In The Rickard Books Record-Breaking Republic Receiver Focuses On Desales - And Another Mark

Chad Averill might want to check out his old school against Republic on Saturday.

There’s a chance Averill’s final state record will fall to the guy who has taken away his other two records.

Republic senior Mark Rickard needs three touchdown receptions against DeSales to tie Averill’s career mark of 49, set between 1989-92.

Last week, during a State B-11 playoff win over Asotin, Rickard had eight receptions to give him 184 for his career - four more than Averill.

Earlier this season Rickard passed Averill’s record for career receiving yards. With 1,092 for the season, Rickard sits at 3,830 for his four-year Tigers career.

The records, incidentally, are for all classifications except B-8.

Footballs should be airborne when Republic (11-0) meets DeSales (10-1) at 3 p.m. at Albi Stadium for a State B-11 semifinal. The winner plays for the state title Dec. 7 at Gridiron Classic II in the Tacoma Dome.

Sophomore Brian Lindgren is the latest DeSales sensation at quarterback. With the numbers he put up this season - 207 completions, 3,761 yards, 43 TDs he could surpass what Pat Graham notched for the Irish from 1989-91 (468, 7,922, 85).

Graham led DeSales to its lone state title during his senior year.

Two years after that, Concrete High grad Don Beazizo landed in Republic and installed a DeSales-type offense. The emphasis on passing, historically sneered upon in the run-happy Northeast B-11, took two years to get off the ground.

From the start, Beazizo counted on Rickard. As a wide-eyed freshman in his first game, Rickard caught the initial pass thrown to him.

“I remember it was an awesome feeling,” Rickard said. “The first play in I had a 14-yard catch. I felt the chills and all.”

Rickard also snared his first career interception during the game. With 13 pickoffs this year, one shy of the state record for one season, Rickard has 32 for his career. The all-time state leader, Oroville’s Cory Howe, graduated last year with 33.

“The receptions, they’ve always been there and have always been a goal of mine,” Rickard said. “But the interception (record) would be really neat because it was such a long shot that I could get it.”

During Rickard’s sophomore year, Beazizo call upon Rickard’s classmate and best friend, Jason Baldwin, to run the offense. Baldwin’s 10th-grade season was nothing like the one Lindgren encountered at DeSales.

“It was a rough year,” Baldwin said. “I think I threw 22 interceptions.”

Beazizo said he could easily have stuck Rickard at QB and produced results. But Beazizo liked Baldwin’s toughness and knew his size (155 pounds) would limit him on the field.

Halfway through his sophomore year, Baldwin lost his spot at defensive back. “Concentrate on offense,” Beazizo told Baldwin.

Concentrate he did. Baldwin cut his interceptions in half as a junior and helped the Tigers to their first postseason appearance, in the state qualifying round.

With his 112 completions, 2,151 passing yards and 33 TDs this year Baldwin’s career marks are 337, 5,962 and 72. His interceptions this year have dropped to five.

The Baldwin-to-Rickard connection also works in basketball and baseball. Republic came up one win short of advancing to last year’s State B Tournament. Baldwin led the Panorama League in scoring and Rickard finished second.

Rickard’s father Rory (Republic Class of ‘71) coaches the basketball team. Rory, who played at Eastern Washington, still stands tied for third in state prep history with five kickoff returns for TDs. Right behind him, with four, is Mark Rickard.

Morton and Willapa Valley, both 11-0, play in the other semifinal, this morning at the Tacoma Dome.

Morton lost to Tacoma Baptist in last year’s semi. Quarterback Curt Storm, and running backs Hugh Herron and B.J. Mortensen have combined for nearly 2,700 rushing yards for Morton.

Pacific League most valuable player Mike Miller leads Willapa Valley. He has thrown for 1,532 yards and 25 TDs with just three interceptions.

WV defensive end Josh Fluke is nearing 100 tackles.

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