Ray Flaherty Finalists Announced

More than $12,000 will be distributed among 10 area high school football players at the fourth annual Ray Flaherty football banquet on Martin Luther King Day.

Each finalist receives a $1,000 scholarship, with additional money given to the Ray Flaherty winner and a lineman and back of the year.

The event, at the Doubletree Inn in downtown Spokane, is sponsored by the Inland Northwest chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame.

The speaker for this year’s event is Chris Tormey, head football coach at the University of Idaho.

The Jan. 19 dinner begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling 924-7768.

All 10 finalists have grade point averages above 3.5 and earned numerous honors on the football field. They are also judged for their community involvement and leadership.

Finalists include Luke Bowman of Lewis and Clark; Aaron Carr of Medical Lake; Dave Mattingley of Sandpoint; Brandon Muzatko of Mead; Kevin O’Connell of Gonzaga Prep; Jason Robisch of Central Valley; Dave Rust of Sandpoint; Matt Smith of Freeman; Fred Sunday of Chewelah; and Justin Ulmer of Rogers.

All area high schools are encouraged to nominate a senior back and lineman of the year.

Previous Flaherty winners include Brian Smith of Sandpoint, Giorgio Usai of Central Valley and Paul Shogren of East Valley.

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