University Prep and West Valley are an even 3-3 against one another since November of 2018, but not for long. The Panthers will head out to face off against the Eagles at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. University Prep will be strutting in after a win while West Valley will be coming in after a defeat.
University Prep will roll into the contest after a wild two-game stretch: they only put up six points two weeks ago, then bounced right back against Anderson on Friday. The Panthers were the clear victors by a 32-6 margin over the Cubs. Considering the Panthers have won three games by more than 25 points this season, Friday's blowout was nothing new.
Talis Payne
| 10/24/25 vs Anderson | 210 |
| 10/17/25 vs Lassen | 97 |
| 09/19/25 vs McKinleyville | 90 |
| 10/10/25 @ Central Valley | 82 |
| 09/26/25 @ Fortuna | 39 |
It was another big night for Talis Payne, who rushed for 210 yards and one score on only 12 carries, and also threw for 140 yards and one touchdown. Those 210 rushing yards gave him a new career-high. Braeden Ballensky was in the mix as well, providing University Prep with two TDs.
University Prep didn't let much get past them through the air: they limited Anderson to a completion percentage of just 28%. That dominant aerial defense primarily came from four players: Ballensky, Jordan Graves, Tyson Wurzer, and Nate Thomas, who each logged one passes deflected. University Prep has been improving in that area: they had allowed a completion percentage of 0.64 earlier this season, but they've only allowed one of 0.64 in their last three games.
University Prep didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Kaden Hoyer and Isaiah Dewitt. University Prep got some further help from Graves: he made ten total tackles (2.0 for loss) and defended one pass.
Meanwhile, West Valley played a tough matchup on Friday in which they were outscored in every quarter. They came up short against Lassen, falling 42-21. The Eagles haven't had much luck with the Grizzlies recently, as the team has come up short the last three times they've met.
The match pitted two dominant backs against one another in Chayce Reed and Dowan Stephens. Stephens had a great game and rushed for 238 yards and three touchdowns while picking up 7.2 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Reed did his best for the losing side, rushing for 101 yards and one score.
West Valley's loss dropped their record down to 5-3. As for University Prep, their victory bumped their record up to 3-5.
University Prep beat West Valley 23-10 in their previous meeting back in November of 2024. One of the biggest obstacles trying to stand in the way of that victory was the Eagles' Cooper Staup, who rushed for 154 yards and one TD. Now that he won't be playing on Saturday, will it be easier for the Panthers to walk away with another win? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.
