East Valley overcomes setbacks, looks for playoff run

All eyes were on Friday’s first-place Greater Spokane League football showdown between Gonzaga Prep and Ferris.

But, at the same time, the league’s two 3A teams, East Valley (3-2) and Mt. Spokane (2-3) were winning to set up a showdown game on Thursday that will in all likelihood determine the GSL’s post-season qualifier.

The Knights have been beset by disappointment and injuries, but dispatched Central Valley on Friday with relative ease, 38-7.

“Needless to say we played with chips on our shoulders,” said coach Adam Fisher. “We’re two plays away from being (5-0) where we thought we’d be.”

EV has lost two starters, receiver Scott Bunkelman and linebacker/state wrestling runnerup Clete Hanson for the season because of injuries and two others are limited.

Mt. Spokane, which played well in two close games to 4A playoff contenders University and Lewis and Clark before beating Rogers, has an easier closing schedule.

“This week is huge,” said Fisher. “If we win this game we’re two games up and two games (left). (The Wildcats) will pull out every stop because they have to win.”

Big step for Bullpups

The 24-10 win over Ferris, putting Gonzaga Prep in the GSL driver’s seat, was a take on that old business saw about location, location, location.

“Field position. Field position. Field position,” said coach Dave Carson, following the victory.

The Bullpups had short-yardage scoring possessions of 30, 27, 14 and 30 yards, a product of great punting and Ferris turnovers.

But that doesn’t take away from the impact of the defensive efforts by both sides.

Gonzaga willingly gave up short-yardage passes in order to avoid being burned long.

“We kept everything in front of us and didn’t give up any deep balls,” said punting star and defensive back Dave Kries.

The Bullpups, including Spencer Savage and Travis Long (who also had an interception), kept pressure in the backfield. And except for a game-opening 65-yard touchdown run, they allowed just 64 more on the ground.

The Saxons’ defensive front also showed why they are a playoff contender, limiting Gonzaga to 137 yards of total offense (including one pass reception of eight yards). Carson had high praise for defensive end Pat Parham.

“I think our kids learned we could play with anybody,” said coach Jim Sharkey. “A big game comes down to turnovers and penalties and we had some crucial ones.”

Unbeaten numbers will be halved

Four teams came out of the second week of Great Northern League football unbeaten. That number will be cut to two on Friday.

Colville travels to Pullman (both 5-0 overall) in a game featuring two of the league’s premier players.

Last week Pullman quarterback JT Levenseller accounted for 225 yards and passed for three touchdowns at Medical Lake. Colville running back John Roberts gained 274 rushing yards on 26 attempts and had four touchdowns against West Valley.

Other GNL unbeatens are newcomers Clarkston and Cheney, who play for a share of first place at Cheney.

“Reardan’s two remaining Northeast 2B football obstacles are both on the road. This Friday in a game between remaining league unbeatens, the Indians are at Lind-Ritzville.

“There’s still a lot of Blue Mountain League (1B) season to go as evidenced by LaCrosse-Washtucna’s easy win over Jubilee Academy. Six teams are separated by a game behind unbeaten St. John-Endicott. The surprise team has to be 3-1 Garfield-Palouse which last year won one game.

Statistics update

Ryan Campbell’s three touchdowns for East Valley against Central Valley gives him 248 points for his career, third best in GSL history.

In case you missed it

Ferris and Mead boys cross country teams did nothing to diminish their lofty national status, finishing first and third, respectively, in Saturday’s prestigious Stanford Invitational in California.