Cheney linebacker Kolby Holt tackles Cascade quarterback Cole Warnaca for a loss in Friday night's 20-0 Blackhawk win over the visiting Kodiaks from Leavenworth.
It may have not been the most pretty of offensive efforts, but the Cheney High School football team found a way to put another "W" in the win column last Friday night.
On an evening where Blackhawks' drives stalled out on fourth and long in visiting Cascade High School's territory, the defense pitched a shutout and the offense found a way to grind out a 20-0 win over the visiting Kodiaks at Tom Oswald Field. The victory runs Cheney's record to 5-0, their best start since 2015's 6-0 beginning.
After a scoreless first quarter of punts and stalled drives, the Blackhawks got their first break just past the halfway point of the second, recovering a fumble at Cascade's 35. Facing fourth and eight at the 23, quarterback Alex Long found tight end Jacob McGourin a short pass into the right flat that the senior turned into the game's first touchdown and 6-0 Cheney lead.
The defense preserved the halftime margin by forcing the Kodiaks to turn the ball over on downs at the Cheney 35 with 25 seconds to play before intermission. After a three and out to start the third quarter by Cascade, the Blackhawks mounted a drive that ended with senior tailback Camden VerStrate bursting through the line off right tackle, cutting back inside and scampering up the middle of the field for a touchdown and 13-0 lead with 9:59 to play in the quarter.
Cheney put the final nail in the Kodiaks' coffin in the fourth quarter, with running back Mekhai Goodloe capping a short drive with a nine-yard TD run on third and goal.
The win caps an unbeaten non-league schedule for the Blackhawks, which included thrilling wins over Colville, Cashmere and Shadle Park. Cheney opens Great Northern League play this Friday, hosting winless East Valley (0-5) in what will be Homecoming for the Blackhawks. Game time is 7 p.m.
John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].
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