Game Recap November 28, 2017
The Tacoma Dome. For those living in it's shadow, it is a harbinger of severe traffic gridlock. To the Richland Bombers and Central Valley Bears, it is the promised land.
Recent history had not been kind to the Bears as the Bombers have ended their season each of the last two years by a combined score of 67-3. But this year's Bears were coming in on a roll having won ten in a row including a sweep of the Greater Spokane League and huge wins over two powerhouse programs in Camas and Skyline.
But sometimes history repeats itself.
The Central Valley Bears came out with their fur on fire holding the Bombers to -7 yards and forcing a punt on the first possession. After the punt, the Bears made three first downs in their first five plays using quick screen passes. Once inside the 10 yard line, though, the Bomber defense clamped down, leaving Central Valley with three points from a 22 yard Landon Rehkow field goal. 3-0 Bears.
Richland's next possession started at their own 35 and had a promising start on two runs by Parker McCary but just like that, two penalties and a negative pass pushed the Bombers back to the 25. Cade Jensen then found Josh Mendoza streaking down the sideline for a 41 yard strike that put the Bombers on the Central Valley 36. Two McCary runs got the ball to the 24 yard line but Jensen was then sacked, losing 14 yards and the Bombers were faced with a third and 24. No problem. Cade connected with Cody Sanderson on a 38 yard touchdown pass and Richland led 7-3.
The Bomber defense worked quickly, hitting quarterback Grant Hannan and causing a fumble that was recovered by Jax Lee on the Central Valley 31 yard line. Five plays later, Parker McCary punched the ball in from the 4 yard line and the Bombers started the second quarter with a 14-3 lead.
At this point, Central Valley had no answers to the relentless Bomber defense, forcing consecutive three-and-outs. The second negating a Bear interception. With the ball on their own 37, McCary found an opening and ran for 39 yards into CV territory. Jensen then finished it off on a 27 yard pass to Adam Weissenfels in the endzone, putting the game further out of reach at 21-3 Bombers.
After another three-and-out, Richland received the ball at their own 19 yard line and embarked on a nine-play scoring drive. Jensen finished off the drive passing the ball to Ryan Piper from 24 yards out. Piper made a spectacular catch, tipping the ball to himself, then catching it for the touchdown. The Bombers looked to be cruising into halftime with a sizeable 28-3 lead.
Central Valley was able to sustain a little more offense on their next drive but only on a strange roughing the punter call. Austin Tomlinson attempted a running rugby kick but his shoe fell off, sending the ball 10 yards and the errant shoe another twenty. Unfortunately, Tomlinson's momentum brushed him up against a Bomber and the yellow flags extended the Bear drive. The Bomber defense did not budge, though, and quickly forced another punt.
With the ball on their own 21 yard line, the Bombers were content with going to the locker room. After two runs rendered nothing but time off the clock, Cade Jensen took a knee on third down with 20 seconds remaining. Central Valley coach Ryan Butner was having none of it and called a timeout. With two CV timeouts remaining, the Bombers were forced to punt and Central Valley received the ball at the 45 yard line with 12 seconds left in the half. Grant Hannan heaved a Hail Mary in the direction of Michah Mason but the ball was about five yards short. Two Bomber defenders tried to knock the ball away but inadvertantly popped the ball into Mason's awaiting arms and suddenly, the Bears were able to breath a little easier and entered halftime trailing only 28-10 with the added bonus of receiving the ball after halftime.
Central Valley received that second half kickoff and again were able to penetrate Richland territory down to the 23 yard line. The Bomber defense stiffened once more and forced the Bears out on downs. The Bombers fumbled on the first play of the ensuing drive and kept Central Valley's hopes alive.
Alas, the Richland defenders were in no mood to foster hope. Each Central Valley drive was snuffed out and the third quarter ended with no change in the score.
Cade Jensen started the fourth quarter by tossing a jump ball into the endzone. Sammy Cervantes leaped over two CV defenders and pulled it down for a 22 yard touchdown and a 35-10 lead. The Bombers next drive ended in bookend fashion when Jensen tossed another jump ball to Cervantes from 17 yards out for another Bomber touchdown. Richland 42, Central Valley 10.
