CV not undone by NC change

The Central Valley Bears were expecting one type of offense from the North Central Indians but got another Friday night.

NC came out passing much of the first half with a quarterback CV wasn’t familiar with.

But the Bears adjusted and used a strong defense and a methodical offense to cruise to a 49-13 nonleague football victory.

“They played a whole different offense than we thought they were going to play,” said CV coach Rick Giampietri. “We thought they’d be an option team and we prepared for that all week. We got a thrower and a zone team, so it was different than what we prepared for.”

CV made the proper adjustments, though.

“It took us a while,” Giampietri said. “We were playing tentative and we weren’t going after (the quarterback). Then we got geared in and played well the rest of the way.”

Tucker Stout got CV on the board early when he read a Shane Pethers pass attempt and took an interception to the end zone.

“They ran (that same play) twice and they brought in a new (quarterback),” Stout said. “He motioned out to my side and I could see it so I just went for it.”

Stout, who doubles as the starting safety and wide receiver, later hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass from Tanner Sloan.

Braedon Orrino had two touchdowns for CV. His first one was an 18-yard reception. He followed that up with a 23-yard touchdown run.

Cameron Tucker scored on a 20-yard touchdown pass to extend CV’s first-half lead. Jordan Talafili – listed as an offensive lineman – punched the ball in from 2 yards out.

North Central’s only first-half score came when Khanian Charlton ran in from 37 yards.

CV went into halftime with a 42-7 lead and extended it after Gage Connole ran in from 7 yards out. NC then moved the ball well and Austin Scally scored on a 6-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jack McBride, who took over for Pethers in the first half.

It was CV’s defense that impressed. The Bears picked off three passes with one of them Stout’s pick-6.

CV’s depth was problematic for NC, as multiple receivers and running backs shouldered the load for the Bears.

“We don’t drop off much from one receiver to another, so that’s been good too,” Giampietri said.