BRIAN FITZGERALD/Yakima Herald-Republic Prosser's Jared Hancock (5) runs through heavy West Valley traffic during a first-quarter run at West Valley High School on Friday, October 8, 2004. Prosser won, 17-14.

At the start of the season, Jared Hancock knew full well what his role would be on Prosser's football team.

He was a third-string running back behind two older, more experienced ball carriers and it was a position further cemented when the 5-foot-7 sophomore suffered an ankle sprain and missed the first three games.

But all the while Hancock had a confidence beyond his years.

"I was the third guy with two great backs (Ivan Merino and Steve Marley) in front of me and I have all the respect in the world for those guys," he said. "But I was hoping to get a chance to show I could hang with them."

Hancock got that chance Friday night.

And he helped the Mustangs hang a hard-fought 17-14 victory on West Valley in a Mid-Valley League showdown of unbeatens at a wind-swept and rainy Clasen Field.

With Merino slowed by a leg bruise, Hancock broke loose for 127 of his career-best 145 yards in the second half as third-ranked Prosser rallied from a 14-7 halftime deficit.

Not only did the young Hancock deliver big yardage, including the game-tying touchdown from 10 yards out late in the third period, but he also recovered a fumble in the final quarter.

"I told the coaches that I was feeling something inside today, like I was ready to have a good game," said Hancock. "They showed confidence in me and it feels great to come through and help the team."

The sturdy Merino still carried the ball a game-high 23 times for 59 yards, spearheaded a defensive effort that shut the Rams out in the second half and kicked the game-winning field goal with 9:05 remaining.

"None of us felt like we played to our ability in the first half," said the all-state linebacker. "But our blocking and tackling was so much better in the second half. My leg was hurting, but Bubba (Hancock) really stepped up. He's a tough kid."

Hancock had two big breakaway runs in the second half that setup the decisive scores. His first was a 33-yarder that led to his touchdown, which tied the game at 14-14 with 1:06 left in the third period.

The second was a 35-yarder on Prosser's next drive, which culminated with Merino's 22-yard field goal — his first such attempt of the season.

Anything short of its spirited effort in the second half and Prosser would've been the one going home with its first loss.

Down 7-0, the Rams took charge in the second quarter with a pair of touchdowns in a two-minute blitz.

Eric Borton capped an eight-play, 59-yard drive with a 1-yard plunge to tie the game, and Joel Wolfard bolted 55 yards on a counter play that put West Valley up 14-7 with 6:56 left in the half.

BRIAN FITZGERALD/Yakima Herald-Republic West Valley's Jordan Juarez (7) intercepts a pass during third quarter action at West Valley on Friday, October 8, 2004. Prosser won, 17-14.

For the entire second quarter Prosser battled poor field position and faced a nasty, wet wind. The Mustangs managed only one first down in that period.

"We had some lousy weather and some big adversity here, but you guys kept grinding and grinding," Prosser coach Tom Moore told his huddled team after the game. "You guys didn't give up and that's what it's all about."

West Valley's defense was stout as well, holding Prosser 26 points under its season average. Jordan Jaurez and Zeke Fife each had an interception for the Rams, who forced Prosser to punt a season-high seven times.

In the final month of the regular season, Prosser (3-0 league, 6-0 overall) and West Valley (2-1, 5-1) have three remaining league games against the same opponents — Selah, Wapato and Ellensburg.

Prosser 7 0 7 3 — 17

West Valley 0 14 0 0 — 14

Pro — Danny Lochrie 30 pass from Kellen Moore (Bud Sexton kick)

WV — Eric Borton 1 run (Tyler McDonald kick)

WV — Joel Wolfard 55 run (McDonald kick)

Pro — Jared Hancock 10 run (Sexton kick)

Pro — FG Ivan Merino 22

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — Pro, Hancock 19-145, Merino 23-59. WV, Wolford 7-85, Chase Bosley 8-34, Phillip Jennings 7-8, Brandon Sears 11-2, Borton 3-0.

PASSING — Pro, Moore 7-18-2-90. WV, Jennings 2-10-1-26

RECEIVING — Pro, Lochrie 2-39, Miguel Perez 2-21, Shane Smith 1-18, Jorgen Gilbertson 1-7, Sexton 1-5. WV, Dan Girard 1-16, Sears 1-10.