For the third year in a row, the Richland Bombers have ended the Central Valley Bears season and for the second straight year, the Bombers are headed to Tacoma for a chance to bring home 4A State Championship trophy, this time against the Woodinville Falcons.
This is the moment these players have been working for since the last seconds ticked off the clock against Camas in 2016. It's a very rare thing in life to get a second chance and the Bombers are poised to take advantage. One thing that stands out about this squad is how much fun they have playing football whether that be in tight games like Bellevue, Chiawana, and Gonzaga Prep or one of the many games that ended with a running clock. These 2017 Bombers really love playing for each other and playing hard up to the final whistle. Very reminiscent of the 1981-82 team that won the first Bomber state championship.
Please consider joining the fun and we hope to see you next Saturday night at 7:30pm in the Tacoma Dome!
Go Bombers!
- SWX WIAA 4A State Semifinal - Central Valley @ Richland
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November 25, 20171234Final
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Central Valley Bears370010
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Richland Bombers72101442
- 1st Quarter
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Field Goal: Landon Rehkow 22 yard field goal (6:16)
Central Valley 3, Richland 0 -
Touchdown: Cody Sanderson 38 yard pass from Cade Jensen (Adam Weissenfels kick) (2:30)
Richland 7, Central Valley 3 - 2nd Quarter
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Touchdown: Parker McCary 4 yard run (Weissenfels kick) (11:53)
Richland 14, Central Valley 3 -
Touchdown: Weissenfels 27 yard pass from Jensen (Weissenfels kick) (5:18)
Richland 21, Central Valley 3 -
Touchdown: Ryan Piper 24 yard pass from Jensen (Weissenfels kick) (1:36)
Richland 28, Central Valley 3 -
Touchdown: Micah Mason 45 yard pass from Grant Hannan (Rehkow kick) (0:00)
Richland 28, Central Valley 10 - 4th Quarter
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Touchdown: Sammy Cervantes 22 yard pass from Jensen (Weissenfels kick) (11:09)
Richland 35, Central Valley 10 -
Touchdown: Cervantes 17 yard pass from Jensen (Weissenfels kick) (3:54)
Richland 42, Central Valley 10
- News/Media
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Central Valley routs Skyline in 4A quarters
Spokane Spokesman-Review: Sunday November 19, 2017
Spokesman-Review article by Mike Vlahovich in the Sunday, November 19, 2017 edition.
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Bombers will stay close to home for 4A semifinal
Tri-City Herald: Tuesday November 21, 2017
Tri-City Herald article by Kevin Anthony in the Tuesday, November 21, 2017 edition.
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Laying it all on the line
Spokane Spokesman-Review: Thursday November 23, 2017
Article by Dave Nichols in the Thursday, November 23, 2017 edition of the Spokesman-Review. Central Valley leads six area schools with title aspirations.
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4A State Semifinal Preview
Tacoma News Tribune: Friday November 24, 2017
Tacoma News Tribune preview of the State 4A semifinal games. November 24, 2017
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Richland O-line paves way for another playoff drive
Tri-City Herald: Saturday November 25, 2017
Tri-City Herald article by Annie Fowler in the Saturday, November 25, 2017 edition highlighting the unsung Bomber offensive line.
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Jensen in command against Central Valley
Tri-City Herald: Sunday November 26, 2017
Tri-City Herald article by Annie Fowler featuring quarterback Cade Jensen in the Sunday, November 26, 2017 edition.
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In Week 14, Bombers eye the big prize
Tri-City Herald: Sunday November 26, 2017
Tri-City Herald article by Dustin Brennan highlighting the Bombers 4A semifinal win in the Sunday, November 26, 2017 edition.
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Bombers wear down Bears
Spokane Spokesman-Review: Sunday November 26, 2017
Spokesman-Review article by Jeff Morrow in the Sunday, September 26, 2017 edition.
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WIAA Athletes of the Week: Cade Jensen
WIAA: Wednesday November 29, 2017
Week 13 winners of the WIAA Athletes of the Week Award include Cade Jensen from the Richland Bombers
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