Expect the unexpected - and the expected - in the GSL
PREPS UPDATED 10 A.M.
After four weeks of prep football action, there are two undefeated teams atop the Greater Spokane League standings. One was expected, one wasn't. And they'll meet next weekend.
The expected? Gonzaga Prep, and the Bulldogs have not disappointed, with a 4-0 overall record and a 3-0 mark in the GSL after Friday night's 38-6 romp over University.
The Pups have owned the Titans recently, having won the last six meetings between the schools. They also have a five game winning streak against Ferris, the other undefeated GSL school – and this year's surprise.
Under first-year head coach Jim Sharkey, the Saxons are 4-0 after passing over Shadle Park 35-14 in a non-league game at Albi. Jeff Minnerly, making his first start at quarterback in place of the injured Shawn Stockton, threw for more than 300 yards in the win.
The teams will meet Friday at Albi in the 8:30 game.
That wasn't the only prep football action on Friday. In a big early season Great Northern League showdown, Pullman pounded West Valley in the Eagles first GNL game. Cheney and Clarkston, who along with WV dropped into the GNL from the GSL this season, won their openers.
Davenport entered Friday's showdown with Reardan undefeated and top-ranked in the 2B ranks and left it with questions after a 32-0 Indian shellacking, highlighting small-school action in Washington.
Over in Idaho, Coeur d'Alene ran past Lakeland 35-14, Post Falls easily handled Moscow and Sandpoint earned its first win of the year. Also, Ferndale, one of Washington's top-ranked 3A teams, traveled across the state and walloped Lewiston 34-19.
In other news from around Washington, the phenomenal success posted by Bellevue High has brought up allegations in the Seattle area of recruiting by the 3A power. But, according to a story in today's Times, a school district investigation found no credible evidence of recruiting.
The district did uncover, however, that head coach Butch Goncharoff is being paid by the program's booster club $55,000 a year above his school stipend. $55,000? That's more than most teachers make in the classroom. Goncharoff is not a teacher at the school.
This a revelation we will be discussing here over the next week. And, of course, I would love your comments after you've read the story. Just click the Comments link below.
UPDATE (FROM HERE DOWN): Around the state, O'Dea isn't off to its best year, running its record to 2-2 with a win over Seattle Prep on Friday night.
I'm starting to get sick of writing this, but another high school football player was killed this week in the Puget Sound area. Evergreen's Mike Miller was shot and killed by his younger stepbrother, according to police cited in this Seattle Times story. News like this makes it hard to care about scores.
But there is more positive stories that come out of high school sports than negative, so let's dwell on one of those. Here's a Tacoma piece about some unexpected heroes in Friday night's games.
South Kitsap and Lincoln we