Colville Gets Big Game From Clark And A Big Fourth Quarter, But Drops 41-27 Contest To East Valley

Colville’s football team scored 27 unanswered points behind a strong rushing performance from Jayson Clark, but the comeback fell short in a 41-27 loss to nonleague foe East Valley on Oct. 16. Clark rushed for 122 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries, including a 63-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter, as Colville nearly matched East Valley in total offense despite trailing by as many as 41 points. East Valley dominated the opening half, building a 34-0 halftime advantage behind a balanced offensive attack and a costly Colville turnover. The Knights struck twice in the opening quarter, scoring on a 9-yard touchdown pass and a 2-yard run to take a 14-0 lead. In the second quarter, East Valley returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown. The Knights added scoring runs of 1 and 12 yards to take a commanding 34-0 lead into the locker room. East Valley extended its advantage to 41-0 in the third quarter on a 15-yard touchdown pass before Colville finally found its offensive rhythm. Clark got the Crimson Hawks on the scoreboard with a 15-yard touchdown run in the third quarter, beginning a stretch in which Colville’s offense came alive.

The fourth quarter belonged entirely to the Crimson Hawks. Quarterback Gunnar Baker broke free for a 20-yard touchdown run to make it 41-14 before Deacon Beardsley delivered one of the game’s biggest offensive plays, racing 55 yards for another Colville touchdown. Clark capped the scoring with an explosive 63-yard touchdown run, pulling Colville within 14 points before time ran out on the comeback attempt. Colville finished with 283 yards of total offense, just five fewer than East Valley’s 288. The Crimson Hawks accumulated 201 rushing yards and 82 passing yards, while averaging nearly 6.7 yards per offensive play. Clark led the ground attack, while Baker added 23 yards and a touchdown on five carries. Baxter Phipps contributed 13 yards on six attempts. Through the air, Baker completed 6 of 14 passes for 82 yards with one interception.

Sam Sears emerged as his primary target, hauling in four receptions for 69 yards, including a 48- yard gain. Jeff Sears added an 8-yard reception. Defensively, Colville received a strong effort from Bryant Lopata, who recorded eight combined tackles. Liam Lynn and Adam Dabbech each finished with seven combined tackles, while Baker contributed six and Sam Sears added five, including a tackle for loss. East Valley finished with 225 rush- ing yards and 63 passing yards. The loss dropped Colville to 1-6 on the season.