Braves look to spoil Bombers' fun

A week ago, Kamiakin had the look of a dead team walking.

The Braves were losing starters left and right to injuries and lost back-to-back games, including a 10-0 loss to Eisenhower at Lampson Stadium -- their first shutout since the 2005 season finale.

What a difference a little trip to Walla Walla can make.

The Braves went to Borleske Stadium last Friday and trounced the Blue Devils 24-7, with sophomore running back Dominque Davis announcing his presence to the CBBN community by rushing for 241 yards and a touchdown.

"That was a shot in the arm, not just for the kids, but for the coaching staff as well," said Kamiakin coach Craig Beverlin. "With what has happened to us with the avalanche of injuries we've had, it felt good."

It was just the boost the Braves needed for one final shot at claiming the Cascade Division title. They play host to Richland on Saturday with the division crown riding in the balance.

A Bombers win, and Richland clinches the title and No. 1 seed to the crossover playoffs. A loss, and the Bombers would then face a must-win game the following week at home against Wa-Hi to earn the top seed.

"The kids are pretty good at doing the math," said Richland coach Mike Neidhold. "There's been some talk about the playoffs, but I've said to them, enough about that. We need to focus on Kamiakin. We can't do anything after this if we don't take care of business this week."

The injuries have forced the Braves to rely upon quite a few sophomores, including Davis, whom Beverlin wasn't sure would be able to play this season because of grade issues. Davis became eligible two weeks ago.

"We started a study hall before practice, not just for him, but for a bunch of kids, and it's really paid dividends," Beverlin said.

Then there's DE Johnny Allen, who returned a blocked punt for a TD against Wa-Hi; WR/DB Tim White, a two-way starter who caught a TD pass in the Wa-Hi win; TE/SS Tyler Holle, another two-way contributor; and ILB Trevor Powers.

Neidhold, for one, has taken note of Kamiakin's turnaround.

"They got their offense untracked and gained some confidence," he said. "We're not taking this game for granted."

-- Southridge's Andy Troxel faces a dilemma any coach would gladly accept: how to keep your team sharp for two weeks before the playoffs begin.

That's the situation the seventh-ranked Suns face tonight at Lampson Stadium against Kennewick. They've already clinched the Columbia Division title and No. 1 crossover seed with two weeks left.

In Troxel's favor is that those two "meaningless" games have plenty of meaning despite the standings. The Suns finish the regular season with a nonleaguer against Kamiakin.

"That helps keep your kids focused," he said. "It's very important to them that they play well in these crosstown rival games."

For the Lions, the importance of tonight's game is simple. They're scrambling to stay in the playoff race, and an upset of the Suns would go a long way toward getting them to the postseason.

-- Another key Cascade Division matchup tonight features Eisenhower against Hanford at Fran Rish. Ike can't afford another loss if it hopes to somehow forge a tie for the division title. The Falcons have momentum after winning at Eastmont last week. ... Moses Lake looks to bounce back from a home loss to Wenatchee tonight at Davis.