Knights Make Good On Chance

Frontier League

It was deja vu when East Valley lined up on the last play of its football game with Cheney for a field-goal attempt.

Only this time, first-year placekicker Randy Pratt’s 31-yarder counted.

The Knights (3-2, 2-1) had overcome a spate of major penalties that earlier obstructed their path for an 11th-hour, 10-7 triumph over the Blackhawks (3-2, 1-2).

“Talk about poetic justice,” said EV coach Jim Clements of Pratt’s kick.

He was talking as much about last year - when a field goal at the end of the game was ruled no good in a 19-16 loss to Cheney - as to the seven major penalties that thwarted EV Friday night.

The Knights got a final chance near midfield with 2:21 remaining to break a 7-7 deadlock. Facing fourth down and three at the Blackhawk 46 with 1:05 to go, they refused to accept a tie.

“Since the loss last year, the only thing that would have satisfied me was to go for it,” said center Paul Shogren.

“I didn’t know what coach wanted but his call was the right choice.”

Quarterback Brian Lamarche completed his only two passes of the second half, both to Trevor Eastman, on the final drive.

The first was a curl for the first down. Then he tossed over the top and, although Eastman was popped immediately by Matt Conrath, he held on for a 21-yard gain to the 18.

Two running plays later Pratt’s kick as time expired split the uprights.

“Last year we were 4-1 with the loss,” said Clements. “Now we’re 3-2, but I’d rather be 3-2 with a win over Cheney.”

He credited defensive coordinator Kerry Hawley with the plan that shut down Cheney’s offense.

“To hold them scoreless until the fourth quarter the way we’ve been playing defense was a tribute to his genius,” said Clements.

The Knights nursed a 7-0 lead from midway in the first quarter until eight minutes remained in the game. Rob Gillespie capped a six-play, 80-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run.

Then came the yellow plague. Penalties cost EV four first downs and more than 80 rushing yards and, at one point, resulted in a field-position swing of 50 yards.

The defense, including several bone-jarring tackles by Rusty Ruchert, succeeded in stopping Cheney three times on fourth down and short to preserve the advantage.

Cheney finally broke through with a 50-yard drive in the fourth quarter to tie the game on a Gino Williams run.

But Pratt punted the Blackhawks back to their 19. They played it close to the vest and the Knights made good on the opportunity.

East Valley 10, Cheney 7

Cheney 0 0 0 7 -7

East Valley 7 0 0 3 -10

E-Gillespie 9 run (Pratt kick) C-Williams 2 run (Reynolds Kick) E-Pratt 31 Field goal ( )

Clarkston 27, Riverside 21

The Bantams (3-2, 2-0) remained unbeaten to share first place in the Frontier League.

They scored on a 42-yard pass from J.D. Burns to Adam Johnson as time expired.

Riverside quarterback Ryan Leaf completed 16 of 27 passes for 140 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for the other.

Running back Troy Patrick gained 140 yards on 24 carries.

Riverside 0 7 7 7 -21

Clarkston 7 7 0 13 -27

C-Wheeler 2 run (Burt kick) C-Johnson 45 pass from Burns (Burt kick) C-Wheeler 2 run (Burt kick) C-Johnson 42 pass from Burns (Riverside scoring unavailable)

Pullman 48, West Valley 15

The prolific Greyhounds (3-2, 2-1) scored three times in the third quarter to pull away from the Eagles (0-5, 0-2).

Slotback Forest Hurlbert caught seven passes for 165 yards and two scores. Cole Sheriden gained 123 yards on 19 rushing attempts and quarterback Aaron Linehan completed 10 of 19 passes for 187 yards and two touchdowns.

WV quarterback Ty Gregorak gained 102 yards on 16 carries.

West Valley 15 0 0 0 -15

Pullman 14 7 21 6 -48

P-Sheridan 5 run (Hurlbert kick) W-Copi 6 run (Inger run) P-Baxter 85 kickoff return (Hurlbert kick) W-Hilsabeck 9 run (Roberts kick) P-Hurlbert 49 pass from Linehan (Brown kick) P-Hobbs 17 pass from Hurlbert (kick failed) P-Hurlbert 78 punt return (Baxter pass from Linehan) P-Hurlbert 21 pass from Linehan (Brown kick) P-Baxter 80 pass from Linehan ( pass)

Post Falls 35, Colville 20

Jimmy Day threw for 361 yards, including a 96-yard TD to Paul Smith, but to no avail for the Indians (3-2, 2-0) in this non-leaguer.

Day also hit Josh Salina for a touchdown, one of four catches for 80 yards by the Colville receiver, and rushed for another.

Post Falls 0 21 7 7 -35

Colville 14 0 0 6 -20

C-Day 1 run (Noble kick) C-Smith 96 pass from Day (Noble kick) (Post Falls scoring unavailable)

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo