Frontier League Football In Predicted Order Of Finish

East Valley Knights

1996 record: 6-4, Frontier runner-up, lost in first round of state playoffs

Coach: Jim Clements

Years coaching, record: 16, 6th at EV, 96-59-4

Starters, lettermen returning: 7, 22

Base offense, defense: Wing T; 4-4

Top returners: T.J. Horgan, sr., 6-2, 237, G/DE; Ryan Stengle, sr., 6-3, 245, T/DT; Rusty Ruchert, sr., 5-7, 180, RB/LB; Nick Hansen, sr., 6-2, 205, OL/LB; Jared VanDuyne, sr., 5-11, 183, G/DE; Randy Pratt, sr., 5-10, 175, WR/DB/K; John Unser, 6-2, 185, TE/DB.

Newcomers: Brandon Blize, sr., 5-9, 150, WR/DB; Mitch Johnson, sr., 5-9, 155, WR/DB; Blake Horgan, soph., 6-2, 240, OT/DT; John Shogren, sr., 6-1, 183, C/DE; Brad Crockett, sr., 5-9, 155, RB/LB; Chris Dassow, jr., 5-10, 190, RB/LB; Kris Allen, sr., 5-8, 135, QB/DB; Jesse Quirk, jr., 6-3, 163, QB/DB.

Quick kicks: If experienced line can offset inexperienced backfield, Knights can live up to league favorites status accorded by rival coaches.

Coach’s comment: “If I had my druthers, I’d much rather have an experienced solid line and go from there than the other way around.”

Outlook: The Knights return four interior line members, including third-year starters Horgan and Stengle. There’s a wealth of new backfield talent with as many as 11 runners vying for playing time. How well quarterback develops will determine how far EV goes.

Cheney Blackhawks

1996 record: 6-3, 3rd

Coach: Tom Oswald

Years coaching, record: 21 yrs, 19 at Cheney, 127-68-6

Starters, lettermen returning: 9, 27

Base offense, defense: Wing T; 5-2

Top returners: Romanus Chodorowski, sr., 6-4, 235, TE/LB (first-team all-league both ways); Nick Reynolds, sr., 6-2, 205, TE/LB/K (first-team all-league kicker); Pat Stiffler, sr., 5-10, 155, QB; Matt Conrath, sr., 6-0, 175, DB; Shaun Hunley, sr., 5-10, 175, FB/CB; Jacob Clough, sr., 6-1, 215, OT/DT; Pat Laughlin, jr, 6-0, 185, RB; Matt Fox, jr., 6-0, 195, LB; Seth Morris, jr., 6-0, 210, Center.

Newcomers: Logan Royce, sr., 6-0, 195 FB (transfer from LC). Jason Stoddard, soph., 6-3, 235, OL; Blake Falor, soph., 6-2, 230; OL; Lewis Pardun, soph., 6-2, 303, OT.

Quick kicks: Oswald has won more than two-thirds of his games at Cheney and has been a perennial title challenger.

Coach’s comment: “We have a young offensive line, but the rest of the kids played quite a bit. And it always helps to have the quarterback back. We’ll be fine.”

Outlook: Cheney will start three sizeable sophomore linemen, but nine starters should ease their transition to the varsity. The Blackhawks have a strong backfield, welcome addition in Royce and history is on their side.

Clarkston Bantams

1996 record: 4-5, tied for 4th

Coach:Dave Curtis

Years coaching, record: 20, 11th at Clarkston, 117-72-2

Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 11

Base offense, defense: multiple-set, 4-4

Top returners: Tyson Thivierge, sr., 6-0, 205, OL/LB (first-team all-league offense); Will Johnson, sr., 6-0, 210, OL/ DL; D.J. Norland, sr., 6-0, 205, OL/DL; Tom Lyden, sr., 5-10, 175, RB/DB.

Newcomers: Brandon Ellis, jr., 5-10, 155, WR/DB; Will Smith, sr., 6-0, 175, QB/DB; Paul Skinner, sr., 5-10, 185, DE; Travis Phelps, jr., 5-10, 170, LB; Chris MCall, 5-10, 180, TE/DB; Paul Holman, jr., 5-10, 155 WR; Morga Smith, jr., 6-0, 145, WR/ DB.

Quick kicks: Clarkston has an inordinate number of team members who haven’t played before or who have been away from the game for awhile.

Coach’s comment:”Every year is kind of an adventure in the Frontier League. We really feel our line will match up with anybody and be very influential in our success.”

Outlook: The Bantams have the least experienced personnel in the league, but these tend to be the kind of Curtis-coached teams that surprise folks.

West Valley Eagles

1996 record:2-7 6th in league

Coach:Steve Kent

Years coaching, record: 12, 48-59-3

Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 16

Base offense, defense: Wishbone, 3-5

Top returners:Chris Hilsabeck, jr., 5-9, 170 RB/DB (first-team, all-league defense); Ryan Spivey, jr., 6-1 215, FB/ LB; Matt Heitala, jr., 6-1, 250, OL/DL. Josh Rieger, sr., 6-1, 180, OL/DL; Kyle Eickerman, sr., 6-1, 225, OL/DL; Ryan Soss, sr., 509, 185, OL/DL.

Newcomers:Nick Brumback, jr. 6-2, 190, QB; Brad Groh, jr., 6-3, 180, WR/DB; Rick Collins, jr., 6-1, 175, RB/LB; Lee Rottweiler, jr., 5-9, 180, FB/LB; Jesse Oka, jr., 6-0, 200, OL/LB; Juston Demke, jr., 5-8, 165, RB/LB; Tjay Frampton, jr., 5-6, 145, RB/DB; Trevor Britton, jr., 6-0, 175, RB/LB; Chris Sorenson, jr., 6-2, 209, TE/LB.

Quick kicks: The Eagles have a particularly talented junior class, but a dearth of seniors and linemen.

Coach’s comment: “We are looking at an 18-game season - scheduled over two years. We lettered several sophomores last year who will be the heart of our team.”

Outlook:Lack of lineman could put the Eagles at a competitive disadvantage, although the young, skilled kids are aggressive and hard-hitting. They’ll be asked to handle the load. , DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYERS TO WATCH Romanus Chodorowski, senior, 6-foot-4, 235, LB/TE, Cheney. With size and power, could be a Division-I recruit. T.J. Horgan, senior, two-way lineman, 6-foot-2, 237, East Valley. Three-year starter for the Knights at guard and defensive end. Ryan Stengle, senior, 6-3, 245, East Valley. Other half of the three-year two-way standout line tandem. Chris Hilsabeck, junior, 5-9, 170, RB/DB, West Valley. Speedy back could be primed for break-through year. Tyson Thivierge, senior 6-0, 205, LB/OL, Clarkston. Two-time wrestling state placer is a tough man to handle.