Gridiron Debut For Four Players On Mt. Spokane’s Infant Football Program, The Season’s Been Full Of Lessons

The inaugural football season for Mt. Spokane’s first-time varsity athletes has been a learning experience - particularly so for a quartet of players who hadn’t donned pads since junior high.

Each had their reasons for awaiting the opening of the new Mead District high school to play.

For Troy Bishop, a 6-2, 200-pound starting linebacker, it was because he was worn out from a heavy summer’s basketball schedule.

Wide receiver Justin Gaston had never really considered football, having not played since seventh grade. He was more into basketball and track.

Wide receiver Josh Cowart missed his sophomore year at Mead because he had undergone jaw surgery to correct a misaligned bite.

Said nose guard Andy Bolich, “I had no particular reason. I didn’t play and should have. I was not motivated.”

This year has been different.

“I thought, with the new school and friends, it would be a good way to socialize and become a better athlete,” said Gaston.

Both Bishop and Cowart had planned to play football even if they were still at Mead.

Cowart said he felt cheated by the jaw surgery that took him out of the mix for a while.

“It put me behind and it took huge strides to get back on top again,” he said.

Added Bishop, who is substantially bigger than his 160-pound cohorts, “This summer was not as bad. I would have played no matter what school.”

Players from last year’s Panther junior varsity and the newcomers have been rushed into battle sooner than normal because there is no senior class at Mt. Spokane-Mead.

“Most obvious was the lack of summer preparation,” said coach Mike McLaughlin, who coached Mead to an eighth straight playoff appearances. “Football is not an easy sport.”

Seniors, he said, approach their final year with a sense of urgency that younger athletes can’t understand.

Last summer, after just three weeks, coaches closed the weight room for lack of interest.

The four juniors admit they are learning. Playing a strictly non-league schedule, they are currently winless, although their final two games come against new schools like themselves.

“The schedule has been unyielding,” said McLaughlin, who still preferred it to playing in the GSL. “We’ve accomplished some things.”

Mt. Spokane’s 49 players have all gained substantial playing time either in junior varsity and varsity games. The team has usually played one good half, but has faltered in the other.

“They haven’t taken a backstep,” said McLaughlin. “There have been letdowns, but they’ve rallied back. The practice attitude week in and week out has been very good.”

The difference next year, all four first-timers agree, will be greater consistency, maturity and confidence gained through off-season weight training.

“We have been outmatched physically a lot of times,” said Gaston.

“Like every time,” added Cowart.

This year players expect to be more committed. It is incumbent, they say, to set the tone.

“You watch the films, see yourself get kicked and think, ‘welcome to the weight room,”’ said Bolich, a national rodeo participant and student body officer.

The players, however, have enjoyed the experience and are looking forward to being the first senior football class for the Wildcats.

“It’s not been as frustrating as you might think,” said Cowart. “Because out in practice you see how much you’ve improved. Success will come.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo