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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Big defensive play lifts EV to victory

Considering his standout, game-long defensive effort Friday night, it was fitting that Brady Brunelle’s interception with a minute to play sealed East Valley’s 19-7 victory over visiting Cheney in a game between Greater Spokane League 3A classification teams.

Because it wasn’t until then that the Knights could rest easy, knowing the game-breaking capabilities of Brett Igbinoba and the sea of yellow flags that took the Knights out of their offensive rhythm.

Igbinoba had rushed for 460 yards and six touchdowns, including a 70-yard dash and 92-yard kickoff return in three previous games.

“He’s quick,” Brunelle said. “All week we were working on trying to contain outside.”

Brunelle was a big part of that containment on a punishing defense that by midway through the third quarter had limited Cheney to 45 yards of total offense.

EV built a 19-0 lead on its bread-and-butter running game, but also the arm and feet of quarterback Jye Lanphere.

Then came the flags, mainly for holding, that enabled Cheney to take good field position and have a shot at a comeback. The Knights were penalized a total of 136 yards on 15 penalties and it cost them nearly as many yards because several nullified huge gains and created dramatic field position shifts.

Needless to say, EV coaches were not pleased and the combined 211 yards in penalties by both only enhanced the intensity of this slugfest between traditional foes.

“We won and that’s the point,” said Knights coach Adam Fisher. “It will be interesting to see the video. Obviously the eye in the sky never lies and we’ll see where we need to correct things.”

The Knights had their first drive blunted by a hold, but scored a couple minutes later after Cody Irby recovered a fumble at Cheney’s 13 and Lanphere rolled right for a 5-yard score.

Two possessions later Lanphere threw a perfectly placed ball between Blackhawks defensive backs, Grant Bruscoe ran by his defender, gathered it in in full stride and completed the 75-yard TD.