West Valley, Central Valley match talons for week 6 of spring football
Spring football season draws to an end next week.
But this Friday will be the last games for Enterprise, West Valley, Central Valley and Anderson high schools and University Preparatory School.
- West Valley will finish its season on the road against Central Valley in a battle for the Valley Bowl title.
- Enterprise plays Foothill on the road.
- U-Prep travels to Lassen.
- Anderson plays Yreka.
Game of the week: West Valley (4-0) at Central Valley (3-1)
The game between Central Valley and West Valley brings coaching lineages and regional history to the forefront.
Central Valley coach Aaron Richards used to be a West Valley Eagles player and coach. He won CIF Northern Section titles as a player for West Valley in 2004 and later as an assistant coach in 2018. Richards was later named head coach of Central Valley in 2019.
Central Valley has made strides this season with an improved defense but its offense was shut out last week by U-Prep 17-0. West Valley by contrast blistered U-Prep 30-0 on April 2.
Quick facts:
- Central Valley hasn’t beaten West Valley since 2011.
- West Valley beat Central Valley 48-0 in its last matchup on Sept. 20, 2019.
- West Valley has won 22 straight regular season games dating to 2018.
Analysis: West Valley is led by top senior defensive linemen Chris Whitney and Spencer Sellers. On offense, the Eagles are led by sophomore quarterback Noah Mason, who completed eight of nine passes for 84 yards and a touchdown against Foothill. West Valley senior running back Holden Gilbert is averaging 126.5 rushing yards per game.
Central Valley’s goal on offense is to pound away at West Valley’s defensive line slowly and methodically. Senior running back Kade Crowell and quarterback Willie Mowry will try to work short yardage and hope that a big play comes out at wearing away West Valley’s interior.
Central Valley hasn’t beaten West Valley in a decade, but that’s not stopping Richards from believing in his team.
“I told our guys that if you don’t think that we can win this week then you can leave,” Richards said on Monday. “I don’t believe in no-win scenarios. I believe that I can win any game. We may have 30 players and they may have 80, but at the end of the day you can only play with 11 players on the field.”
Central Valley football:Coach Aaron Richards is showing these Falcons can fly
West Valley has options on offense. The Eagles can hand the ball off to Gilbert and senior Josh Aguilar or will have Mason look for senior receiver Hayden Boyes or tight end Anthony Rogers downfield.
Prediction: West Valley wins 28-0. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
Live scoring: (First quarter)
- West Valley: 0
- Central Valley: 0
Enterprise (1-4) at Foothill (3-2)
Enterprise and Foothill will face off for the final time this season in what should be an entertaining and tight matchup for fans either watching at home or in attendance.
This Friday will be Enterprise’s last game and the last time senior running back Eli Cortinas will play in the white and yellow jerseys. Cortinas will play college football this fall at Missouri Valley College, an NAIA school in Marshall, Missouri located 90 miles east of Kansas City.
Quick facts:
- Foothill has won four straight games against Enterprise since 2016.
- Foothill beat Enterprise earlier this season 28-15 on April 2.
- Foothill junior cornerback Jarius Mast intercepted four passes in the first game between the two teams this season.
- Enterprise held Foothill’s passing to one completion on 11 attempts in their first matchup.
Analysis: On defense, the Hornets will also have defensive lineman Jalin Hudson to use after missing the first matchup between the two teams due to injury.
If Hudson were healthy, it would’ve given the Hornets an extra edge rusher to limit the Cougars’ run game.
Redding Sports Rewind: Mast steals show and ball from Enterprise
Foothill is looking to bounce back from two straight losses against Shasta and West Valley. The Cougars on offense are led by sophomore quarterback Davis Smith and senior running back Cooper Laloli.
Foothill’s defense is led by sophomore linebacker Caiden Williford and junior cornerback Jarius Mast. Mast has risen to become one of the top defensive players in the North State.
Prediction: Foothill wins 31-22. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
Live scoring: (First quarter)
Other games to follow:
Anderson at Yreka. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
Live scoring: (First quarter)
U-Prep at Lassen. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
Live scoring: (First quarter)
Ethan Hanson started working for the Redding Record Searchlight after four years with the Los Angeles Daily News as a freelancer. His coverage includes working the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament in South Bend, Indiana, and writing about the St. Louis Rams’ move to Los Angeles with the Ventura County Star. He began his career as a play-by-play broadcaster for LA Pierce College from 2011-2017. Follow him on Twitter at @EthanAHanson_RS.
