Ferris answers opportunity
Ferris learned it isn’t invincible on the football field Friday night.
But there’s a difference between beatable and beaten.
Just like it has all season, Ferris took advantage of an opponent’s miscues and remained undefeated with a 30-22 victory over Mt. Spokane in a Greater Spokane League showdown at Joe Albi Stadium.
Fortunate to lose only one of six fumbles, the Saxons (4-0) looked vulnerable for the first time this year. The Wildcats (3-1) were undermined by four turnovers and five penalties.
Saxons quarterback Connor Halliday got off to a sluggish start, but the Ferris offense started moving the ball once Halliday settled down in the pocket. Halliday completed 17 of 31 passes for 272 yards and three touchdowns, and he also ran for a score.
Mt. Spokane fumbled away an opportunity to break a scoreless tie at Ferris’ 18. Halliday completed 3 of 4 passes on the ensuing drive before darting into the end zone on a 4-yard run for a 7-0 lead.
Andrew Weigand, who had two interceptions, picked off a Mt. Spokane pass on the next play to give Ferris the ball at the Wildcats’ 24. Halliday hit Garrett Saiki on a 4-yard corner route for a touchdown and a 14-0 advantage.
Mt. Spokane slotback Colten Williams scored a pair of touchdowns in the first half to keep the Wildcats in contention. He hauled in Travis Ward’s 7-yard strike on the final play of the half to pull Mt. Spokane within 21-14.
Aaron Roberts caught five passes for 115 yards, and his 22-yard TD reception in the third quarter gave Ferris a 27-14 lead.
Ferris’ leading rusher, Nate Tonani, suffered an apparent left ankle injury late in the second quarter and did not return.
Williams finished with 124 yards of total offense to lead Mt. Spokane. His 3-yard TD run with just more than 2 minutes left provided the final margin.
The Wildcats had one final chance in the final minute, but Ward’s desperation heave into the end zone was batted down as time expired.
Central Valley 43, Shadle Park 7: The victory by the unbeaten host Bears (4-0, 4-0) was a well-rounded effort on all sides of the ball. Eight different players had a hand in scoring points against the Highlanders (2-2, 2-2). The offense had four touchdowns, twice each via pass and rush, the defense added a touchdown by interception and special teams scored on a blocked punt return. CV had a 2-to-1 advantage in total offense (308 yards to 155).
Mead 45, North Central 0: The Panthers (2-2, 2-2) evened their record by scoring in a hurry against the Indians (0-4, 0-4) in the Albi Stadium opener. They were ahead 22-0 after a quarter, Zach England with two rushing touchdowns en route to a six-carry, 112-yard night.
University 21, Rogers 14: The Titans (2-2) had to rally from a halftime deficit in their homecoming game against visiting Rogers (0-3, 0-4). John Wright scored the winner early in the fourth quarter and finished with two scores and 112 yards rushing on 26 carries. Cody Peterson had 114 yards and a TD and Jake Partridge 83 for Rogers.