Frontier At A Glance
Cheney Blackhawks
1995 record: 7-0-0, 9-1-0, first place, lost in first round of state playoffs to Prosser.
Coach: Tom Oswald
Years coaching and record: 24, 19th at Cheney, 170-134-9
Returning starters: Tucker Urdahl, 6-0, 170, sr., QB-FS; John Patterson, 5-7, 170, sr., RB; Chris Collins, 5-11, 170, sr., WRK-SS; Colin Fiddes, 5-9, 160, WR; Matt Conrath, 6-0, 170, jr., WR; Romanus Chodorowski, 6-3, 225, jr., TE-LB; Pat Heeren, 6-2, 240, sr., OG; Paul Tabino, 6-0, 235, sr., OG; Bryan Miller, 5-10, 195, sr., C-LB; Paul Murphy, 6-2, 205, sr., OT; Nick Reynolds, 6-2, 200, jr., LB; Tom Jud, 5-10, 235, sr., NG.
Quick kicks: The Blackhawks graduated some heavy hitters at linebacker but probably have as good a line as there is in league including returning all-Frontier Tabino on offense. Also returned is rusher Patterson and because Oswald plays so many athletes, there is a wealth of experience at all positions.
Coach’s comment: “Our kids think they’re going to win. If we get some play at quarterback, yeah. I think we’re pretty good defensively, we’re really quick with kids who can hit you. We just have to get the ball to the big-play guys.”
Outlook: With two straight league titles and five in the past eight years, coupled with athleticism of its newcomers, it’s tough to pick against Cheney.
East Valley Knights
1995 record: 4-1-1, 6-2-1, second place
Coach: Jim Clements
Years coaching and record: 15, fifth at EV, 90-55-4
Returning starters: Paul Shogren, 6-0, 190 sr., C-DE; T.J. Horgan, 6-1, 230, jr., OG-DT; Joe Furgason, 5-9, 250, sr., OT-DT; Ryan Stengle, 6-2, 240, jr., OT-DT; Kris Rankin, 6-0, 210, sr., TE. Brian Lamarche, 6-1, 195, sr., QB; Chuck VanNote, 5-5, 170, sr., RB-LB.
Quick kicks: With an inexperienced line but veteran backfield, the Knights last year came within two field goals of a league championship. This year the entire line, including second-team all-Frontier center Paul Shogren, and quarterback Brian Lamarche return, and the team has been strengthened by a couple transfers.
Coach’s comment: “We lost (graduated) 85 percent of our scoring punch but the offense is encouraging with the linemen and quarterback returned. Defensively we lost everyone and might start seven juniors. That scares me.”
Outlook: As close as the Knights came to winning it last year, if the offensive backfield performs the way the Knights hope, they could slip past the Blackhawks this year and win league.
Colville Indians
1995 record: 1-5-0, 3-6-0, sixth place
Coach: Ken Emmil
Years coaching and record: seventh at Colville, 16-45-2.
Returning starters: Jimmy Day, 6-1, 185, sr., QB; Cailen McCurdy, 6-1, 185, sr., RB; Brady Noble, 6-2, 230, sr., RB-LB; Glen Vaagen, 6-4, 265, sr., C-DL; Nick Easter, 6-2, 255, OG-DL; Matt Rainer, 5-11, 220, sr., OG-DL; Mike Franks, 6-2, 215, sr., OT; Paul Smith, 6-0, 200, sr., TE-DL; Richie Lowry, 6-3, 200, sr., TE; Todd Davis, 5-9, 200, jr., DE; Justin Fox, 6-0, 165, WR-LB; Josh Salina, 6-3, 185, sr., WR-LB; Justin Divis, 5-9, 160, jr., DB.
Quick kicks: The entire starting lineup is back, including second-team all-leaguers Smith and Easter in the line, McCurdy at running back and Noble on defense. Smith has moved to tight end from center and Vaagen has moved to center from tight end. Noble is now in the backfield. Last year the 3-6 Indians upset Post Falls and played Frontier teams tough in defeat.
Coach’s comment: “We made a couple moves of kids that are going to help us. For the first time I’ve been here the kids think they’re going to win. There are expectations now for them and in the past there have been none.”
Outlook: Most coaches in the Frontier consider Colville to be a title contender for the first time. The key to a league championship is whether the players can forget about the past.
Clarkston Bantams
1995 record: 3-3-0, 3-6-0, fourth-place tie
Coach: Dave Curtis
Years coaching and record: 19, 10th at Clarkston, 113-67-2
Returning starters: J.D. Burns, 6-5, 175, sr., QB; Aaron Jelinek, 6-1, 175, sr., WR-DB; Kyle Stiffarm, 5-11, 170, sr., WR-DB; Brett Wheeler, 5-10, 170, RB-DB; Jeremy Burt, 5-10, 215, sr., OT-DT; Matt Boland, 5-11, 175, sr., TE-LB; Tom Lyden, 5-10, 170, jr., RB-DB.
Quick kicks: Clarkston has perhaps the best skilled position players in league with the return of 6-5 quarterback Burns, second-team all-leaguer Jelinek and Stiffarm at receiver and second-team all-league running back Wheeler. Finding linemen is a top priority.
