Central Valley romps to fifth consecutive football victory

The Central Valley football team used its final Greater Spokane League crossover game as a tuneup Thursday, as stakes get bigger the remainder of the month.

The Bears split six touchdowns over two halves, cruising to a 43-0 victory over North Central at Albi Stadium.

CV running backs Gage Connole and Alec Doyle each scored two touchdowns and finished with a combined 187 yards.

In the first half, the Bears (5-1) used a balanced attack to pile up 218 yards before finishing with 357.

On the Bears’ final possession of the half, they used seven plays with 58 seconds to go before Ryan Rehkow kicked a 41-yard field goal for a 23-0 lead at halftime.

NC (1-5) had opportunities in the first two quarters.

On the Indians’ first possession, they got to the CV 3-yard line before Ben Craig intercepted a pass in the end zone.

In the second quarter, NC advanced to the CV 7. But four straight incomplete passes ended the possession.

CV put things out of reach right away in the third quarter, scoring on its first two possessions. Doyle got in from 3 yards out and Brooks Johnson scored on a 6-yard run on the second series.

Bears quarterback Tanner Sloan scored on a 1-yard sneak with 1:44 to go in the third, requiring a running clock the rest of the game.

It was CV’s third shutout. Since a season-opening 37-30 loss to Coeur d’Alene, the Bears have run off five consecutive victories.

CV has allowed just 17 points in that stretch, 14 of which came in the Bears’ win over Mead.

The Bears recorded three interceptions.

With Connole and Doyle doing most of the damage on the ground, Sloan didn’t have to pass much. He completed 10 of 20 for 107 yards, spreading the passes around to six receivers.

NC running back Khanian Charlton did most of the heavy lifting for the Indians. CV held him to 46 yards on 20 carries.

Next week, Gonzaga Prep visits CV while NC opens 3A play against Mt. Spokane.