Friday, Oct. 03, 2008

Richland, Hanford fly into rivalry tilt tonight

By Rene Ferran, Herald staff writer

Both Richland and Hanford passed season-changing tests a week ago with flying colors.

The intracity rivals square off tonight at Fran Rish Stadium in a CBBN Cascade Division game coming off big wins -- the Bombers 35-7 at Eisenhower, the Falcons 30-20 vs. Walla Walla.

Coach Mike Neidhold, whose Bombers are the nominal host for tonight's game, saw last week's game as a referendum for whether his team was as good as he thought it capable of being.

"The kids proved that we can compete for four quarters with a pretty good football team," Neidhold said. "I was real proud of our effort. The kids rose up in all facets of the game -- and to top it off, it was on the road."

Falcons coach Rob Oram, meanwhile, saw his team not only stay competitive with one of the CBBN's 4A powers, but also finally pull out the victory.

Hanford was 2-9 vs. 4A teams since 2003, with its only two wins over Davis.

"I thought when we faced adversity, we competed very well," Oram said. "When we went down 13-9, there was no panic -- just a resolve to get a touchdown. I liked how we reacted, and when you get a win, that just makes the kids a little more confident."

This is only the fourth meeting all-time between the schools -- the Bombers are 3-0 in the series, including a 19-0 win last season.

Hanford comes in with the league's No. 2 running game at 254 yards per game. Senior Kody Winsor is averaging 10.5 yards per carry, and quarterback Travis Chalk has been equally effective running (5.9 yards per carry, 4 TDs) and throwing (56.1% completion, 403 yards, 5 TDs) the ball.

"This is Hanford's best team in 10 years," Neidhold said. "They've got pretty good skill guys, and they're playing with a lot of confidence right now. They're not turning the ball over like they did in the past.

"Throw in that it's a rivalry game, and we've got our hands full all of a sudden."

The Falcons, meanwhile, have to deal with the league's top-rated quarterback in junior Hayden Hilty (59.8% completion, 674 yards, 8 TDs) and senior receivers Brett Jacobs (19 catches, 4 TDs) and Jamison Rowe (12 catches, 3 TDs).

"They're explosive on offense," Oram said. "I'm impressed with their overall team speed. They play assignment football and play with great effort."

The Falcons get back starting C/LB Ryan Craig from a one-game suspension, but starting DE Jordan Friesz is likely lost for the season with a broken arm.

-- The news on the injury front was mixed for Kamiakin coach Craig Beverlin this week as his team prepared for a Cascade Division matchup with Eisenhower.

The Braves should get RB/LB Dane Knapp back from a shoulder stinger that sidelined him from last week's 27-6 loss at Eastmont, and starting OG Andrew Krom is fully recovered from the flu.

However, RB Ethan Morgan is out with a severely sprained ankle, and all-league C Chris Clement is doubtful after spraining his ankle at practice Wednesday.

Beverlin's optimism is buoyed by the addition of sophomore RB Dominic Davis, who became eligible this week. "He will certainly add a lot to our team," Beverlin said. "He's a very talented kid who has the ability to be a two-way starter."

-- All three Tri-City Columbia Division teams are on the road tonight. Kennewick travels north to take on Moses Lake, while Pasco and Southridge head up I-82 -- the Bulldogs to take on Sunnyside, while the Suns face Davis. ... Pasco and Southridge must make sure not to look ahead to their showdown next Thursday at Lampson. The Grizzlies are showing signs of life, narrowly losing to Kennewick two weeks ago and picking up their first win last week at West Valley, while the Pirates are desperate to end their 51-game league losing streak. ... The top small-school matchup takes place in the SCAC East with River View and Columbia (Burbank) renewing their crossriver rivalry.