receptions (577 yards) and six TDs. Quarterback J.D. Peterson finished third in the league in passing yardage (1,310) and completed 54.5 percent of his throws, though his 13 interceptions (vs. 9 touchdowns) led the league.

Class 3A

All games 6 p.m.

West Valley-Yakima (9-1) at East

Valley (7-3)

The Knights are making their first post-season appearance since 1996, a 35-25 loss to Prosser. This is the Rams’ fifth straight playoff trip.

EV is young and not extremely big, but the feisty team is coming off its second consecutive 7-3 season. The Knights led the Greater Spokane League in total defense, rushing defense and passing defense. Offensively, they led the league in scoring with 258 points, were second in total offense and rushing. Junior quarterback Jye Lanphere had one of the Greater Spokane League’s top efficiency ratings, throwing 11 touchdowns. Sophomore Ryan Campbell was sixth in rushing with 808 yards and junior Brady Brunelle added 483.

WV-Yakima quarterback Phil Jennings threw for 1,158 yards and 10 touchdowns, six to Brandon Sears who averaged 24.1 yards per catch, with 26 for 626 yards, and scored nine touchdowns. The Rams’ leading rusher Joel Wolfard ranked 10th in the Mid-Valley League with 410 yards and six touchdowns on 66 carries. Coach Bob Asthuler said numerous players factor offensively, but defense is their forte. WV allowed more than 20 points in just one game and lost 17-14 to Prosser.

Clarkston (5-5) at Prosser (10-0)

This is both Clarkston’s and Prosser’s second straight state appearances (Prosser’s 15th since 1987), both having gone 1-1 last year and losing to Kennedy.

The Mustangs are a balanced team whose quarterback, sophomore Kellen Moore, passed for 1,855 yards and 29 touchdowns. They also got a combined 1,657 yards rushing from Ivan Merino and Jared Hancock. Merino was the Mid-Valley scoring leader with 18 touchdowns and 111 total points. Four receivers accounted for 107 of Moore’s 139 completions, Miguel Perez and Bud Sexton with a combined 67 receptions for 918 yards and 11 scores.

Clarkston will counter with quarterback Jason Curtis, who became the GSL’s fourth all-time career passer, moving behind Mark Rypien, Whitworth star Joel Clark and Central Valley assistant coach Mike Pfeifer with 4,480 yards during his three-year career. His main target was Mark Reiner with 37 catches for 505 yards during a year when injuries sidelined two starters. Kyle Beggs leads rushing with 537 yards.

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