Prepwatch : Special teams strikes again
(Posted, Sept. 24) Last week I noted that special teams plays and turnovers would factor in this year’s Greater Spokane League football outcome.
That certainly was the case when Gonzaga Prep lost to Central Valley, and it was again when Bullpups shocked University with a 95-yard kickoff return and 85-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter to come back 20-17.
Victory was major for the Bullpups and denied the Titans, who dominated statistically, a share of the GSL lead.
So we have Ferris (4-0, 3-0) on top, followed by Lewis and Clark (3-1, 3-1) and CV (3-1, 3-1), Gonzaga Prep (3-1, 2-1), U-Hi (3-1, 2-1) and Mead (3-1, 2-1). It doesn’t get much closer.
Key games this week: Mead vs. U-Hi tonight at Albi Stadium and Ferris at Gonzaga Prep on Friday.
“Who can catch Lakeside? Right now it looks like the next two weeks will determine if anyone will. The Eagles play Freeman, which already has two losses, and once-beaten Kettle Falls. Having already beaten Colfax in their only meeting this season, Lakeside has the inside track.
Winning the ones you should
(Posted Sept. 21) Prior to football season’s start Sean Carty noted that games his Mead Panthers expected to win last year got away from them late for a variety of reasons (conditioning being one of them).
At any rate, Carty figured that reaching the playoffs was merely a matter of winning a couple of those games this year that they lost last year.
If Thursday night was an indicator the Panthers have a chance to do so. They beat East Valley in a big way, 40-6. Last year the Panthers won 28-24.
Next up for Mead are three of the teams that beat them last year – University, Ferris and Gonzaga Prep. It’s all part of the “Murderer’s Row” section of the season that will determine this year’s three 4A playoff teams.
Favored Ferris has a string of games that includes Prep, Mead, U-Hi and Central Valley in succession.
The Bullpups face the Panthers Oct. 12.
Tonight’s game with Mead wraps up a string of four straight road games for University. The team then has four straight at home, including Ferris and CV over the final three weeks of the season.
The Bears have two winnable GSL games upcoming. They finish their season against Ferris at Albi and the rival Titans.
By surviving a rugged start to the season by winning two of three games, LC is potentially in the best shape. Barring a stumble the Tigers have only Gonzaga, in their season finale, left among playoff contenders.
So let the debate begin. Which three teams will play the Columbia Basin League for state berths?