Clarkston, Cheney win in 3A GSL matchups

Clarkston and Cheney set the 3A Greater Spokane League tone with victories in the first games among like classification football opponents Friday.

The Bantams (2-0), on a 45-yard fourth-quarter run by junior back Kyle Beggs, fended off visiting North Central (1-1), a 3A newcomer, 15-6. The Blackhawks (2-0) extended their domination of West Valley (0-2) with a powerful running attack and 35-3 triumph.

The Clarkston-NC game was close, the only difference, until Beggs’ run, a safety when the Indians snapped a ball out of the end zone in the first quarter.

Both teams had second-quarter touchdowns, Brayton Zipse on a 27-yard run for the Bantams and Shane Thomas on a 37-yard pass from Greg Conley for the Indians. Both teams missed two-point conversions.

Clarkston held NC to just 56 rushing yards and 142 yards total.

Brett Igbinoba continued to chew up yardage for Cheney, gaining 173 yards on 23 carries, including gains of 34 and 41 yards in the first quarter that set up two Luke Just-to-Mike Kinnie TD passes.

Leading 14-3, Igbinoba scored twice in the second quarter and once in the third to cap his evening. Cheney ended up with 330 ground yards.

WV had 168, including 102 on 14 carries by sophomore Camron Bowman.

The next 3A matchup is Sept. 24 when Cheney travels to East Valley, back in the classification for the first time since 1998.