Tanner Sloan a chip off old block … sort of

Tanner Sloan has a high IQ for life and for football.

Consider that the Central Valley senior quarterback has thrown for 700 fewer yards than he did year more than a year.

It’s not that he’s been a better manager of the game this season. In fact, he dislikes that term.

For Sloan, less has been more for the Bears.

Last year, CV didn’t have a consistent running game. So the offensive burden fell on Sloan’s throwing arm. This year the Bears have had a nice 1-2 combo in the backfield with Gage Connole and Alec Doyle. They’re not spectacular but they’re more than serviceable.

Last year, CV’s defense was like a sieve. This year, defense is the Bears’ strength. They’ve intercepted 25 passes. All but one defensive starter – including linemen – have had an interception.

And the topper is CV has arguably the best punter in the state in Ryan Rehkow. With one kick Rehkow can flip the field position battle.

Sloan is the son of a quarterback. His father, Rick, is CV’s offensive coordinator and the head boys basketball coach. Rick played for Dennis Erickson back in the day at the University of Idaho.

“It’s always challenging coach your son,” the elder Sloan said. “Depending on their disposition it can be an ugly experience. It’s a recipe for disaster. But I’ve been blessed. He’s just a great kid. He’s kind hearted, very coachable and wants to do the right thing.”

He laughed when asked if he’d liked to have coached himself.

“I was probably a little more renegade,” Rick said. “I can be very hard to play for. I’m pretty demanding as a coach.”

Tanner Sloan hasn’t been told all of the stories of when his father was a standout athlete at CV.

“My grandma has told me a few stories,” Tanner said, laughing. “My dad, when he was younger, definitely liked to push boundaries. I’ve figured them out from grandma. He wasn’t malicious but he was definitely more of a troublemaker than me.”

Tanner has enjoyed playing for his dad.

“It’s a unique experience that a lot of kids don’t get to experience,” he said. “This is probably it for me. I’m probably not going to play at the next level. So I’m enjoying it as much as I can. He’s a great friend and at the same time a great mentor.”

Rick Sloan will get one more senior night with his son in basketball. But there will be six other seniors on the team, too, that are like sons to him because they’ve been his son’s friend and spent much time in their home.

Tanner says he can hardly believe that the football season is nearing an end.

“It’s the shortest of the two seasons I play,” he said. “At least I have one more season with him.”

The fact that time is slipping away dawned on Tanner last week.

“It hit me before our game against Chiawana,” he said. “We were in the locker room and one of our coaches brought his kid in before the game.”

It was something Rick used to do with Tanner years ago.

“It sneaks up on you for sure,” he said. “It just feels like it’s going faster.”

CV head football coach Rick Giampietri has watched Tanner grow up before his eyes – from a toddler following dad around to a two-year starter at QB.

“He’s so smart,” Giampietri said. “He calls all of our pressure, blocking schemes – the whole works. He tells everybody what to do before the play starts. The biggest thing is he sets all of our protection first. His leadership is big for us.”

Sloan carries a 3.86 grade-point average. He wants to study engineering in college.

He’ll select a school based on academics first. Then if he can couple football with the experience he may consider it.

Sloan is the best shooter on the basketball team – particularly from 3-point range.

Right now, though, football has Sloan’s full attention.

“We’re still alive so we’ve got to be pretty happy about that,” Sloan said. “The difference between this year and last is we’ve had some seniors step in to be playmakers.”

Front and center, though, is CV’s leader, Sloan.

He doesn’t have Brett Rypien-like career statistics. But they’re impressive nonetheless. He’s thrown for 3,903 yards and will go over 4,000 when the Bears take on Richland on Friday at Lampson Stadium in Kennewick in the first round of the State 4A playoffs.

“I’ve become a better decision maker,” he said. “Early on last season I had most of my interceptions. I’ve taken better care of the ball. Our turnovers are really low. I wouldn’t say I’m a manager of the game. It has a negative connotation.”

So instead of forcing a pass as he did from time to time out of necessity last year, he’s backed off or thrown it away.

“Live to fight another day as my dad would say,” Tanner said.

“Tanner realizes what our strength is,” Rick said. “He’s done a good job of not putting our defense in a bad position. He’s swallowed his ego and done things in a very smart way.”