CV KOs University, delivers LC a state berth
Trailing Central Valley by three points, University had first-and-goal with time running down, 7 yards away from a possible postseason football berth.
But in a blink of the eye their season was ended by host CV sophomore Brad Whitley.
Whitley intercepted a pass with less than a minute remaining that broke U-Hi’s heart and saved the Bears’ 20-17 win Friday night.
Both teams finished with identical records, 4-5 overall and 4-4 in the Greater Spokane League.
As if the game itself weren’t big enough – four skydivers dropped in on Greasy Pig Trophy rivalry night and CV’s homecoming – the playoff seasons of both the Titans and interested spectators Lewis and Clark, who now have a game Friday in Pasco, rested on the outcome.
It wasn’t just Whitley’s pick that caused despair among the Titans and elation among Tigers. It came immediately following an offensive interference penalty that cost U-Hi 15 yards, a down and likely the game.
“I saw Ken Wood run a 10-yard hitch and knew Danny (Jordan) was going to go to him because he’s a senior and their leader,” said Whitley of his final indignity, a 50-yard return. “So I just bit on it, hoping I don’t get beat and took it to the house. Almost.”
Before that, it was diminutive senior running back Shon Davis who was the Bears’ King for a Night. In between rushing for a career-high 212 yards on 31 attempts, he was crowned homecoming king at halftime. Davis likely earned a few votes from the South Hill.
Davis said he beseeched CV coach Rick Giampietri to let him leave the halftime locker room and accept his crown.
“I was worried about it all week,” he said. “I kept begging coach, ‘Coach we’re going to win this game. Please let me go out so I can go get my crown.’ “
Davis carried the football seven times for 47 yards and CV’s first touchdown midway through the first quarter. By halftime he had gained 122 yards on 17 attempts, and the Bears were in front 13-10.
The margin could have been greater. CV missed a field goal and extra point. U-Hi’s touchdown came on two plays that covered 60 yards in less than 20 seconds after CV had gone ahead 13-3 with 55 seconds left until half.
The Titans took the lead 17-13 early in the third quarter on the legs of Davis’ counterpart, Tyler Carlson. Carlson had 141 rushing yards, 102 of them coming in the first half, and both TDs.
But Davis, who scored one touchdown and set up the other two, had a 30-yard burst to start CV’s first possession of the final quarter. It led to the winning touchdown, by fullback Tyler Cochran, with 10:03 left.
“The offensive line had to make something happen,” said Giampietri. “We got things together, got some traps through there and power football through there.”
CV’s defense made enough plays at the end, including Whitley’s interception to hang on.
“He came up with a great play and it was neat to have a sophomore make it,” said Giampietri.
“The LC guys were a little excited down on the sideline, weren’t they?”
Ferris 48, Rogers 14: Jeff Minnerly tied a single-game GSL touchdown record shared with five other quarterbacks when he passed for five TDs.
The Saxons (8-1, 7-1) fell behind the Pirates (0-8) immediately on D.J. Gaines’ 80-yard kickoff return before scoring seven unanswered TDs.
They finished with 453 yards of total offense, Minnerly with 254 through the air. McKenzie Murphy rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
Ferris is second in the GSL and hosts Moses Lake, 1 p.m. next Saturday at Albi Stadium for a state berth.
Mead 34, Mt. Spokane 28: The Panthers (4-5, 4-4) rallied from a 21-10 third-quarter deficit to beat the Wildcats (3-6). They won on their final series of the game, a 76-yard drive.
QB Matt Johnson hit Nick Proen on a 60-yard pass completion and Chris Jones punched it in.
Mt. Spokane gained 312 rushing yards, 225 by Brandon Jared on 21 carries. He scored three touchdowns, including on a 1-yard plunge to put the Wildcats back ahead 28-27.
Johnson completed 6 of 9 passes for 162 yards, and Proen had four catches for 118 yards. Mead had 396 total.