Wolves Regroup, Edge EV Ross Ignites Offensive Surge As Lc Runs Record To 2-1

The chant, “two and one” resonated across Central Valley’s Sig T. Hansen Field and Lake City High football coach Van Troxel received his obligatory waterbucket shower from his team.

The Timberwolves were, indeed, 2-1 following a 26-22 victory over East Valley that didn’t begin to explain their dominance.

Lake City ran up 374 yards of total offense, 198 of it on 24 rushes by Brian Ross, and punted just once, scoring five times on eight series.

The defense limited a team which gained 462 yards in victory over Coeur d’Alene the previous week to just 223, 150 of that through the air.

First-half mistakes were what kept the game close enough that it took a late third-quarter touchdown by Ross and fourth-quarter field goal for the T-Wolves to win.

“You play how you practice,” said Ross after his hard-charging performance. “Our practice last week before Cheney was horrible. We turned it up this week.”

Ross found clear sailing on sweeps and big holes on quick dives to average 10 yards a carry in the first half.

He capped a 10-play drive with an 8-yard score 4 minutes and 18 seconds into the game, but later fumbled a punt to set up EV’s game-tying touchdown at the end of the period.

“I knew the defense could handle it,” he said of his miscue, “but it was so far in our territory.”

Two dead-ball personal fouls following third downs enabled the Knights to take a 14-10 lead late in the second quarter.

But back came the Timberwolves, behind Ross and quarterback Chad Troxell, to grab a 16-14 halftime lead on Troxel’s 17-yard scoring scamper just 37 seconds prior to intermission.

EV regained the lead on its first series after the halftime break and held the Wolves for the only time in the game.

On its next series, Lake City marched 69 yards, with Ross ripping off a 38-yard run and scoring from the 5-yard line on the next play

“I was really pleased with the way the receivers blocked the option on the outside,” said Van Troxel. “I can’t say enough about that. And our defense was tough. The seniors have worked three years for a chance to have success.”

EV’s Trevor Eastman caught six passes for 105 yards and scored his fourth and fifth touchdowns of the year.

Quarterback Brian Lamarche completed 10 of 25 passes for two scores and ran for the other for the 1-1 Knights.

Lake City 26, East Valley 22

Lake City 7 9 7 3 -26

East Valley 7 7 8 0 -22

L-Ross 8 run (Scott kick) E-Lamarsh 1 run (Pratt kick) L-Scott 35 field goal E-Eastman 36 pass from Lamarsh (Pratt kick) L-Proxel 17 run (kick failed) E-Eastman 31 pass from Lamarsh (Locklin run) L-Ross 5 run (Scott kick) L-Scott 28 field goal

, DataTimes