Pivotal game Friday for U-Hi, CV

District rivals University and Central Valley renew their long-standing football series Friday in a game that amounts to the season for both.

The host Titans (3-3, 3-2), on a three-game Greater Spokane League winning streak, currently are fourth among 4A schools and in control of their destiny.

The Bears (2-4, 2-3) are part of a four-team tie a game behind them. CV has beaten two of those teams – Shadle Park and Mead – and has the third, Mt. Spokane, coming upnext week.

So both Valley teams need the win on Friday for a chance at a winning season and to maintain postseason playoff hopes.

University last week defeated West Valley 43-7. The Titans scored on their first two possessions and had two touchdowns in each of the first three quarters.

They rushed for 258 yards. Kris O’Connor had over half of those – 131 on 20 carries – and three touchdowns. He’s the GSL’s seventh-leading rusher.

Quarterback J.D. Peterson, the passing yardage leader, was an efficient 7 for 10 for 117 yards. Matt Hanna had 83 of those on four receptions and a score. Hanna and Alex Yerges remain the league’s third and fourth leading receivers in catches and are fifth and eighth in yards.

U-Hi’s defense limited the Eagles to 59 yards rushing.

For the second straight week CV suffered a tough loss to a league unbeaten, this one in a defensive tussle, 10-7 to Gonzaga Prep. The week before the Bears lost 27-20 to Lewis and Clark in an offensive game.

Junior running back Zach Evans gained 92 yards on 28 carries against the Bullpups and had four receptions for 41 more of the team’s 220 total offense. All four catches came during the Bears’ 73-yard touchdown drive in the game’s final 2:22.

East Valley’s stingy defense, which had its second straight shutout, 29-0 over North Central, is allowing a mere 7.8 points per game, best in league.

The Knights (4-2, 4-1) share third place in the GSL and have a two-game lead over the 3A field with four remaining. Tonight at Joe Albi Stadium they play rejuvenated Shadle Park. A win would all but assure EV a playoff berth. Ryan Campbell, ninth in league, rushed for 108 yards, 71 of those on the game’s final touchdown.

Jye Lanphere threw for 173 yards and two touchdowns, 100 of those to Grant Bruscoe who had five catches, including a 44-yard TD.

Freeman goes for sweep

Freeman’s unbeaten football team is seeking a first-round sweep through the Northeast A League when it hosts Colfax on Friday.

The Scotties (5-0, 2-0) beat Kettle Falls, 35-0. Kevin Hatch had four touchdowns, including a 96-yarder to begin the game. He’s scored 10 of Freeman’s 13 TDs in the last four games.

Volleyball title on line tonight

University’s volleyball team, assured of at least a tie for its first Greater Spokane League championship, goes for the outright title tonight at home against Lewis and Clark in its final match of the season.

The Titans improved their record to 12-0 record with Tuesday’s victory over Cheney. Last weekend they finished a best-ever seventh at the 11th annual Crossover Classic. LC placed fourth, both teams losing to Mead.

U-Hi was missing five players, Mandy Daniels, Callie Taylor, Jamie Utesch, Kristina Kielbon and Alyssa Lanker who were taking SAT tests, for all or parts of pool play, but got through it and reached the 16-team championship bracket at Lewis and Clark.

“I wasn’t sure if they’d be here or not,” said coach Amanda Velasquez prior to its first match in the title round. “They’re all here now, thank goodness.”

U-Hi got past Wenatchee, but drew the Panthers in the second round and lost in two games. A year ago the Titans lost to Ferris in the match for seventh and ninth, but turned the tables on the Saxons this year.

East Valley went 1-2 in its pool, beating Medical Lake, but losing to Davenport and Kennewick, and finished tied for 25th. West Valley also was 1-2 in pool play, but beat Evergreen and Kent-Meridian to tie for 39th.

District competition for the top six 4A finishers begins Oct. 21 and qualifies four to regionals the following weekend at Mt. Spokane and Mead.

The 3A districts for four teams are also Oct. 21 with three teams advancing to regionals the next weekend in Cheney.

The Eagles and Knights entered the week second and third among 3A teams. WV clinched a district berth by beating Clarkston Tuesday. Tonight the Eagles are at EV in a match important for the Knights.

Mayer has break-out season

East Valley cross country runner Jo E. Mayer, said her coach Nick Lazanis, has been an unsung story.

She has had a strong junior distance season with two wins and a second place in three Greater Spokane League meets.

Last weekend at the Richland Invitational she broke 19 minutes while finishing third and beat last year’s 3A state fourth placer Brittnee Sanchez of Grandview in a near photo finish.

Mayer finished ahead of all her GSL 3A competition on a course that will be the site of the state qualifying meet in two weeks.

University’s girls finished third behind Mead and Lewis and Clark in the race, with Karen Owens and Leslie Berkseth among the top 25 placers.

In the boys race, EV’s Nick Atwood was third in 15:55, five seconds off the lead. West Valley’s Curtis Fitzhugh finished 18th and EV’s Tyler Thatcher was 23rd.

Club champion decided

Harriet Carbon won match play club championship for Trailhead Ladies Golf Club.

Carbon beat Deanna Hauser for in the title match.

First flight winner was Marcia Rowley and second place was Bambi McDowell.

Second flight was won by Wilma Capaul over Sandi Hatcher. And third flight went to Bev Johnson, with Joy Russell the runner-up.