Coach’s comment: “I pick us to be a strong contender. Our main strength is this is the most balanced team I’ve had since I’ve been here. The defensive line is new, that’s the big thing. We’re trying to find more depth.”
Outlook: Following two straight titles, Clarkston has been in the middle of the league for two years in a row. Are they improved enough to expect better?
Riverside Rams
1995 record: 3-3-0, 5-4-0, fourth-place tie
Coach: Allen Martin
Years coaching and record: Sixth, all at Riverside, 29-18
Returning starters: Micah Lundberg, 6-2, 195, sr., WR-LB; Ryan Baker, 5-10, 170, WR-DB-K; Joe Beckham, 6-0, 185, WR-DB; Cory Ramsey, 5-10, 160, sr., WR-DB; Steve Patterson, 5-11, 160, sr., TE-LB; Jason Vanderholm, 6-2, 245, sr., C-DT. Ty Redinger, 5-9, 165, sr., RB.
Quick kicks: A quartet of returning receivers compiled impressive stats last year. But league MVP Joel Schurtz at quarterback has graduated. There is more size in the line and the Rams have had three straight winning seasons, including their first as a AA school.
Coach’s comment: “This is the best corps of receivers I’ve had in 10 years. Like last year, if teams look past us we could hurt them. The kids think they have a chance.”
Outlook: How quickly new quarterback Danny Leaf and a new backfield matures will determine the extent of Riverside’s playoff challenge.
West Valley Eagles
1995 record: 3-2-1, 4-4-1, third place
Coach: Steve Kent
Years coaching and record: 11, 46-52-3
Returning starters: Ty Gregorak, 6-3, 245, sr., QB-LB; Ryan Stockton, 6-1, 240, OL-DL; Eric Enger, 5-7, 150, sr., RB-DB; Luke Rieker, 6-0, 230, sr., C-DL; Brian Lawler, 6-2, 245, sr., OL-DL.
Quick kicks: In quarterback and fourth-year starting linebacker Gregorak (who was a second-team all-state tight end), WV has one of the two most highly sought after collegiate prospects in the area. WV has experienced linemen, but little depth. The backfield is tiny, speedy, new.
Coach’s comment: “We’re trying the wishbone at this point because we have a lot of quick kids. Ty’s been a quarterback his whole life so we might as well take advantage of it. We have to try and stay healthy and control the ball.”
Outlook: The Eagles are the league enigma. They have quality individuals who could make a difference. But a small turnout that makes them susceptible to injury could blunt any playoff thoughts.
Pullman Greyhounds
1995 record: 0-6-0, 1-8-0, seventh place
Coach: Bill Christie
Years coaching and record: five, all at Pullman, 18-18-1
Returning starters: L.C. Baxter, 5-9., 180, sr., WR-DB; Justin Smith, 5-11, 175, sr., WR-DB; Ryan Smaha, 6-0, 170, WR-DB; Forest Hulbert, 5-9, 170 SB-DB; Serign Marong, 6-2, 200, sr., OT-LB; Mike Hobbs, 5-11, 180, sr., TE-LB; Jason Tyler, 5-11, 160, sr., OG-LB. Kurt Druffel, 5-9, 160, sr., OG-LB.
Quick kicks: In offensive lineman Marong the Greyhounds not only have a 6-2, 200-pound athlete but one fast enough to run the sprints at state, which is why he will play linebacker on defense. Hulbert moves from part-time quarterback to full-time slotback to make way for junior Linehan. The Greyhounds are not particularly big and thin at defensive back.
Coach’s comment: “At this point, coming off a season like last year, our goal is to improve with the attitude we’ll get a little better each day.”
Outlook: The Greyhounds do have talent and quickness. They hope to parlay that with a look to return to playoff contention.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch 1. Ty Gregorak, WV, QB-LB. Colleges throughout the country have expressed interest. 2. Paulo Tabino, Cheney, OL. Anchors a veteran line that was strength of last year’s champs. 3. Brady Noble, Colville, RB-LB. At 230 pounds, this all-league defender will beef up offense. 4. Brett Wheeler, Clarkston, RB-LB. League’s leading returning rush leader is one to watch out for. 5. Brian Lamarche, EV, QB. Made big plays for the Knights last year and should do so again. 6. Aaron Jelinek, Clarkston, WR-DB. Three-sport athlete high jumps 6-7. He will get up and get the ball. 7. Joe Beckham, Riverside, WR-DB. League’s touchdown receiving leader with seven TDs. 8. Trevor Baker, Riverside, WR-K. Three-position player was an all-state kicker as a sophomore and had 15 catches receiving last year, 9. Serign Marong, Pullman, OT-LB. This 6-2, 200-pounder qualified for state in the 100-meter dash. And he plays line! 10. Cailen McCurdy, Colville, RB. Returning second-team all-leaguer is bigger, faster, stronger. 11. August Parker, Cheney, WR. Newcomer is a specimen at 6-5, 195, who will provide a large and agile target for his quarterbacks.