Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Steve Christilaw: Box score doesn’t tell whole story of Freeman win

Sometimes the box score doesn’t tell the whole story.

Take Freeman’s 21-0 win at Pullman for example.

First of all, it’s impressive anytime a team goes on the road and shuts out an opponent. The defense of the defending state Class 1A champion Scotties has not lost a single step from a year ago.

You know that old saying about how it’s not the size of the dog in the fight that matters, it the size of the fight in the dog? There’s more to that than a mere cliché.

Pullman is a member of the Class 2A Great Northern League, and according to the figures used by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association to classify schools by enrollment, the Greyhounds checked in with more than 500 students.

Freeman, a member of the Class 1A Northeast A League, has less than half that many.

In this case, the mascots offer a fair representation of the size of these two combatants. The little Scottie dog taking on a Greyhound twice its size. And winning decisively.

What’s more, it’s the second time in two years that the Scotties have whipped Pullman.

The NEA offers a tougher schedule for the defending state champs. Deer Park and Colville both join the league this season, dropping down from the GNL. But winning at Pullman is a good signal that the Scotties are more than ready for it.

And, of course, there’s always league rival Lakeside, which had its own major upset last week, knocking off Rogers, a school three times its size.

But here’s a stunner: the Associated Press Washington state high school football rankings released this week does not have Freeman ranked among the state’s Top 10.

Zillah (2-0) is ranked No. 1 in the poll and received the most first-place votes (7) and had 87 ballot points. Cascade Christian (2-0) received the other two first-place votes and had 76 total. Royal is third followed by Woodland (55), River View (47), Mount Baker (44), Cashmere (33), Montesano (27) and LaCenter and Charles Wright Academy, both received 19.

Freeman falls into the category of “Others receiving votes.” The Scotties received 8.

I don’t wish to demean the panel of nine voters who came up with this particular poll, but would like to know which games they’ve been watching. And what homework have they done? Cashmere and Montesano, perennial powers they may be, both are 1-1 to start the season.

Soccer, volleyball rankings

Speaking of polls, the initial state soccer rankings by the Seattle Times has defending Class 4A champion Central Valley ranked No. 2 behind Kentridge. Ferris comes in ranked at No. 5 and University, which moves back to Class 4A this season, is just outside the Top 10.

West Valley debuts at No. 4 in the Class 2A poll.

The Times’ first volleyball poll last week ranked both Central Valley schools highly. U-Hi checked in at No. 5 and CV at No. 6. Monday it had the teams switch places after the Lady Bears won the big school division of the SunDome Volleyball Festival over the weekend in Yakima – their first title at the 12th annual tourney.

After falling in the first set, CV rallied, knocking off North Kitsap 20-25, 25-17, 15-9. They won their pool, beating both Selah and Sunnyside while splitting two games with Richland. The Bears then beat Ellensburg and rallied from a set down to beat Lynden Christian (20-25, 25-23, 15-7) in the semifinals.

Of course, polls are fun and interesting – and guaranteed to start a conversation. But as coaches love to point out, the only stats that matter are wins and losses. No champion was ever crowned in the third week of September.

Steve Christilaw is a longtime freelance sportswriter and reporter. He can be reached at steve.christilaw@gmail.com.