Ferris Kicker Joins Parade Of Publicized Recruits

Some people make a living debating the relative merits of high school athletes being recruited by colleges. Some are even football coaches, whose futures are often tied to the quality of the recruits they sign.

Some people report everything these self-proclaimed gurus say. Some of us mostly ignore them.

Seattle-area reporters fall all over each other letting readers know who may or may not sign on to deliver the Washington Huskies to the promised land. In the weeks leading up to Wednesday’s national letter of intent day, when colleges can actually sign these prized recruits, it seemed as if the reports became daily.

On occasions, though, one of ours gets the fabled 15 minutes of fame that we just have to pass on to you.

Rick Kimbrel, editor of Blue Chip magazine, had this to say about the potential of the Huskies’ recruiting efforts: “The guy I’m really excited about is the kicker they’re going to get, Randy Jones, from Spokane (Ferris). He’s rated No. 1 in the country by us, a Dream Teamer, the one everyone wanted.”

Jones, by the way, had a super Super Bowl Sunday. He was featured in Parade magazine as a member of its 1994 All-America High School Football Team. He was joined on the team by quarterback Brock Huard of Puyallup, who is following his brother’s footsteps to UW.

So, how much stock should we put into these prep predictions?

We’ll let you decide for yourself. Just consider, the other Parade kicker was Rodney Williams of Georgia. Running with the Seattle article praising Jones, SuperPrep All-American kickers were Andy Crosland of Texas and Kevin Kopka of Florida. No mention of Jones or Williams.

Another tidbit - Jones was only the second-team All-State kicker.

Openings

Bellevue football coach Dwaine Hatch, 61, has retired after 33 years of teaching and the past 19 as the head football coach. Bellevue won the 1983 state title.

There are 10 other Class AAA football jobs open, including Ferris and Shadle Park. The others are Battle Ground, Prairie, Davis, Shorewood, Issaquah, Auburn Riverside and Everett.

A nationwide search has begun for the Ferris opening. Among those rumored to be interested are former Eastern Washington coach Dick Zornes, former Whitworth coach Shorty Bennett, ultra-successful Prosser coach Tom Moore, Lewis and Clark assistant Clarence Hough and Ferris assistants James Fisher and Jim Missel.

Knocking it down

The single-game Greater Spokane League 3-point shooting record is continually under assault but it appears the season and career marks are safe.

The single-game record is seven, held by Toby Doolittle of Gonzaga Prep and Jon Millar of University. A number of gunners have hit five and six a game.

For a season, Millar had 51 two years ago. The top gunner now is Central Valley junior Corby Schuh with 34 in 12 games. Though he has a 3 in every league game, an average of four in the final four games wouldn’t get the job done.

For a career, Andy Moffett of Prep knocked down 81. Schuh could challenge that next year.

Shadle Park’s Kelly Bartleson is the only GSL girls player to score in double figures every game this season while Mead’s Jason Smith and Lewis and Clark’s Paul Mencke are the only boys.

The GSL has firmed up the To Be Announced games on the schedule. The only change is Gonzaga Prep going to North Central for a doubleheader on Friday, Feb. 10 with University and Mead moving into the Coliseum for the early games.

The girls playoff teams are basically set with five playing dates left, but there is plenty of jockeying for position. And, the championship should be decided on the final day when Mead and Shadle Park play the 7:45 game at the Coliseum. Other key games on the final night are Ferris at U-Hi and CV at G-Prep.

On the boys side, no one is out of the playoffs, but Mead is in control for the title.

Big games include Ferris-LC at the Coliseum Feb. 10 and LC-Mead at the Coliseum the following Tuesday. Every game is crucial for NC, Rogers and U-Hi, all 4-8 and tied for the final playoff spot, and Shadle Park, 3-9. Tuesday, Feb. 14, has the head-tohead matchups with University-Shadle Park and NC-Rogers.

Bare cupboard

Columbia, which began the basketball season short-handed when all-leaguer Gary Hughes transferred to Curlew, hasn’t had a change in fortunes.

Junior forward Robert Denison, who led Columbia with 15 points per Panorama League game, was recently removed from the team for disciplinary reasons, said coach Chuck Wyborney.

Senior guard Seth Hoiland, who averaged 8.7 ppg in the league, also has left the Lions.

Ailing champ

Northwest Christian senior Adam Rapelje, whose three-point play in overtime led the Crusaders to last year’s State B title, missed two Panorama games to rest a stress fracture.

Rapelje has averaged 8.8 points per league game. Rapelje returned Tuesday, when NWC broke from a South Division-leading tie with St. George’s after Springdale upset the Dragons.

Notable

Jaimee Hardenbrook, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter for Ferris, has accepted a volleyball scholarship at Western Washington.

John Durheim, a West Valley graduate, recently coached his 100th dual wrestling win at Cashmere. In nine years, Durheim is 100-3.

River Ridge sophomore Nick Woods died last Thursday from complications after hernia surgery the previous Monday. Woods was the leading scorer (19.5 points per game) for the second-year school in Lacey.