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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Gsl Back Rushing Into 200 Club

Dave Trimmer, Chris Derrick And Mike Vlahovich S Staff writer

The 200-yard rushing club in the Greater Spokane League used to be pretty exclusive. From 1941 through 1989, runners reached 200 yards just 30 times.

However, in the ‘90s, the number of 200-yard games swelled to 44.

The last two members of the club are Tim Benton of Ferris, who went for 257 last Thursday against Shadle Park, and Georgio Usai of Central Valley, who went for 285 on Friday.

Benton’s numbers were most impressive considering he ran the ball just 13 times. That has longtime GSL statistician Merle Derrick who has seen every 200-yard game in person - poring through his records book to see if any other 200-yard man accomplished so much with so few runs. The answer is a few days away.

Benton also cut one run short when he cramped up and went down with 40 open yards ahead of him.

Usai’s 25-carry effort was remarkable in that he wasn’t a projected starter when practice began and he did it against Lewis and Clark, a team traditionally strong against the run.

Also, both players doubled on defense.

There were four 200-yard games in the 1940s, nine in the ‘60s and ‘80s and eight in the ‘70s.

By the way, in the loss to CV, LC quarterback Paul Mencke put up just the 12th 300-yard passing game.

Home sweet home

North Central will host its first football game in more than 20 years when Cheney visits the Indians Friday at 4 in a non-league game.

The last time the Indians played on campus was Oct. 31, 1969, when they lost to Gonzaga Prep 53-0.

The big GSL game this week is the last one - CV against Mead at 8:30 at Albi Stadium. Those two teams, picked 1-2 in the preseason, were impressive in their openers last week. The 5:45 game is Rogers and LC, the teams that lost to Mead and CV, respectively.

Thursday’s games are Shadle-GPrep at 5 and Ferris-University at 7:30.

Linebacker to the rescue

You do what you have to and in the case of Cheney coach Tom Oswald, it was move Rick DeMulling back to quarterback.

The 6-foot-4, 230 pound tight end-linebacker was wearing number 80 and calling signals when the Blackhawks throttled Lake City 42-14 last week. He will work at least a quarter at QB against NC.

“We would be better off with him at tight end, but two kids (including prospective starter Tucker Urdahl) weren’t eligible,” said Oswald.

Urdahl and Brian Miller were involved in an all-star baseball tournament and missed eight practices. Urdahl expects to see action on Friday.

“Rick did a nice job,” said Oswald. “He ‘audibled’ off on a touchdown to Abdul (Odood).”

Odood, a senior wide receiver, touched the football just four times and wound up with 130 all-purpose yards, rushing twice for 87 yards on reverses and catching two passes for 43 yards and the score.

Originally, Oswald didn’t expect him back on the team. Odood had moved to Chicago, but returned to Cheney the Thursday before practices began.

“My daughter was the first one to tell me about it,” said Oswald. “I said, ‘Good. If he’s there, he’s there.’ I’m happy he was.”

The new Frontier

Jesse Ewell, East Valley’s bullish fullback and linebacker won’t sit out this week’s game at Lake City.

Ewell, who gained 221 yards on 32 carries during a win over Coeur d’Alene, was ejected late in the contest for questioning an official and a state rule says any ejection requires a one-game suspension.

Officials later rescinded the decision.

“The action didn’t warrant the consequences,” said coach Jim Clements, “We talked with the umpire-in-chief and he already cleared it with the state.” … Four of the league’s seven teams opened the season victoriously. Included was Riverside which trailed 10-3 at halftime against Deer Park before Joel Schurtz passed for two touchdowns and ran in with the winner. … West Valley, touted as a potential FL contender, fumbled eight times and lost three of them during its 28-0 loss to Lewiston. The Eagles gained only 137 yards of offense.

Getting a leg up

Lakeside senior placekicker Ryan Chicoine, an all-Northeast A League first-team returner, picked right up where he left off.

Chicoine kicked field goals of 47 and 37 yards against Kellogg during the Eagles’ season opener.

Around the state

Mark Perry, the wrestling coach at EV last year, returned to Snohomish to succeed legendary football coach Dick Armstrong, who had 279 wins in 32 years. Perry got his career off on the right track as the Panthers upset No. 4 Cascade of Everett 10-7. Cascade won the last six Western AAA titles and had a 41-game winning streak in league games. By the way, Armstrong couldn’t simply retire, he is a volunteer assistant at Concrete, his hometown. … Fifth-ranked Newport of Bellevue also lost, 39-22 at Inglemoor.

Kyle Wood of Marysville-Pilchuck, who led Class AAA running backs with 1,688 yards last year, opened with a 168-yard game. Look for Wood, a 5-11, 185-pound fullback in a wishbone offense, to get a lot of work. His quarterback is 5-foot-4 Blaine Morgan. … Drew Miller, the quarterback for No. 2 Lakes, hit 19 of 29 passes for 349 yards and six TDs. … Rogers of Puyallup beat Kentridge 56-34 as Brad Philley rushed for 307 yards and five TDs on 28 carries and quarterback Chad Johnson hit 16 of 23 passes for 328 yards and three TDs.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: In a rush Greater Spokane League’s all-time single-game rushing leaders: Archie Grant, Ferris, 1970 331 Robert Barlow, LC, 1993 290 Georgio Usai, CV, 1995 285 Frank Doctor, Shadle, 1967 274 Tim Benton, Ferris, 1995 257 Robert Barlow, LC, 1994 256 Rick Giampietri, NC, 1965 255 Robert Barlow, LC, 1994 253 Wally Gaskins, LC, 1960 246 Steve Hilde, Rogers, 1963 244

This sidebar appeared with the story: In a rush Greater Spokane League’s all-time single-game rushing leaders: Archie Grant, Ferris, 1970 331 Robert Barlow, LC, 1993 290 Georgio Usai, CV, 1995 285 Frank Doctor, Shadle, 1967 274 Tim Benton, Ferris, 1995 257 Robert Barlow, LC, 1994 256 Rick Giampietri, NC, 1965 255 Robert Barlow, LC, 1994 253 Wally Gaskins, LC, 1960 246 Steve Hilde, Rogers, 1963 244