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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Shadle’s Brett Rypien holds top numbers on field, in class

Brett Rypien has some unfinished business in the classroom and on the football field before he heads to Boise in January. (Tyler Tjomsland)

Brett Rypien is a disciple of details.

Look at his success and it goes to figure that discipline follows the Shadle Park senior quarterback into every facet of life.

Take, for example, his clothes closet at home. It’s color coordinated with all of his dressy sweaters clumped together, his sweatshirts in another spot, casual shirts in a section and dress shirts separated from everyday attire.

“I’m a Type-A personality,” Rypien said. “The one thing most bothering to me is when people mess with my laundry.”

Rypien does his own laundry and has for quite a while.

He does other chores around the house, too – although that doesn’t stop his two older sisters from giving him grief.

“They tell me I’m the golden child,” Rypien said. “Of course, they’re teasing. I might be spoiled a little bit.”

Tim and Julie Rypien haven’t fallen victim to the coddling and enabling nature of some parents today.

“My dad’s big message has always been, ‘Being disciplined is taking action regardless of how you feel,’ ” Brett said. “Maybe you don’t feel like you want to get up and go work out. Or maybe you don’t want to do your homework. That’s why I’m at where I’m at right now.

“And with my mom, she’s always emphasized family, school and then sports. That’s how it’s always been.”

When he gave Boise State University an oral commitment last spring, Rypien immediately considered what he could do to accelerate his arrival at BSU.

It meant taking two online summer classes to go with a load this semester so he could graduate early. All of which put something important to him at risk – his stature of being at the top of his class academically.

No worries, as it turns out. First-quarter grades just came out and Rypien had straight A’s, again. His weighted grade-point average of 4.0, which includes college preparatory classes, has him on track to be the school’s valedictorian.

He’ll graduate Jan. 9, about three weeks before first semester ends. He begins classes at BSU three days later.

The fact he’s leaving Shadle early means that once football season is over, the work really begins. He must consolidate all of his homework and be ready for finals after returning from the holidays.

The other thing he’s giving up is playing his senior year of baseball with his buddies. He’s been a starter at catcher since his freshman year.

The sacrifices are worth it in the long run. By enrolling early at BSU, Rypien can go through spring camp. With the Broncos losing fifth-year senior and starter Grant Hedrick after this fall, Rypien has been told the QB position is wide open for next year.

“Brett is a phenomenal quarterback, a great student and comes from a wonderful family,” BSU first-year coach Bryan Harsin said after Rypien signed a financial aid agreement allowing the BSU coach to talk freely about him. “We are excited that we will have him on campus early so that he can acclimate himself to Boise State and participate in spring practices.”

Rypien isn’t done setting records – though he’d take three more wins over any of his statistical accomplishments.

He moved within 238 yards of the state record for career yardage set by former Skyline standout Max Browne, now at USC. Browne piled up 12,953 yards – a mark many thought would stand for a long time until Rypien came along.

Although the National Federation of State High School’s record book hasn’t been updated, Browne reportedly ranks eighth nationally. Rypien (12,715) leapfrogged past former DeSales and University of Idaho QB Brian Lindgren (12,575) last week.

Shadle (8-3) takes on Mt. Spokane (9-2) in a rematch Saturday in the State 3A quarterfinals. Kickoff at Albi Stadium is at 1.

If Rypien throws for what he’s been averaging weekly this season (381), he’ll blow by Browne. Rypien threw for 349 in a 28-21 loss to Mt. Spokane in the final game of the regular season. If he has a monster game – say about 486, nothing in the area code of the 613 he threw for against Mt. Spokane last year – he could vault into sixth past Rhett Laslee (13,201) of Springdale, Arizona.

Browne used to hold the state record for most career completions (882). Rypien is at 977 and could reach 1,000 in the first half Saturday.

“That would be surreal,” Rypien said of breaking Browne’s yardage record. “It would be tough to put into words what it would mean to be the No. 1 passer all time in the state.”

Lost in all those numbers is the fact that Rypien has continued to excel even though Shadle graduated a talented receiver foursome last year, many of whom started for three years.

The one returner with experience, Cam Duty, has teamed with Sam Stratton, Jayden Nguyen and George Pilimai to give Rypien another set of capable receivers this fall.

“You could tell they were hungry in the offseason,” Rypien said. “They realized they had one shot to show what they could do and they’re making the most of their opportunity. They’re doing a great job for guys who hadn’t played varsity ball.”

For a kid who has known nothing but A’s in the classroom, Rypien doesn’t grade himself as high on the field. It’s part of a perfectionist personality.

Although he’s thrown more interceptions this year than last season, when Shadle advanced to the state semifinals, he’d give himself an A. Last year was a B to B-plus and a C as a sophomore.

So while Rypien is on the doorstep to becoming statistically the all-time best quarterback in the state, that’s the furthest thing from his mind.

All he’s thinking about is Mt. Spokane, a team for which he has much respect. The Wildcats were the first team he’s played since his first four starts on varsity as a freshman that had him confused in a game.

Mt. Spokane shut out the Highlanders in the second half three weeks ago.

“It’s a huge credit to their defense and coach (Terry) Cloer,” Rypien said. “I’d check out of something and they’d counter by checking out of their look. They were one step ahead of us. It will be a cat-and-mouse game Saturday.”

So Rypien has a few more chores to do to prepare for Saturday.

“I don’t want this season to end,” he said.