Used to laboring anonymously in football's trenches, a pair of Central Valley linemen took their turn in the limelight during victory over University in the annual battle for the Greasy Pig.

J.D. Boden, a 6-foot-5 junior two-way performer, had a highlight-reel moment when he batted a Titan screen pass attempt into the air and pulled down the interception late in the second quarter. He would later recover a fumble in the fourth quarter during the 47-14 romp, with all but six points coming in the second half.

All week during practice, the coaches had warned the linemen to beware of U-Hi's screens out of its spread offense, and they took it to heart.

"I saw the quarterback and tipped the ball," Boden said. Of the fumble recovery, "I was ready. I saw the pitch and nobody was there."

Fellow lineman, senior Nick Ramberg, picked off his pass deep in Titan territory midway through the third quarter, and in four plays CV scored for a 26-0 lead.

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"The defense played really solid," Boden said.

"They were overloading us on one side," coach Rick Giampietri added. "We made a couple of adjustments, and our line took over again in the second half. They've been doing it for the last couple of weeks."

‘Now it gets serious'

That's what Giampietri said of his 5-1 Bears upon the conclusion of last week's game.

He was referring to CV's end-of-season schedule. Two of their final three games come against other postseason aspirants. Tonight will shed light on their chances in a 6:15 p.m. game against preseason favorite Mead (5-1) at Albi Stadium.

Youth has played a big part in CV volleyball success this year.

Sophomores Sasha Montgomery and Kara Nitteberg and 6-foot-1 junior Alaina Gentili have been major contributors.

"It's definitely been the passing of Montgomery and Nitteberg," coach Chris Kosty said. "Gentili actually has been our leading hitting percentage."

Senior veteran Taylor Butters is CV's overall kills leader. West Valley transfer Sequoia Lofton contributes as part of a relatively new look for a team that is in a similar position in the GSL as last year's state qualifiers.

"It's hard to compare," Kosty said. "Last year was just a completely different team with a different mentality. (This year) we have some good hitters. We're just waiting for them to show their potential."

CV shares second place in the GSL but faces its sternest test at home Friday against unbeaten Mead. The Panthers won the 16-team championship bracket at last weekend's annual Cross-Over Tournament which features the top teams in state.

The Bears, second to West Valley-Yakima in their pool, reached the finals of the bracket for the 16 runner-up pool teams, placing 18th overall in the 64-team event.

The fate of Central Valley's soccer team will be decided over the final four matches of the season. The Bears share a 5-0 record with two other Greater Spokane League teams, although they currently stand third, a point behind, because of their shootout win over Lewis and Clark following scoreless regulation and overtimes. Wednesday, CV faced league co-leader Gonzaga Prep. On Friday, CV plays ever-dangerous Mead and then next Wednesday holds a match against unbeaten Mt. Spokane. … Logan Giese finished sixth, timing 15:49.58 in Division I of the Richland Invitational Saturday. It was also a tune-up on the course that hosts the state qualifying regional Oct. 27. … Alexandria Moore was sixth and Skye Sanders 12th in the girls Division I race. … Slowpitch softball playoffs begin Monday with the championship Oct. 18.