G-Prep, CV clash Friday to decide 4A GSL championship

The Gonzaga Prep and Central Valley football teams were picked to be where they are going into the final week of the regular season.

Both teams are postseason bound. But they have much to decide Friday when CV (7-1, 4-0) visits Gonzaga Prep (6-2, 4-0).

To the winner goes the 4A Greater Spokane League championship, top seeding for play-in games and a home postseason opener next week.

The teams have each other’s attention.

“I have tremendous respect for G-Prep’s football program,” CV four-year starting middle linebacker Travis Hawkins said. “We’re going to have to start fast. I know there will be some adversity, but we’ll just have to persevere when times are tough.”

Hawkins said defending the Bullpups’ veer offense requires the Bears’ full focus.

“It’s assignment football,” Hawkins said. “We have to fly around, swarm and get 11 hats to the football.”

Hawkins’ coach, Ryan Butner, hasn’t seen any drop off from G-Prep the state champion a year ago to this season.

“They have a few guys different than last year but they’re just as talented,” Butner said.

G-Prep coach Dave McKenna is pleased to be playing for the title.

“In our league you can’t afford a letdown. For both teams to be here and undefeated in 4A is an accomplishment for both teams,” McKenna said.

McKenna said it’s no disrespect to any teams G-Prep plays but preparation this week is focused on his team.

“We worry about what we have to do,” he said. “We still have a lot of room for growth but I’m pleased with how our kids practice. But we haven’t put together a full four quarters yet.”

Mt. Spokane (3-5, 2-0) can secure the 3A title on Thursday and a second postseason berth will be decided between Shadle Park (4-4, 1-1) and North Central (2-6, 1-1).

Shadle and NC kick things off at 4:45 followed by Mt. Spokane against Rogers at 7:15.

The Wildcats most likely will travel to two-time state champ Eastside Catholic in a play-in game. The Shadle/NC winner goes to Kennewick to face most likely Southridge in a playoff on Tuesday to decide a play-in berth.

Pullman (6-2, 3-0) has wrapped the up the Great Northern League title and top postseason seed.

West Valley (7-1, 2-1) travels to Clarkston (6-2, 2-1) on Friday to decide the second seed while Pullman is at East Valley (3-4, 1-2).

The Idaho state playoffs begin Friday with Borah (5-4) at Coeur d’Alene (5-3).

Sandpoint (4-5), which earned the 4A Inland Empire League second berth, travels to third-ranked Emmett (7-2).

Lewiston (9-0), the 5A IEL champ, and Lakeland (5-4), the 4A IEL champ, have first-round byes.