Postseason appearance in Titans’ sights
At the beginning of the season, the University Titans were picked 10th out of the Greater Spokane League’s 14 football teams.
But, as Ian Williamson said last week, 10 is just a number.
After beating Lewis and Clark 17-14 for the team’s fifth straight victory, U-Hi enters tonight’s game against North Central at Joe Albi Stadium tied for second place and with a chance remaining for a share of its second league title this decade.
It would take a win over NC, and a Gonzaga Prep loss to the Tigers on Friday to keep that dream alive. Regardless, a fourth postseason berth in the last seven years is within reach.
Since 1997, the Titans have had only one losing league season – last year when injuries proved detrimental. With several experienced players returned, Mike Ganey said prior to the season’s start that improvement this year seemed likely.
Then injuries hit again and they began 0-3, including a nonleague opener at Lake City. They haven’t lost since, and last week’s win over LC was U-Hi’s biggest to date.
J.D. Peterson threw two touchdown passes to rally the team from a 7-3 deficit and the defense limited LC’s Ethen Robinson, the GSL rushing leader at the time, to 60 yards on 20 carries.
As a result, the Titans are one of three teams, picked in preseason to finish eighth or lower, to remain in the playoff picture. And unbeaten Gonzaga Prep was picked fifth.
That’s why they play the game.
Titan Kris O’Connor is fifth in GSL rushing through seven games, with 601 yards, 34 yards more than sixth-place sophomore Ryan Campbell of East Valley. U-Hi’s Matt Hanna is third in receiving yards with 395 on 33 catches and with five touchdowns.
Peterson is third among passers with 992 yards on a league-high 95 completions. EV’s Jye Lanphere is seventh among quarterbacks with 788 yards but second in touchdown passes with 10. And he’s second in quarterback rating.
East Valley (like U-Hi 5-2 in the GSL) secured top seed into the 3A playoffs with a sweep of the 3A league members, 41-12 win over West Valley.
The Knights are the top scoring team in league, are third in total offense, remain first in total defense and second in scoring defense behind the Bullpups.
Freeman recorded its sixth shutout in seven games, beating Newport 33-0, the team that scored twice against the Scotties earlier. They host Kettle Falls Friday, a win securing the Northeast A League title.
EV moves on in soccer
East Valley’s soccer team completed a 7-6 GSL season under second-year coach Jeff Rose and now hosts Hanford today in the eight-team 3A regional soccer playoffs that will qualify two teams to state.
The Knights dominated Cheney 5-0 on Tuesday to earn top seed into the regional that includes three GSL and five Mid-Valley League teams.
Katlyn Laughlin, on a breakaway, maneuvered the left side to score unchecked midway through the first half.
Thirteen minutes later Kim Bendio was challenged out front by Cheney’s goal keeper, beat her to the ball and had an uncontested shot on goal.
Laughlin’s penalty kick near the end of the half gave the Knights a commanding 3-0 lead.
EV kept the heat on, outshooting Cheney 18-6 in the game and scoring twice more in the second half on short goals by Lindsey Jacobs and Kayla Perno.
“I thought it would take longer than this,” said Rose on getting his team into regionals. “But we had so many seniors, which is kind of nice. Hopefully it’s just the beginning.”
He said Lucy Giblette and former Blackhawk Laughlin in the middle make things work, that Jacobs anchors the defense and Naomi Varney provides an offensive spark. She had 12 goals this year, including a hat trick last week.
The Knights had their first winning GSL season since 1999, their first in the league.
Four for volleyball
Four Valley volleyball teams play for state berths this weekend.
University is seeded No. 2 from the Greater Spokane League in the eight-team 4A regional and will open at 8:30 Friday night against Pasco at Mead. The tournament continues on Saturday at Mead and Mt. Spokane with four teams advancing to state.
West Valley, No. 2 from the GSL, plays West Valley-Yakima, and East Valley, No. 3, plays Prosser at 11 a.m. Saturday at Cheney in the six-team 3A tournament that qualifies two teams to state.
Freeman plays at Mead Saturday in the District 7 tournament that qualifies teams to state.
Harriers seek state
State qualification races are next for local cross country runners as well.
On Saturday Greater Spokane League schools are in Richland where four 4A boys teams, three 4A girls teams, and two 3A boys and girls teams, plus individuals, advance.
East Valley’s boys will be among the favorites to qualify for the annual race in Pasco, Nov. 6.
Freeman and Valley Christian compete Friday at Alta Lake Golf Course near Pateros in North Central Washington. At stake are two 1A boys team berths, four Class B boys berths and four 1A/B girls berths, plus individuals.