State football: Central Valley continues 4A quest against Skyline

Central Valley had some tough roads to travel this football season.

The Bears were poised to finish among the league’s top three, but most suspected CV would trail Gonzaga Prep, which had the makings of the team that took the State 4A championship two years ago.

“They (the Bears) were doubted most of the year,” Central Valley coach Ryan Butner said. “They had a little chip on their shoulder for most of the year.”

The fifth-ranked Bears were fueled by the doubt and took down G-Prep 24-14 to post a 5-0 record among GSL 4A teams this season.

CV’s performance put it back in the state tournament for the first time since 2015 when it fell in the first round to Richland.

Now the Bears are looking for a comeback in a tournament that has already thrown them some tough obstacles.

In the first round last week, the Bears were paired with defending state champion Camas. The Papermakers fell 22-15 and folded under CV’s tough ground attack led by running back Hunter Chodorowski, who had 156 yards and touchdown for the Bears.

“Anytime we play a team outside of our region … especially a team as well respected as Camas and we can get a win, I think it adds a little confidence to our kids,” Butner said.

CV (9-1) will host Skyline of Sammamish in a quarterfinal at 1 p.m. Saturday.

No. 14 Skyline (8-3), which lost to G-Prep in the 2015 state championship, executes a strong passing game behind junior quarterback Joe Green. He is averaging 202.3 passing yards and has connected on 68.8 percent of his attempts (172 of 250) this season.

“They have a good running game and then their receivers are tall, and their quarterback, he’s got a great arm,” Butner said. “They’re pretty balanced in what they can do. They’ve always been tough offensively.”

The winner will face either G-Prep or Richland next week in the semifinals.

Richland at Gonzaga Prep, 1 p.m. Saturday: The seventh-ranked Bullpups (9-2) feature a strong ground game behind senior running back Kasey Anthony and quarterback Connor Halonen, who rushed for 224 yards with three touchdowns in G-Prep’s 35-21 win over Moses Lake in the first round last week. Halonen also completed 5 of 6 passes for 157 yards.

Richland (11-0), ranked second in the state, is balanced on offense, but the Bombers are known to move the ball through the air.

G-Prep’s biggest challenge will be to break through the Bombers’ sturdy defense. Bullpups coach David McKenna said it will be up to his offensive line to create scoring opportunities this weekend.

“Our five guys up front have to block well,” McKenna said. “They’ve got to step up.”

State 2A

West Valley vs. Selah in Yakima, 5 p.m. Saturday: West Valley is back at state for the second consecutive year after getting to the quarterfinals last year.

The Eagles (11-0) took the Greater Northern League title this season. They will take on the Vikings (9-0) in a quarterfinal at Eisenhower High.

West Valley, ranked fourth in the 2A, is coming off a 46-13 win over Franklin Pierce in the first round.

Selah advanced after eliminating Black Hills 35-0.

State 1A

Newport vs. Colville at G-Prep, 6 p.m. Friday: Colville last played at state two years ago when it fell to Royal in the quarterfinals. It was the Indians’ second consecutive trip to state following a tough 27-26 overtime loss to Cascade Christian at the state championship in 2014.

Colville (9-1), which took the Northeast A title this season, is back to redeem itself and will face its league rival Newport (9-1) in a quarterfinal contest. Colville defeated Newport 28-14 in league play.

Colville survived the first round with a 29-14 win over Connell, which took second place to Royal in last year’s state championship.

Newport is coming off a 13-6 victory over Zillah in the first round.

State 2B

Davenport vs. Asotin in Clarkston, 6 p.m. Friday: Davenport (9-2) faces Asotin (8-3) in a quarterfinal at Clarkston High.

The Gorillas, who finished second in the Northeast 2B League ahead of third-place Asotin, rolled to the quarterfinals following a 53-0 rout of Lake Roosevelt last week.

The Panthers are coming off a 31-14 victory over Tri-Cities Prep last week.

Davenport defeated Asotin 20-14 in their league matchup.

The winner will face either DeSales or Liberty in a semifinal.

State 1B

Odessa vs. Garfield-Palouse in Royal City, 5 p.m. Friday: Odessa (10-0), ranked second in 1B, will meet Garfield-Palouse (7-2) in a quarterfinal.

The winner will face either Cusick or Sunnyside Christian in a semifinal next week.

Cusick vs. Sunnyside Christian in Grandview, 7 p.m. Friday: Cusick captured the Northeast 1B North title this season with a 6-0 record. The Panthers, who finished 9-2 overall, will face Sunnyside Christian (11-0) in a quarterfinal.

Almira/Coulee-Hartline vs. Naselle in Montesano, 1 p.m. Saturday: ACH (9-2) takes on Naselle (8-2) in a quarterfinal. The winner will play either Lummi Nation or Tacoma Baptist in a semifinal showing.