Big emotions, big game

West Valley High has all the motivation in the world on its side to beat Sutter — the team lost to the Huskies 21-20 in last year's section title game.

But don't think for a minute that Sutter doesn't have its fair share of drive headed into tonight's Division II Northern Section championship rematch game at Wayne Gadberry Stadium — after all, it will be Sutter coach Scott Turner's final game.

"It's been great. It's been my life for the last 22 years," said Turner, who is also the athletic director of a strong sports program at the school. "I eat, breathe and sleep football, with a little fishing and hunting in between. It's completely been about Sutter High School."

Turner announced this would be his final season as coach last year.

No. 1 Sutter (10-1) defeated West Valley 21-14 in 2006 before edging the Eagles in last year's title game.

No. 2 West Valley (9-2) rolled Sutter 40-19 in 2005. The Eagles' two losses this season came from Shasta and Lassen, while Sutter's only blemish was a heartbreaker to Central Catholic of Modesto, which kicked a last-minute field goal to win the game.

"We've created a pretty good football program out here," Turner said. "I will definitely miss part of it when I step back."

In the past four seasons, Sutter has gone 39-7 and has won 22 of its last 23 games.

But Turner is well aware that the team Sutter plays today also boasts a strong football program.

"The number-one thing that they're going to have is we have beat them in the past and they're just dying to get a win against us," Turner said. "They've got that behind them."

The team from Cottonwood in Shasta County brings a well-balanced attack and stingy defense into the game.

Quarterback Josh Barrett is 62 of 108 passing for 1,108 yards, 14 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. Primary target Joel Dumore has 24 recorded catches for 582 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Meanwhile, the Eagles mix up the ball carriers — six running backs have 30 or more carries this season.

Bobby Guyton leads the team with 99 carries for 602 yards, while Ben Bradshaw leads the team with 10 touchdowns. Guyton has six touchdowns, while five other players have 100 yards or more on the ground.

"They're always a good team," said Sutter quarterback Jon Garcia. "We've had close games every time. I think it's going to be a pretty good game."

Defensively, West Valley allows less than 10 points per game and unleashes a big, powerful line on both sides of the field.

"They're a good program," Turner said. "They're coached well, they've got good team speed and they definitely want to win the section, and we're the ones that want to hold on to it. It's going to be a battle."

Quarterback Jon Garcia mirrors Barrett's numbers, throwing 16 touchdowns and just two interceptions on 54 of 91 passing for 1,186 yards. Brian Southers has hauled in 24 of those passes for 532 yards and six touchdowns.

Dane Turner and Rowdy Robinson have managed the ground attack just fine, each posting more than eight yards per carry and a combined 31 touchdowns.

But it's on defense which Sutter has truly dominated.

"Everyone knows us for our defense," said Sutter linebacker Devin DeWitt. "We're well-prepared for every team that we play."

DeWitt, along with Austin Morehead and Zach Prosser, have been the catalyst on the defensive side of the ball.

The three have combined for nearly 450 total tackles this season, which accounts for almost half of the team's total tackles. Morehead also has 11 sacks, while Dariusz Ratajczak has six interceptions.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.