Sankey, Stockton help Bullpups run past EV

It took the anticipated Bishop Sankey era at Gonzaga Prep a while to get untracked, but once it did the smooth sophomore put a cramp in East Valley’s style.

Sankey’s electrifying touchdown runs of 82 and 31 yards in the second half helped the Bullpups to a 31-13 Greater Spokane League triumph Friday in the debut of coach Dave McKenna.

And in his starting quarterback bow, David Stockton began with a bang as well. He rushed for 141 yards and completed two game-breaking touchdown passes over a missing EV secondary.

“It was beautiful,” said McKenna, a former Bullpups player and defensive coach. “We had four turnovers the first half and the defense only gives up six points. In the second half the offense comes out.”

And, he added, the special teams also contributed. Chase Winkler’s field goal put the final distance between the teams that had battled toe-to-toe for three quarters.

“That’s why it’s a team game, like I told you before,” McKenna said.

Both teams can look back on first-half opportunities lost.

The Bullpups coughed up fumbles on all four possessions of the half, EV’s Tim Kline recovering the first three.

East Valley was burned by penalties – seven for 85 yards – and had a 45-yard Nick Bellomy touchdown run called back on its initial possession. But in the second quarter, after Sankey was smacked by Dakota Lawson and lost the football, the Knights covered 54 yards that included two superb Bellomy runs. He was stuffed by a Gonzaga defensive horde, but bounced outside for a 10-yard gain. Later he burst through a hole for the lead with 2 minutes, 57 seconds until intermission.

The lead was short-lived. Stockton, who had gained 108 ground yards in the first half with nary a passing attempt, connected on his second try after the half. Tight end Joe Morrison was left alone on fourth and 11 for a 27-yard catch and a 7-6 lead.

Then Lawson had a pass reception knocked loose with the Knights at G-Prep’s 18-yard line. EV’s standout receiver/linebacker, who had held Sankey in check, cramped and was on the sideline when the Bullpups speedster took a pitch on G-Prep’s first play and ran down the right side for his first varsity touchdown.

“I came out a little shook, you know, because it was my first varsity game,” said Sankey. “After the half I started to relax a little more and used my blockers. Give credit to the offensive line.”

After Stockton burned a drawn-in secondary once more for a 51-yard TD to wide-open back Tyler Heaton, and Bellomy brought EV back, Sankey made a nice cut into space for his second TD and a 28-13 lead early in the final period.

He had 183 of his 199 rushing yards in the second half as Prep piled up 450 yards on the ground.

It spoiled the debut of EV quarterback Ike Falk, who made a passing team out of the Knights with his strong arm. Falk was 15 of 22 for 168 yards. Bellomy rushed for 130 and both scores.

University 13, Shadle Park 6: Defense carried the day for the host Titans, who had only 149 yards in its spread offense. Aaron Blaska, who caught seven passes for 52 yards, picked off three passes and U-Hi recovered two fumbles to hold off the visitors. Aaron Gleason kicked a 40-yard field goal and quarterback Tony Tabish ran 39 yards for a 10-0 first-quarter lead. Following Gleason’s second field goal, Shadle’s Chris Donohue connected with receiver Bo Schuetzle for a 50-yard TD. Neither team scored in the second half.

Central Valley 31, Rogers 0: The Bears did all their scoring in the middle quarters for their season-opening victory at Albi behind the passing of Blake Bledsoe and two long touchdowns by Brad Whitley.

The coup de grace was Whitley’s 99-yard scoring return of a missed 32-yard field goal. He also scored on a 44-yard pass from Bledsoe, who finished with 118 yards and three TDs. Otherwise the game was a statistical dead heat. The Pirates had an overall advantage of 266 yards to 230 and gained 205 yards rushing. Quarterback Jake Partridge had 73 yards on 20 carries and running back Marcus Babcock 90 on 10 attempts.

Mead 29, Mt. Spokane 22: The Panthers survived at Albi and won bragging rights between the district rivals.

No details were reported.