‘We love being the underdogs,’ West Valley football soars back to 2A state as No. 11 seed

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. – West Valley football is an impressive 9-1 heading into the WIAA 2A state playoffs, the only remaining GSL team alive in that bracket.

“It’s pretty amazing,” quarterback Nathan Zettle said. “I wish that people would give us more love, and I feel like they kinda disrespected us from the seeding, but that’s just how it is, and we love being the underdogs.”

Zettle references West Valley’s No. 11 seeding despite that 9-1 record, one that highlights their Week 2 loss to Lakeside followed by eight-straight wins to now.

“I think we’ve figured ourselves out a little bit, and what we can do, and what we do really well,” head coach Craig Whitney said. “And so, we kinda focus on that. I think the team has really gelled together, and that’s the most important thing, is they’re out here doing it together.”

West Valley won every game since the start of October by at least four scores, including a 41-point win over Aberdeen, fueled by a three-score game by running back Elijah Newman.

“It’s just on me,” running back Elijah Newman said. “I just gotta trust my linemen, follow my blocks and do me.”

The Eagles cite their brotherhood and togetherness to their success, the team playing with a chip on their shoulder as that No. 11 seed forces them on the road this weekend.

“I’d say, it’s definitely a chip,” wide receiver Eric Borg said. “This is a good 2a year, there’s some good programs. I think an 11 seed is a little unfair to us, but I think there’s definitely some good teams out there, but I think it’s a little disrespectful to be an 11 seed for us. I mean, 9-1, we haven’t had a close game in a couple of weeks from what I remember.”

“I’ve always questioned about what’s a team going to be like, these guys are a joy to be around, and we’re thankful to practice yesterday and today on two days off of school,” Whitney said. “Pretty awesome.”

West Valley kicks off at the 8-2 Lynden Lions this Saturday at 2:00 p.m.