Eagles Defeat Of Clarkston Helps Knights Chances

West Valley’s 31-12 upset football victory over Clarkston last week gave East Valley some breathing room.

The Knights travel to Pullman Friday for a game that will decide the championship of the Frontier League.

Until the Eagle victory, they couldn’t afford a loss and still entertain playoff hopes. Now they can.

Previously winless, WV dominated a Clarkston team that earlier this year beat EV. It was Bantams’ second straight loss.

“We played like I thought we could,” said Eagle coach Steve Kent. “The thing that was nice is we had the football the whole game.”

West Valley limited Clarkston to a negative-4 yards rushing, while the Eagles themselves gained 312 on the ground.

Two fumble recoveries led to a pair of first-quarter scores. A long drive culminated in an early second-quarter touchdown and eventual 28-6 halftime lead.

A Clarkston interception in the end zone and runback to midfield set up the one score or else it could have been 35-0 at half, said Kent.

“We got good offensive line play and the backs ran hard,” said Kent of the outcome.

Despite three non-league losses and a couple narrow defeats among three more losses in league, Eagle players have remained upbeat.

“Our goal was to get the kids to have fun, practice hard and believe they could get the job done,” said Kent. “They’ve hung in there and did it.”

Which was good news to East Valley. The Knights, now 4-1 with one game remaining in league, travel to Pullman Friday against the explosive 3-1 Greyhounds.

Three other teams have two losses.

Pullman is averaging 42 points per game in its wins. Against common foes, Pullman has scored 133 points and given up 85, while EV has scored 105 and given up 62.

Last week the Knights beat Colville 21-14.

“The biggest thing was our defense improved in the second half and shut down their option play,” said coach Jim Clements. “We put great pressure on the quarterback. That’s the big thing.”

It will take that kind of defense again for EV against Pullman. The Greyhounds are averaging nearly 230 yards through the air and 347 yards of total offense per game.

All or nothing

Following last week’s 31-14 loss to Shadle Park, Central Valley’s football game Friday against Lewis and Clark is all or nothing.

A top four finish is at stake when the two teams meet at 8:30 p.m. at Joe Albi Stadium.

The Tigers are part of a three-way tie for second place among teams with 4-2 records. The Bears are one-half game behind in fifth with a 4-3 mark.

CV pitcher gets invite

Central Valley senior Erick Eigenhuis is a member of the Washington state baseball team participating in the Doyle Fall Classic tournament Nov. 8-10 in Peoria, Ariz.

The classic is considered a premier fall tournament for players in the western United States.

Major league baseball scouts and college coaches will be in attendance at the tournament which will be played in the sports complex that is spring training facility for the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres.

Eigenhuis compiled a 4-3 record and 1.71 earned run average as ace of the Bears who last spring finished second in league.

He pitched CV past Mead 4-2 and into the Region IV tournament, and shut out Kennewick 3-0 in the regional semifinal.

Washington’s team is coached by Kansas City Royals scout Jeff McKay, who operates The Baseball Academy in Eugene, Oregon. He will be joined by Ken Johnson, coach at Walla Walla Community College.

Jewell of a goal

Raeanna Jewell’s second-half header for a goal lifted the Spokane Valley Flash to the District 6 girls U-14 soccer tournament championship Sunday in Pasco.

The Flash won 2-1 over the Wenatchee Blaze in the finals. In four tournament wins, the Flash outscored opponents 17-3.

District victory qualified them for the state tournament next March.

Jewell and Jessie Torres were the team’s scoring leaders during the tourney. Goal keeper was Erin Merriman.

Other team members included Kris Perry, Michelle Tidd, Jamie Danelo, Marissa Hatcher, Brynne Boltjes, Kara Jordan, Tasha Warwick, Cheree Walser, Kristy Crabtree and Brianna Scott.

Coaches are Greg Torres, Greg Boltjes, and Paul Danelo.

, DataTimes