Cheney handles University

SPOKANE – For a change it was Cheney that made the best out of turnovers and it resulted in the Blackhawks' 30-14 Greater Spokane League football win over University in Spokane Valley.

In a number of previous games it has been the opponents who have stymied the Blackhawks with critical turnovers.

"We took care of the ball on our end, when you do that, you give yourself a chance to win ball games," head coach John Graham wrote in an email. Cheney improved to 2-6 while University dropped to 1-7.

It began with Carter Ittner's recovery of a fumble from a bad snap on a punt led to Cheney's second touchdown on a run by Connor Collins and a 13-0 lead.

A few minutes earlier, Collins' pass to brother Camden with 9 minutes, 53 seconds to play in the first quarter opened scoring and gave Cheney a 6-0 lead following a failed point-after kick.

"Connor has played quite a bit for us this year and gives us a little more in the passing game," Graham said. "He made some good throws, missed some opportunities but most importantly took care of the football."

Collins was 10-for-19 passing with 65 yards and the TD while brother Camden led receivers with four catches, 46 yards and a score.

The quick opening pace slowed significantly from there as the teams traded short possessions, punts and more turnovers.

Andrew Houdonou-bough's interception at the 6:06 mark failed to pay off as Cheney went backwards following a series of penalties.

Graham purposely slowed things, he said. "Penalties played a huge part in that, and in the second half I got really conservative and tried to run the ball more and take some time off the clock." 

The half would finish with Cheney driving to the 1 before being pushed back to the six where Maximillian Riggs nailed a 22-yard field goal for a 16-0 lead.

On the Titans' second possession of the third quarter, pressure by the Blackhawks on the quarterback led to a poor throw that Tank Best reeled in and returned 22 yards for a touchdown and a 23-0 lead.

University would break the shutout in the opening moments of the fourth quarter on a short run from Paxon Cunanan, who also ran for the conversion, trimming the lead to 23-8.

With 7:11 to play the Blackhawks were forced to punt but the Titans fumbled on the return and Wyatt Wells recovered on the U-Hi 18. One play later Huse delivered the dagger with his score part of a team-leading 14 carry, 43-yard rushing effort.

University answered right back with their final score on Bobby Jones' 24-yard reception from Aiden Sautter.

Cheney's win over University was the first since a 28-14 triumph against the Titans on Feb. 27, 2021 during the COVID winter season.

The Blackhawks wrap up GSL play, Nov. 1 at home against Mt. Spokane (4-4) at 7 p.m. They will, however, also play a crossover game Nov. 8 at EWU's Roos Field against Hermiston, Oregon.

The two final games provide an opportunity for the Blackhawks' seniors to accomplish a goal, Graham said. "Our seniors/leaders made a goal of going 3-0 to finish the season," he said.