The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
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GSL Preview Football

The Spokesman-Review

What’s the score?

A lot of backfields will have new faces. EV tailback Ryan Campbell led the league in rushing last year and can finish among the league’s all-time best with a similar year. Bullpup quarterback Max Manix (fifth) is the only other returnee among last year’s top 15 ground gainers, but keep an eye on Mead’s Luke Hattrup, who gained experience because of injuries to starters. If speedster Sean Adebayo at Rogers converts track speed to football speed, watch out. … Five starting quarterbacks return. Junior Danny Jordan from U-Hi was third in passing last year, Rogers junior Andrew Durant (when healthy) and Mt. Spokane senior Kyle Redmon are veterans to watch. … High-stats receivers back are Shawn Stockton (although he’s expected to start at QB), Mead’s Nick Proen and EV’s Cole Abramson (who’ll miss time with a broken foot). … Gonzaga Prep, Mead, EV and Mt. Spokane have mostly veteran lines, others are building. All-GSL players back are Mike Magee and Emilio Sulpizio of Mead, Spencer Savage, Prep, and Knight Jimmy Martin.

It’s OK to be defensive

To borrow from golf, offense is for show and defense for dough. Skilled positions at most schools are in good shape. Bolstering their lines is top priority of most coaches. Prep’s entire front returns, anchored by Savage, and that’s not a bad place to start. Linebackers are the strength of the league, including All-GSL returnees Caleb Gillespie (EV), Tyler Cochran (CV), Colin Sears and Alex Shaw (both LC). Defensive backs Proen and Mackenzie Murphy (a Ferris two-way guy) were among last year’s secondary standouts.

Through the looking glass

So what does the season hold? A combination of youth and absence of those Division I and senior stars who permeated the GSL last year means scant separation among at least eight teams. “I try to find a dominant player in the league and can’t,” said Gonzaga coach Dave Carson. And the fact that the GSL begins Thursday and Friday with five league counters right out of the chute – including LC at CV and Mt. Spokane at the Bullpups – puts further burden on teams. The early start, said Tigers coach Tom Yearout, “is different for us. If we can get off to a decent start we’ll be around at the end.” Every coach in the league is probably echoing those comments.