Revenge factor in semis

Bob Cloud

Friday, Nov. 8, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Two teams seek a measure of revenge, but there's more than just retribution on the line in today's Southern AAAA football semifinals.

Bonanza (5-5) travels to Western (9-1) for a 4 p.m. kickoff and Valley (10-0) hosts Green Valley (7-3) at 7 p.m. For the Warriors and Gators, the games not only offer the opportunity to advance to next week's zone final, but also to avenge regular-season losses.

The Bengals handed Western its only defeat, 21-7 in September, while the Vikings beat Green Valley 28-23 in October.

Green Valley will take the field tonight with starting quarterback Ian Jones, who sat out the last game with the Vikings with an injured shoulder. Valley coach Greg Murphy said he expects to see a different Gator offense this time around.

"It makes a big difference with him in there," Murphy said. "With Jones they can run and pass equally well. He also brings them leadership and a whole lot of confidence."

"I think the main thing we get with Ian back is a much more balanced attack," said Green Valley coach Larry Thomas. "Hopefully, our kids will know Valley beat us the last time out and we'll show better."

Valley counters with senior running back LaRontae Johnson, who scored three touchdowns in the first game between the teams. Johnson has shown the propensity for fast starts this season, as he has scored on either the first or second play of the game on three occasions.

"That's scary," said Thomas. "They're one play away from a touchdown on every play. You always have to watch him. We're not that kind of team this year. We have to earn the drive. We have to control the football and keep it out of his hands."

In the first meeting, Valley jumped to a 28-0 halftime lead and held on for the win, stopping Green Valley at the Vikings' five-yard line late in the game. Murphy said his team can't afford to have any letdowns in the rematch.

"No question, that's what we've been preaching to our kids all week," he said.

Despite their unbeaten status, Murphy said he believes the Vikings have been unable to garner the accolades an unbeaten squad should receive.

"I still don't feel we're getting the respect a 10-0 team should get," Murphy said. "It seems a lot of people are just waiting for us to fall. We're not looked upon as a championship team, but that's certainly a motivational tool."

At Western, Warriors coach Rich Stevens said he's playing the revenge card, although he acknowledged that his top priority was slowing down Bonanza running back Robert Thomas. On the other side, Bengals coach Nick Butera downplayed the payback factor.

"Revenge is a factor, but Robert Thomas is a very big factor," Stevens said. "The first time we fumbled the football six times. You can't give up the rock like that. We must cut back on the turnovers."

"That game was so long ago," Butera said. "I haven't even looked at it that way. We've had so many ups and downs since then. It really hasn't hit us."

KLAV 1230-AM will broadcast both of the playoff games. The station will carry the Green Valley-Valley contest live beginning at 7 p.m., with a television replay to be shown on Prime Cable Metro 1 Thursday at 7 p.m. The Bonanza at Western battle will be aired on tape delay Tuesday at 2 p.m. and will be replayed on Prime Cable Metro 1 Wednesday at 7 p.m.