Two Valley Teams Jockey For State Berth
Prospects continued to improve last weekend for a pair of Valley football teams.
But both must avoid pitfalls that still lurk over the next two weeks.
East Valley shares first place in the Frontier League, but Central Valley, in third place in the Greater Spokane League, may be in a more enviable position.
A win over Shadle Park at home Friday would give the Bears at least a tie for fourth place. Wins in its remaining two GSL games and the Bears would be assured no worse than third. Top four finishers in league reach the first round of State AAA playoffs.
East Valley’s 29-20 win over West Valley, coupled with losses by previously unbeaten Frontier leaders, put the 3-1 Knights and Pullman atop the league.
But looks can be deceiving. The Knights host Colville (2-1) needing a win to avoid tumbling into fourth. And it will take two victories to secure the playoffs.
Five out of the league’s seven teams could yet claim one of the two playoff spots.
Over the past two weeks CV’s Nate McFarlane has rushed for 238 yards and scored four touchdowns. Included was on a 94-yard kickoff return during last week’s 27-17 win over Ferris.
But it took a fourth-quarter fumble recovery in the end zone by Greg Papich to secure the victory.
Between them, the CV and Ferris rushed for 472 yards. Ferris outgained the Bears 436 to 270 in total yardage but came way with the loss.
The East Valley-West Valley game proved to be a study in contrasts.
The Knights outgained the Eagles 198 to 137 in first-half yardage but trailed 20-10 because of mistakes and a turnover.
In the second half, WV allowed 80 yards of offense but gave up three touchdowns following turnovers. Included was a bad pitch that lost 22 yards and set up the final Knight score.
Rob Gillespie, a senior transfer from Selah, was in the right place at the right time with a 33-yard catch to set up one score and a 33-yard fumble return for another.
Rogers transfer Tristan Beeman continued to lead the Knights in rushing.
“My hat’s off to West Valley,” said Knight coach Jim Clements. “They gave us all they could handle.”
Ty Gregorak proved a load, rushing for more than 100 yards, if you exclude the errant pitch, and did some fierce hitting on defense.
WV lineman Chris Taylor dislocated his knee but was back on the sidelines in the fourth quarter after having it put back in place at the hospital.
He vowed to be back in the lineup within a week.
Titans, Sulzle sizzle
University’s T.J. Sulzle came back ready to run and his teammates responded to the challenge.
Out much of this year with a tender knee, Sulzle made his Greater Spokane League debut during a cross country meet in which the Titans sizzled.
They outraced previously unbeaten North Central and last year’s third-place finisher Gonzaga Prep to move into second place. Sulzle was the third Titan finisher.
“We put three runners in front of Gonzaga’s number one runner and six in front of their third,” said U-Hi coach Bob Barbero of the stunningly easy victories.
James Berry was overall winner and Seth Mott was third, with Sulzle running easily in fifth 30 seconds back.
He was U-Hi’s No. 1 runner a year ago.
Replay
It was Kenny Newitt of K&K Racin’ who finished ninth in the pro eliminator drag races at Spokane Raceway Park.
His name was spelled incorrectly in last Saturday’s notebook.
, DataTimes