CV Bears Must Beat Puyallup To Get To State
Central Valley continues to explore heretofore unfamiliar ground with its appearance tonight in the State 4A football semifinals.
“Every game we play is gravy,” said Bears coach Rick Giampietri. “You always hope to get here.”
The 11-1 Bears became the fifth Greater Spokane League school to reach the semifinals in the state football playoffs. Only Gonzaga Prep, a five-time finalist, has gone more than once.
CV plays top-ranked Puyallup at 7 p.m. in Joe Albi Stadium.
Until this year CV had never won a playoff game. Last weekend it completed a three-game sweep of Big Nine schools to advance.
CV will be an underdog to the No. 1 team in the state, although recent history has been kind to Eastern Washington teams.
“It’s so tough to get out of the Big Nine,” admitted Giampietri. “In 1995 we thought we had a team that maybe could have done the same thing. Kamiakin upsets us and plays in the first Gridiron Classic.
“Richland was third in its league last year and was in the finals. We’ve been pretty representative. Anything can happen.”
What must happen if CV is to play in Tacoma for the state title is for the Bears defense to contain the passing of quarterback Luke Huard and his talented receivers, Jesse Looker and Todd Elstrom.
Three years ago it was Huard’s brother Brock who was passing to Looker’s brother Dane. Brock Huard now plays quarterback at the University of Washington. Luke has signed with the University of North Carolina.
“We have to get to the quarterback,” said Giampietri. “If not he’ll pick you apart. He’ll just throw the ball up and his receivers’ll run under it.”
CV’s more physical line will be asked to push Puyallup’s offensive front into Huard to negate his quick drop passes. The Bears also must contain small but speedy tailback Jeremy Swann.
Offensively, CV will try to control time of possession.
“We’re going to have to score more than 16 points,” said Giampietri. “They’re the kind of team that can score three touchdowns on you right away. But we can’t panic if we fall behind.”
Since losing in league to Gonzaga Prep, the Bears have been playing their best football. They beat Wenatchee, Pasco’s passing game and Kamiakin’s ball control style, forcing the Braves to the air, in successive playoff games.
During the latter game the Bears had success rushing against a team that had stopped Prep cold. And they came within an eyelash of passing for four more touchdowns.
They’ll face a Puyallup defense that uses an eight-man front and plays man-to-man with its secondary.
Only four teams remain in the quest for a state title. It’s a time of year, said Giampietri, when any team is capable of winning and lucky breaks will play a part.
“You kinda wonder if you can beat this team or that team,” said Giampietri. “Our guys were encouraged after they saw films.”
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