Central Valley QB Deyarmin comes on during opening win

A year ago, Central Valley quarterback Gaven Deyarmin was recovering from an emergency appendectomy.

Even when he returned four games into the football season, it took him some time to find his stride.

Deyarmin looked like a faster, stronger version of what he was last fall Friday, leading the Bears to an impressive 45-25 victory over the visiting Mt. Spokane Wildcats in a Greater Spokane League and season opener for both teams.

“I did track in the spring to get the speed back on purpose and that helped a lot,” Deyarmin said. “We worked hard in the weight room. The whole team pushed each other over the summer.”

CV coach Rick Giampietri made it a point to talk about Deyarmin first.

“He played well,” Giampietri said. “He had a rough start with that (interception) but he came through and threw the ball well. He’s worked hard. He’s been an ironman for us. He picks up reads well. He’s healthy and running the best he’s ever run. It’s nice having him back in the fold and ready to go. That was a huge difference.”

Deyarmin completed 11 of 18 passes for 184 yards and a touchdown. He also showed off his improved foot speed, rushing seven times for 77 yards including TD runs of 10 and 23 yards.

Tyler Green intercepted an early Deyarmin pass and returned it 35 yards for the game’s first TD. After that, Deyarmin couldn’t be stopped.

Both teams scored three TDs in the first half, but the difference in CV’s 24-19 lead at halftime came on the foot of junior place-kicker Austin Rehkow, who made 3 of 3 point-after kicks and then ended the first half with a 50-yard field goal that needed a kind bounce off the crossbar to go through.

In the second half, CV’s defense, which played poorly in stretches in the first half, settled down and tackled better. The Wildcats didn’t score until 3 seconds remained in the game.

“We made a little adjustment at halftime,” Giampietri said. “They were kind of one dimensional – either a wide sweep or the quarterback up the middle. We just beefed up the middle a little bit and tackled better.”

What also pleased Giampietri was the play of a young offensive line.

“The line was pretty much all new so it took them a little bit to get going,” he said.

Deyarmin also praised the offensive line.

“They established the line of scrimmage,” Deyarmin said. “I thought they were the key to our success tonight. They got the running game going which allowed me to do the play action and get the ball down the field. The whole game goes to them. They’re MVPs.”

CV plays host to Mead next week in a matchup of preseason heavyweights. Giampietri watched the Panthers dominate North Central 47-7 on Thursday.

“We’ve got the gauntlet now,” Giampietri said. “Mead has a lot of speed.”

Lewis and Clark 49, Rogers 22: The Tigers broke open a 14-14 game with four straight touchdowns in the second half at Albi Stadium.

Running back Ammar Johnson rushed for 178 yards on 19 carries and two TDs to lead LC. Quarterback Jeff Livingston completed 15 of 19 for 250 yards and two TDs.

Running back Luke Rogers led the Pirates with 149 yards on 24 carries and two TDs.

Gonzaga Prep 41, Shadle Park 19: The Highlanders led 12-7 at halftime, but it was all Bullpups in the second half at Albi.

Shadle Park used long touchdown passes of 77 and 75 yards to build the lead at intermission.

In the second half, though, G-Prep’s flexbone, behind quarterback Zach Bonneau and running back Griffin Hare, chewed up the Highlanders.

Hare rushed for 167 yards on 30 carries and four TDs and Bonneau finished with 167 on 31 attempts and a touchdown.