Blackhawks blank Saxons in GSL football

On paper, and in the record books, Cheney’s 15-0 Greater Spokane League football win Sept. 9 at Tom Oswald Field illustrated that the Blackhawks played some solid defense.

But as head coach Bobby Byrd pointed out, the goose egg on the scoreboard just scratched the surface.

“Across the board our defensive unit did well,” Byrd wrote in an email. “(We) brought pressure when needed, stayed discipline in our reads at linebacker and the secondary.”

Linebacker Curran Moore coralled a big interception that gave Cheney momentum and Micah Ragaza-Bourasa had several no gain, or tackle for losses that really clogged the Saxon run game, Byrd added. Ragaza-Bourasa led the defense with 6 ½ tackles while Tucker VanWormer had 5 ½.

The offense of course did its part to get the necessary points for the win that evened Cheney’s record at 1-1. Josh Bingham caught a 14-yard pass from Jakeb Vallance with 5:42 remaining in the first quarter for the only points the Blackhawks would need. Vallance also added 99 yards rushing while Kordell Laher topped Blackhawks receivers with nine catches for 110 yards.

“Jakeb showed maturity in the pocket and when he had the opportunity to take it to the ground he took advantage,” Byrd said of his senior QB who connected on 20 of 40 passes for 201 yards and the touchdown.

But the defense came through with a safety with 11:36 to play in the game. “The safety was brought on by our tenacious defensive front and our secondary that gave no options for Ferris’ QB,” Byrd said.

And when Cheney needed just a little more of a cushion on the scoreboard, they turned to defense — well sort of — once more. Linebacker Ragaza-Bourasa put on his running back hat, scoring the insurance points with 5:10 remaining to keep Ferris winless at 0-2.

Cheney outpaced Ferris in total offense with s 327 to 140 edge, but really put the clamps on the visitors limiting them to a paltry 25 yards rushing.

One part of the game that has plagued the Blackhawks in each of its games so far are penalties. Against Gonzaga Prep they were flagged eight times for 72 yards but that got worse vs. Ferris where the Blackhawks committed 14 for 135 yards.

“With our penalties we will have to go back to the basics as they say,” Byrd explained. “Keeping things straight forward for the players so they do not have to over analyze situations and just play and have fun.”

Cheney stays at home this Friday, Sept.16 when Central Valley (2-0) visits for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

“We face a very sharp CV team who is riding on two decisive victories,” Byrd said. “It’s a great challenge for us on both sides of the ball. They have big play capabilities and are stout defensively.”

Paul Delaney is a retired Free Press Publishing reporter and can be reached at [email protected].