Thrillers lead GSL into final week

With so much riding on the Greater Spokane League football showdown between second-place teams Central Valley and Gonzaga Prep and the nerves the contest engendered, it seemed inevitable that the outcome would come down to which team committed the last gaffe.

The host Bullpups made two mistakes in the game’s final 6 minutes Friday night, enabling the Bears (7-1 overall, 6-1 GSL) to rally for the lead and hang on at the end for a 24-23 victory that brought them closer to one of two regional playoff games for potential state berths.

G-Prep fumbled away the football on its first three possessions, fell behind 6-0 as a result and trailed 14-7 at halftime. But the Bullpups (6-2, 5-2) played with a passion on both sides of the ball in the second half and took a 21-17 lead early in the fourth quarter.

The mistakes that plagued them early came back to haunt them at the end as a fumbled punt at their 10-yard line enabled the opportunistic visitors to take the lead, and an interception inside a minute remaining thwarted G-Prep’s possible winning drive 6 yards short.

Even then, G-Prep had another shot after CV elected to take a safety and kick the ball away with 31 seconds to play, but a miracle wasn’t forthcoming.

“I’ll tell you, every time we come here (it’s like this),” said a relieved CV coach Rick Giampietri, recalling a game a few years ago when the outcome was decided by an overtime field goal. “I wasn’t sure if I made the right decision taking the safety, but it panned out for us.”

The game was physical and exciting, but also filled with miscues. There were lost fumbles on the first four series, the Bears giving one right back right at the G-Prep goal line as Michael Williams strained for a touchdown on a 14-yard pass reception.

G-Prep’s second fumble, a bad pitch from David Stockton to Bishop Sankey, set CV up at the 19, and this time the Bears took advantage. Blake Bledsoe hit Brad Whitley for the game’s first score.

The lead lasted into the second quarter as G-Prep relied primarily on the legs of John Lampert to go up 7-6. Lampert carried the football 16 times in the first half for 106 of his 157 yards and the score. That enabled Stockton to throw over the top, completing a pass of 55 yards to Travis Long and another for 32 yards to Jack Wilson that led to the TD.

CV regained the lead when Bledsoe and Whitley hooked up on a 38-yarder and the quarterback found another favorite target, J.C. Agen, for 16. Five plays later and including a two-point conversion to Agen, it was 14-7.

“J.C. is a big-bodied receiver. I threw him a quick slant and he was pretty good about blocking out their little corners,” Bledsoe said.

After that, however, moving the football became difficult. G-Prep came out inspired after intermission, stuffing CV’s offense and moving the ball behind its powerful line when the team had possession.

The Bullpups had a huge first defensive stand and, following a shanked punt, covered 35 yards to tie the score.

Other mistakes ensued. CV failed on a fake punt run, and the Bullpups got a punt blocked that led to Blaze Vela’s 43-yard field goal.

But G-Prep ground out a 73-yard drive, spelling Lampert, who would pack the ball 28 times, with Travis Long and Bishop Sankey.

Sankey scored for the second time giving Prep the lead, but fumbled the punt that led to Bledsoe’s sneak for a 24-21 lead.

East Valley 62, Rogers 21: The Knights (5-3, 5-3) wrapped up the No. 1 3A seed and a home stay for the playoffs by rushing for 430 yards and scoring big in the first and third quarters for their regular season-ending victory.

GSL rushing leader Nick Bellomy carried 25 times for 286 yards and three touchdowns. Chris Zivic also scored three times and Jake Latusek twice. Cody Peterson rushed for 94 yards and scored on an interception and pass reception for the visiting Pirates (1-7, 1-6).

Mt. Spokane 49, Shadle Park 12: Taking a page from the Knights, the Wildcats (4-4, 3-4) piled up 427 yards on the ground.

Colten Williams gained 124 and scored four TDs while Nate Blackham had 128 on seven carries and a score. That left Mt. Spokane as No. 2 3A regional seed and the Highlanders (2-6, 2-5) as No. 3, earning a rematch with the Knights in the first postseason round.