Cheney Quarterback Jakeb Vallance breaks through the line and crosses into the end zone for the first touchdown of the homecoming game.
Despite being well covered, Blackhawk Josh Whiteley fights off the defender and brings in the pass for a first down.
CHENEY – High school football fans were treated to a defensive struggle when the Blackhawks Varsity football team battled the Ridgeline Falcons on October 8, with the Falcons pulling ahead to win in the final seconds of the game 13-10.
Cheney received the ball initially, and marched down the field with quarterback Jakeb Vallance breaking through the line to cap off the drive with a one yard touchdown run leaving 6:04 left in the first quarter. Joshua Bingham kicked the point after putting the Blackhawks up 7-0. The 6 foot 5 quarterback finished the game with 54 passing yards on 7 completions and 73 rushing yards with the touchdown to his name.
The Falcons wasted no time in moving the ball though the air, and Ridgeline quarterback Tanner Smith connected with Brayden Allen for a nine-yard touchdown grab. Ryan Koppenhaver converted the extra point tying the game leaving 4:13 to go in the first quarter.
The game turned into a slugfest for the second quarter with both teams going scoreless.
Homecoming king and queen, Ben Rowe and Jenna Mansfield were crowned along with the rest of the royal court, and the marching band put a little extra into the homecoming halftime show.
Cheney went with a ground attack for the most part, totaling 128 yards on 37 rushes for the evening. The Blackhawks finished with 182 total yards on 52 plays from offense. Ridgeline found some momentum moving the ball effectively with screen passes, with Tanner Smith going 21 of 33 for 207 yards with a pair of touchdowns for the game.
The gridiron battle continued through the third quarter and most of the fourth quarter. Late in the fourth quarter the Blackhawks faced a 3rd and long situation. Jakeb Vallance dropped back in the pocket and shot a quick pass to find Josh Whitely in the end zone, however that scoring play was called back due to a penalty.
With 2:06 left in the game, Kicker Joshua Bingham would nail a 41-yard field goal putting the Blackhawks up 10-7.
Ridgeline went into a clock-management game plan and worked the ball down the field until Smith connected with Allen for Ridgeline's second touchdown pass of the day, and with a failed extra point the score stood at 13-10 with :07 seconds left on the game clock. The Blackhawks lined up for one last play from scrimmage, but the final pass fell incomplete with the Falcons winning by three points.
Matthew can be reached at reporter2@cheneyfreepress.com
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