Eagles win showdown with Cubs

TRIPPED UP: Running back Drew Diprima of Anderson runs down the field and tries to shake off a tackle from West Valley defensive back Tyler Stevenson.

Friday night at Bob Reid Stadium, West Valley and Anderson high school faced-off against each other in the South County Showdown.

Both the Cubs and Eagles defenses' were evenly matched in the first half, neither really giving up points to either teams offense.

The Cubs offense had difficulties converting downs and had penalties at key moments during drives. During the second quarter, Anderson intercepted West Valley quarterback Levi Cox with 2:24 left. Cub's running back Drew Diprima ran the ball to the 1-yard line with 1:14; however, a false start on the offense backed them up 5 yards. Diprima ran the ball three yards for the touchdown with 22 seconds to go before the half. Putting Anderson in the lead 10-3.

On the kick off return, the Eagles fumbled the ball and the Cubs offense walked back out onto the field and on the first snap of the ball was intercepted by linebacker Ronny Hampton. Cox was unable to score before halftime.

The Eagles also had problems on offense during the first half, mainly with holding onto the ball. The field was wet due to the rainstorm that had passed through the area, which made holding onto the ball difficult at times. Cox dropped the ball a few times after the snap and receivers had difficulties catching it.

After half time, the Eagles cleaned up many mistakes, including dropping the ball. Cox ran the ball 5 yards with 5:26 left in the third quarter for a touchdown, tying the game 10-10. Then with 58 seconds left in the third quarter, Cox threw a 15-yard pass to Jake Gibbins for another touchdown, bringing the score to 17-10.

West Valley defensive back Tyler Stevenson intercepted Cub's quarterback Joe Foster twice in the second half. The second interception late in the forth quarter lead to a 32-yard field goal by Tyler Low making the score 20-10.

"We made many mistakes and we need to improve. We have three games left and we need to come to work on Monday," said Lance Gosch Anderson's football coach.

"This was a difficult week for us, we had about nine or ten guys out with the flu. Some had temperatures of 103 degrees," said Greg Grandell, West Valley's head coach. "We need to get rid of our injuries. We have proven to be a half time team; we get better as the game goes on. I'm very proud of the team."

According to Grandell this win was giant for West Valley, and a loss could have knocked them out of the playoffs.

"Lassen will be a tough game for us and it is a must win game for us. We still have a long way to go, but we are fighters and I'm very proud of my team, they are stand up guys," said Grandell.