CV Gets Set For Two Tough Football Games
Central Valley must get down to basics for its final two Greater Spokane League football games.
“The next two weeks are blocking and tackling weeks,” said Bear coach Rick Giampietri.
On successive Thursdays the unbeaten Bears play their two closest pursuers, Gonzaga Prep and Lewis and Clark. Both have grind-it-out, ball-control styles that have resulted in a combined 14-2 record.
“This time of the year is the strong part of the season for LC and Gonzaga, too,” said Giampietri.
Each poses a distinct problem for CV defenders. First up is Prep’s option game tonight. CV and Prep play at 7:30 p.m. at Joe Albi Stadium.
“Most offenses, the guy with the football, you go get him,” said Giampietri. “What’s scary about the option is it makes you defend somebody who doesn’t have the football. If you don’t, you’re sunk.”
The Bullpup offense is built around Valleyite Kevin O’Connell.
Gonzaga’s quarterback is a 6-foot-2, 212-pounder who has rushed for 848 yards and is second in the league in total offense.
“He’s just a load,” said Giampietri. “He breaks a lot of tackles and drags people for gains.”
He also has the ability to pitch outside to another back when a team thinks it has him tackled.
The 7-0 Bears are at least the physical equal of any league team, witness its 56-12 romp over rival University. CV led 21-0 after a quarter and 49-12 by halftime. Nick Mattioda ran back two kickoffs for scores after CV built leads of 35-0 and 49-7.
“I was surprised it was that much because they played (unbeaten) Pasco tough and Pasco is obviously a pretty good football team.”
Like their remaining foes, the Bears have been predominantly a running team behind Tyree Clowe, who has 983 yards in six league games. He rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns against U-Hi.
CV set him up, however, by striking early with the pass. Chad Adamson completed 10 of 12 for 192 yards. If anything sets the Bears apart from its two remaining challengers, that is it.
“Chad can throw,” said Giampietri. He’s getting better every week.”
Tonight, CV’s offensive line must figure out Gonzaga Prep’s blitzing schemes and block well for Clowe. The defense must neutralize Prep’s blocking schemes and stop O’Connell.
It’s just a matter of basics.
Tough Frontier losses
East Valley has now lost two successive, exasperating football games. Last week, West Valley followed suit.
Turnovers have been the Knight bane, 12 during the two losses which knocked the team from Frontier League title contention.
Last week’s killer against Cheney during the 21-14 loss, was a first-down interception at the Blackhawks 47 with 3:13 remaining in a tie score.
The Knights had tied the game on a ground-pounding 80-yard third-quarter drive. Coach Jim Clements defended his decision to throw.
“I felt it was open,” he said. “We had been living by run, run, run, run, run. I felt the element of surprise was with us.”
It was the fourth of five Knight interceptions. They also lost two fumbles.
WV didn’t harbor any title illusions but Friday’s 15-14 loss in Clarkston was no less agonizing.
The Eagles led 14-7 and had the Bantams pinned at their own five yard line with just over two minutes remaining.
It took just over a minute for Clarkston to pass the length of the field and score. A two-point conversion won it.
WV had played so disappointingly the week before against Cheney, said coach Steve Kent, that coaches challenged the team to perform.
“We told them to leave it on the field,” said Kent. “That’s why it’s so disappointing we lost the game. They did that.”
Small school cross country
Two-day district cross country meets conclude today at Hangman Valley Golf Course with Freeman boys and girls seeking state berths.
Top three teams and 15 individuals for boys, top team and five individuals for girls advance. Allotments are based upon numbers of participating teams statewide.
The Scotties and runners John and Joe Russell are among the boys state hopefuls. First race is at noon.
, DataTimes