University, tied for third in GSL, faces LC Friday
Ian Williamson had a big hand in University’s 20-13 victory over Central Valley. His kickoff return set up one touchdown and the senior wide receiver passed for the winning score.
But he had other things on his mind when talking about the game after it had ended.
“This is all for Mike Conrad,” said Williamson. “When I saw Mike get hurt against Ferris, it tore me up. I know how much that kid loves to play. This whole game was for him. The whole season is for him.”
Conrad, a junior wide receiver and defensive back was in his second starting season when he broke his arm against the Saxons. He had led the Titans in receiving his sophomore year and now had to watch helplessly as the game unfolded.
But he can still remain an inspiration to the team which today seeks a fifth straight victory.
Friday’s victory over CV tied the Titans (4-3, 4-2) for third place in the Greater Spokane League and set up the pivotal 4:30 p.m. game against second-place Lewis and Clark at Joe Albi Stadium.
That game is followed by the Central Valley-Mt. Spokane encounter that the Bears (2-5, 2-4) must win to maintain what glimmer of hope remains for a playoff berth.
Four teams make postseason and Gonzaga Prep is in. The remainder depends upon how the final three GSL games go among seven contenders, the Titans and Bears, if ever-so-slightly, included.
Unlike CV, U-Hi’s fate is in its own hands and Williamson kept it there with his pass to first-year player Matt Hanna for the winning TD.
“Matt’s gone crazy, joining up his senior year and coming off like he’s been playing his whole life,” said Williamson.
And though the Titans weren’t expected to be in the shape they’re in for the GSL football stretch run, Williamson was having none of it.
“They told us we were ranked 11th in league,” he said. “We were going to prove them wrong. That’s what you’ve got to do. Ranking’s just a number. It’s about the heart of the team.”
Knights vs. Eagles
The Spokane Valley spotlight shines at West Valley Friday night when the Eagles renew their long-standing rivalry with East Valley.
For the first time since 1998, the two teams are in the same 3A classification. The teams played each other as league foes for some 30 years, much of it in the AA Frontier League
EV beat WV in their most recent meeting in 2002, and also in 1999. The Eagles last beat the Knights in 2000.
The Knights (4-3, 4-2) will try to move a step closer to the state playoffs. WV will try and play the role of spoiler. The Eagles are seeking their first win of the season after just missing one last week against Clarkston.
Sophomore Camron Bowman rushed for 118 yards and a first-half touchdown, and junior Phillip Gannon added 49 yards rushing in the 14-7 loss.
The Eagles held Clarkston to just 14 rushing yards and a total of 105 yards of first-half offense.
Freeman can improve lead
The second half of the Northeast A League football season begins Friday for the Freeman Scotties.
They travel to Newport against the second-place Grizzlies, the only team this year to have scored against the Scotties.
Last week, by a score out of character in recent Freeman-Colfax games, the Scotties rolled 48-0. Kevin Hatch scored five more touchdowns and kicked six extra points during the victory.
District volleyball next
With the GSL regular season ended, 11 of the league’s 14 teams advanced in one form or another to postseason play.
Among them are league champion University, which hosts a match on Friday at 7 p.m. A win over the lowest seeded team to advance from Thursday would qualify the Titans for a 4A regional berth.
League No. 2 3A seed East Valley plays North Central Thursday, 5:30 p.m. at Cheney with that winner also qualifying for regionals.
West Valley plays Cheney in a loser-out game, also at Cheney. The winner advances against the EV-NC loser at 7 for a second 3A regional berth.