Quick hits
Biggest Highlander Invite
The Highlander Invitational Cross Country meet, Saturday at Shadle Park, will have runners from 41 schools represented this year, the largest number in the meet’s history.
Among them, said Shadle girls coach Bob Isitt, will be schools from Montana, including a returning state champion from Ronan; Juanita from Kirkland, Wash.; plus most of the Greater Spokane League schools, teams from the Columbia Basin League and smaller classification schools from the local area.
Central Valley’s boys, who won the junior race last year, return. Mead was last year’s sophomore champion and Ferris the freshman champ. Back is frosh race winner Allan Schroeder from Mt. Spokane.
University, Mead and Walla Walla were top-three varsity girls finishers and Shadle’s Andrea Nelson won the individual title in 14:52 as a freshman, the meet’s sixth-fastest time.
The first of seven races begins at 9:30 a.m.
Slowpitch softball begins
When three Spokane Valley schools joined Greater Spokane League slowpitch softball last year it altered the face of the league.
“The first year we went in not knowing what to expect,” said University coach Jon Schuh. “I think maybe U-Hi and CV brought a little bit of intensity to the league.”
U-Hi compiled a perfect season and won the district championship over Rogers in its debut. CV finished third.
The league begins today with the first of five games in a week to begin the month-long 14-game season.
Last year U-Hi averaged more than 14 runs per game on the way to the title. Its closest game was a 6-5 win over Shadle Park in the district semifinals.
GSL football game of week
Ferris vs. LC (both 2-0): South Hill rivals square off tonight with the same records at the same time last year. The Saxons eked out 17-14 victory in that one, a game in which Shawn Stockton broke his collarbone. He sprained an ankle last week against East Valley.
Like last year, this game figures to be as close.
The Tigers must take away Ferris’ passing game and the Saxons must stop LC’s runners. In two games Ferris quarterback Jeff Minnerly has thrown for 574 yards. LC’s Alex Shaw has averaged more than 100 yards rushing. Tigers quarterback Taylor Eglet passed for 252 yards in their season opener.
Then it will come down to which team adjusts the best.
“I think it will go right down to the end,” said Saxons coach Jim Sharkey. “I fully expect it to be one-score game.”
Friday games: Gonzaga Prep (2-0, 1-0) is at Central Valley (1-1), 7 p.m. – winner emerges as a playoff contender. North Central (1-1) is at East Valley (1-1), 7 – big game for the two 3A foes. Shadle Park (0-2) vs. Rogers (0-2), 5:15, Joe Albi – which team gets its first win? University (2-0, 1-0) vs. Mt. Spokane (0-2), 8, Joe Albi – Titans seek to remain unbeaten. Mead at Coeur d’Alene, 7, non-league.
Area games of the week
Lakeside (2-0) at Colfax (2-0), Friday, 7: Lakeside’s Eagles have been impressive, scoring 71 points and not allowing a TD in their first two wins. Lakeside rushed for more than 300 yards in its opener and allowed 53 yards in the second win. Eric Van Meter scored twice in each game. Colfax won their only meeting a year ago; Lakeside qualified for state.
Lind-Ritzville (2-0) at Asotin (1-1), Friday, 7: A state playoff rematch between the Northeast 2B L-R Broncos and defending State 2B champions out of the Southeast 2B.
Liberty at Valley Christian, Friday, 7: The VC Panthers, playing football for the first time in school history, are making their debut in a non-league game against the Lancers, who won 61-16 in their opener.
Hall of Fame coach dies
Terry Ennis, who was Washington’s second-winningest high school football coach, has died, the Everett Herald reported. He had been battling prostate cancer since 2002.
A 1962 graduate of Everett High, he coached schools in his hometown for 36 years, most recently at Archbishop Murphy, which had begun the season 2-0.
Ennis’ career record was 287-87 and he won a state title at 4A Cascade in Everett in 1991 and added titles with Archbishop Murphy, a 2A school in 2002 and 2003.
Last February, Archbishop Murphy named the school’s football facility, Terry Ennis Stadium. He was elected to the Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame this year.