Despite loss, WV coach confident
Since 1998, West Valley’s last winning season and only the second since the late 1980s, the Eagles have won a total of seven football games and been winless three times.
Craig Whitney, in his second year as head coach, has vowed to be an agent of change and from the results of their season opener, there is reason for hope.
The Eagles lost their 24th straight game dating back to 2002, but it came in overtime, 28-21, to Mt. Spokane, a team that has had its share of Greater Spokane League success over the years.
“We’re close to bridging the gap from where we were last year to the point we want to be,” said Whitney. “We need to develop the mentality that we’re going to win the games we should and win the games that are close. It’s kind of a learned trait.”
Both teams scored twice in the second quarter for a 14-14 halftime tie and the Eagles led 21-14 after three quarters. They also had an opportunity late in the game after the visiting Wildcats tied the game.
“Defensively we played outstanding on the last two series, but didn’t produce when we needed to with 1:23 left,” said Whitney. “They made a great stop on us with fourth and one in overtime, but I believe the tide is turning.”
Look up and down the roster and this WV football team has more athletes, including basketball and baseball standouts, than in recent memory. And coaches, said Whitney, did a good job of fitting them into positions to have more on the field. Sophomores and newcomers have provided depth.
“At a small school you definitely need to share the top athletes if you want to be competitive in all programs,” said Whitney.
E.J. Richardson, a 6-foot-6 senior basketball post is out for the first time. He caught two passes for touchdowns, including a 42-yarder from Cam Wieber that put the team ahead in the second half.
“Cam did a good job of visiting him,” said Whitney. “He kept working on him all summer and wasn’t going to take no for an answer.”
Wieber, WV’s returning quarterback completed 9 of 17 passes for 128 yards and rushed for the other score. Veteran backs Phil Gannon and Camron Bowman combined to rush for 139 yards on 18 carries.
The Eagles totaled 291 offensive yards behind guards Steven Clark and Corey Lewis, center DJ Mackie, tackles Ryan Town and Nathan Nordby and tight end Tyler Hobbs, only two of them cracking 200 pounds.
“I think our offensive line did a tremendous job,” said Whitney.
Last year, said Whitney, the program was down as far as it could be. Few games were close but the staff worked hard to improve the program. It showed in WV’s season opener.
“They feel good about how they battled, but feel bad because they want to win games,” said Whitney. “We’re still a little ways off from being where we expect to be, but I have a good feeling about the direction we’re headed. We will continue to grow and win a lot of games.”
Big games to open GSL
All four Valley teams play important games in their Greater Spokane League season openers that will set the tone for the season.
Central Valley, the only Valley team to win during last week”s nonleague games, plays league favorite Mead Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Joe Albi Stadium.
“It’s not the end of the world this Thursday,” said coach Rick Giampietri, “but it means the more hole you dig the more you have to play solid as the season goes on.”
The Bears have perhaps the toughest schedule, facing all the GSL contenders again this year, except Ferris.
“If we beat them all it’s not a problem,” said Giampietri with a chuckle. “That’s kind of our theme.”
He was encouraged by CV’s 19-16 overtime win in Sandpoint. The Bears got a 131-yard rushing night out of Zach Evans, who scored all 19 of CV’s points. He broke tackles, had two touchdowns, including the overtime winner and a pair of field goals.
“Sandpoint is not as experienced as they were, but are good,” said Giampietri. “Our kids kind of wore them down in the second and fourth quarters. Zach exploded for 90 yards in the second half. We blocked some plays well and he ran better than they blocked.”
When all was said and done, Giampietri added, he felt the Bears dominated the game more than the score indicated.
West Valley is home Friday against Cheney in a game with 3A implications out of the chute.
“East Valley is very, very good,” said Whitney. “It comes down to the other four 3A teams.”
East Valley, a 34-20 loser in Coeur d’Alene, is home Friday against Gonzaga Prep. The Bullpups allowed just 49 yards of offense, winning 20-0 Monday in Seattle over Bellarmine Prep.
Junior Ryan Campbell rushed for 136 yards on 26 carries and a touchdown and Josh Polello kicked a pair of field goals, but the defense allowed 491 yards.
University also has a tough game, hosting one of the GSL’s preseason favorites, Ferris. The Saxons routed last year’s 4A state champion Evergreen 42-14 in Seattle on Monday.
Other sports begin
Volleyball began Tuesday and continues tonight for the Valley GSL teams.
Defending league champion University lost to Gonzaga Prep on Tuesday in a replay of their third and sixth place match last year at state. The Titans are at Ferris tonight.
CV beat Clarkston in three games Kayla Reilly leading in kills and Samantha Kern in assists and service aces. The Bears are at defending state champion Mead tonight.
EV lost as expected to title contender Lewis and Clark on Tuesday and is at G-Prep tonight. WV was beaten by Mt. Spokane and is at Cheney tonight.
Soccer teams played their first GSL contests on Wednesday and will begin league in earnest next week. U-Hi is ranked among the top four title contenders, EV will seek to duplicate last year’s state qualifying success.
The All-Valley cross country meet is at Liberty Lake County Park Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. League races begin next Wednesday.