Eagles Looking For Win Over Clarkston To Qualify For Playoffs

Thu., Nov. 2, 2000

By Mike Vlahovich mikev@spokesman.com (509) 927-2180

The West Valley football team has placed itself in a situation rare for them.

With a victory over Clarkston at home tonight, the Eagles qualify for the State 3A football playoffs.

The last time that happened was in 1987, which coincided with WV’s last victory over Cheney.

Friday’s stunning 15-7 win over the Blackhawks left WV the only one of three Washington playoff hopefuls able to control its own destiny this week.

“It’s kind of like, `What do you want to do at the end of the year?”’ said coach Tim Trout of what he was going to tell his team.

The answer? “Just win and go on.”

Beating the Bantams would mean a WV sweep of all three Washington schools, a winning 5-4 record and playoff game at home next Tuesday despite the fact Cheney will likely finish higher in Border League standings.

A weighted scoring system is in place that awards 2 points for a win over a Washington foe, 1 for a win over one from Idaho.

Both the Eagles and Cheney have five points, and Clarkston four, going into the final games.

“We’ll find out if we belong in state,” said Trout of tonight’s impending finale.

Will Clarkston’s foe be the Eagles that beat EV and Cheney or the Eagles that fumbled its way to a loss in Moscow?

“Physically we’ll be OK,” said Trout. “If we can make the mental adjustments we can hang in.”

Clarkston is a good throwing team that Trout said withered against Cheney under an incessant pass rush. WV’s victory over the Blackhawks was a case of having fewer turnovers and playing a virtually penalty-free game.

“We hope we can ride that emotion right now,” said Trout.

The Eagles ended their 13-year drought against Cheney by leading 8-7 at half on a safety and the first of two Matt Risley touchdowns.

One play after surrendering a fourth-quarter interception, WV got the ball back when Risley pounced on a fumble. The Eagles drove for an insurance touchdown.

Risley rushed for 164 yards and had 12 unassisted tackles.

But this win wasn’t about individual heroes.

“I guess the best thing I can say about it is that it was a team victory,” said Trout. “Certain people played great football, but we had to be superb together to win. There were great efforts by all of us.”

Victory put the Eagles in a rare recent position to extend their season after having expected to do so in the years between 1975 and ‘87.

“I don’t think they even have a clue,” said Trout of the prospect. “There are no `what-ifs.’ If we win we go. It’s pretty exciting for us. It was cool.”

Seasons over for soccer teams

West Valley’s foray in the 3A regional soccer playoffs was brief.

The Eagles, No. 2 entrant from the Frontier League, lost at home 5-1 to Eastmont Tuesday to end their season.

WV had been blanked on Saturday 2-0 by district champion Cheney on goals 10 minutes apart near the end of the first half and early into the second.

Shots on goal were nearly identical during the game.

Shootouts continued to be unkind to University, whose season ended last Friday in the District 8 4A semifinals to ultimate district champion Mead.

The Titans, played well, but lost for the second time in a shootout this season.

Mead prevailed 3-2 to advance to state competition this weekend.

Eagle volleyball complete

West Valley’s volleyball team ended its season with one win in two matches during the District 7 3A tournament.

The Eagles earned a rematch against Colville, whom they beat earlier this year, with a victory over Clarkston, but couldn’t win a second time against the Indians.

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