CV, U-Hi, hopeful after gridiron openers

The 2007 high school football season began with promise for Central Valley and University, one in defeat and the other in victory.

The Bears were beaten 27-21 on a last-ditch score by the Tigers in a Greater Spokane League counter that kicked off the season and had more than its share of thrills.

“I don’t know,” said victorious LC coach Tom Yearout, “but there hasn’t been many (4:30 p.m.) first-game openers with that much energy.”

In a nonleague game, the Titans earned a rare GSL victory over teams from Coeur d’Alene, beating the Vikings 20-14, also with a game-ending touchdown.

Although CV was the victim of three long passing plays, the team answered some of coach Rick Giampietri‘s concerns about its line and unveiled a passing threat in junior quarterback Blake Bledsoe it hasn’t had for a while.

Bledsoe started slowly, completing just 2-of-8 passes and throwing an interception, but he got stronger as the game wore on, hitting seven different receivers throughout the night for 205 yards.

He rallied CV from a 13-0 deficit as a result, the Bears scoring twice in 19 seconds a minute before intermission, on passes to J.C. Agen and Patrick Mealey. And he completed four passes on a game drive that tied the score at 21-21 with 2:08 left in the game.

Tight end Mealey, who had six catches for 53 yards last season, had a breakout game in his season debut. He caught seven passes for 99 yards and the score. And the second-team All-GSL defender from a year ago was a load at defensive end as well, sacking LC’s quarterback three times.

CV fullback and linebacker Tyler Cochran also had a solid two-way game, including a one-handed catch of a ball that covered 22 yards on the final scoring drive. When he was hit, the ball was knocked up in the air, batted down by an LC defender and recovered by the Bears.

University, meanwhile rode its senior experience and a balanced offense to victory against visiting Coeur d’Alene in a back and forth game.

•The Titans scored first on a Danny Jordan pass to tight end Trevor Wakem, led 14-6 on John Wright‘s second-quarter 10-yard run and finally won it on another Jordan to Wakem pass with 11 seconds to go.

In Wright’s debut, the sophomore rushed for 115 yards on 24 carries. Jordan passed for 146 yards on a 17-for-26 performance and rushed for 34 more. Wakem was his main target.

East Valley, West Valley and Freeman began their seasons Friday night, with results in today’s Spokesman-Review sports page.

On Thursday U-Hi plays Shadle Park at Joe Albi Stadium in the first of five straight road games. CV hosts Rogers, and EV is home against Ferris in GSL games on Friday.

Also on Friday, Freeman hosts Newport in a Northeast A League game, and WV is home against Lethbridge.

Club champ determined

Liberty Lake Women’s 18-Hole Golf Club recently completed its three-week club championship.

Sandy Mooney defeated Rose Jones in the match play competition for this year’s title.

First flight winner was Jackie Shea over Honey Conlon. Second flight was won by Maggie Steffy over Marie Nelson.

Net tournament winners were Billie Etter with 72 in the championship flight, Reiko Takamori with 75 in first flight and Dorothy Womach with 79 in second flight.

Nine holers compete

Liberty Lake Ladies Nine-Holer Club conducted weekly medal play.

Audrey Vanos was low gross first flight winner with 53, and Nancy Lampe was net winner of the flight with 37.

Second flight’s Pat Thompson had low gross score of 66, and Emma Long netted 42.

In third flight, Shirley Byus shot 63 to win low gross honors, and Linda Barry netted 37.

Ties at Trailhead

Recent weeks of Trailhead Ladies Golf Club medal play had had an inordinate number of ties among flight winners.

This week was no exception, where Sharron Collins and Mary Anne Evans shared A flight net honors with 32. Marcia Rowley was low gross winner with 50.

B flight was won by Patty Haskins, who shot 52. Iness Walth had a net 28.

Marjo Coy shot 61 to lead C flight. Peg Nadvornick had a net 26.

Trailhead club professional Mollie Thola had a birdie and Bev Townsend a chip-in.