Mike Vlahovich

Rance McCollough plays for his father, NC coach Jerry McCollough. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review

All four Valley football teams met on Central Valley's field for the second annual Valley Jamboree Friday. More photos on pages 8 and 9. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Cameron Shultz, No. 73, watches field goal practice with other linemen during practice at Joe Albi Stadium. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review

Second-year football coach John Custer has given Freeman's football players a makeover. This year's Scotties starters have made wholesale position switches. While you're at it, call them the "Iron Eleven." The starters will seldom come off the field.

Rogers football seniors include, from left, Shaun McMackin, James Dawe, Bryant Hemphill (kneeling) and Sean Dainty. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review

Volleyball season begins for Riverside High School with a new coach in a new league. First-year coach Tamra Davisson and the Rams move into the Frontier League where she hopes to eventually become competitive. "It's a building year, definitely," she said. "We have good freshmen coming in. It's our strongest class right now."

Shadle Park head coach Mark Hester works with the kicking-team line at practice at Joe Albi stadium. Photo by Shawn Jacobson/The Spokesman-Review

U-Hi football captains this year are Jason Daniel, Jeff Hollenbach, Mike Rosa, Mike Clark and Casey Cornelius. Photo by Sandra Bancroft-Billings/The Spokesman-Review

The West Valley High football team has twin brothers James and Tim Eklund. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Club champions were determined last week for both Liberty Lake and Hangman Valley Ladies 18-Hole Golf Clubs. Diane Hicks defeated Jean Hatcher at Liberty Lake and Billie Etter beat Janet Lang at Hangman Valley during 36 hole playoffs.

Freeman High's volleyball season came to a premature end last year following a second-place Northeast A League volleyball finish. The Scotties were upset during district play and missed out on a chance at state. Coach Kenny Davis hopes that doesn't happen again. "I think we were overconfident and cocky coming off a big win against Colfax," he said. "The girls thought they had (state) handed to them and it was not the case. I take the blame for not preparing them mentally."

Mike Thacker says he prefers the atmosphere of a small school like Freeman to that of Moses Lake. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Frontier League volleyball Returning West Valley volleyball players have had a taste of success and they like it. Under new coach Jim Dorr, East Valley is hoping to find out what success is like. The Eagles of Peggy Wells won league and were a state participant for the first time last year. EV hasn't been to state since 1990. They will be part of a wide-open Frontier League that is relatively short on experience and therefore long on question marks.

The Central Valley volleyball team leaves the gym behind for a run up the 24th Avenue hill. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Greater Spokane League volleyball coaches have a chance to prove what they've said all along. "On a whole, no question, the GSL is the toughest league in state," said Shadle Park coach Linda Sheridan. This year in the Tri-Cities, teams will be involved in a regional playoff with the Big Nine League, similar to basketball. As many as three GSL schools could qualify for state instead of one, as was the case a year ago.

What is wrong with the way high school sports is headed? Enough to temper the excitement of the impending football season - when athletes are fresh and enthusiastic, fans and coaches optimistic and teams unblemished - with a hint of concern.

Dedicated U-Hi players jump the school's fence to get in some preseason practice time before coach-supervised drills begin. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

The son of a pastor, Freeman basketball coach John Nelson was accustomed to frequent moves. Born in Montana, he lived in the Tri-Cities, California and Salem, Ore., his wife Shari's hometown. He taught in central Oregon and Seattle before his stay at Freeman the last seven years. "Maybe that's why it's in my blood to move," said Nelson. "After five or six years we're always ready for something different."

Spokane Valley high school football coaches will preview the upcoming season Friday morning when they speak to members of the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce. "The Battle of the Valley" at the chamber breakfast at 7 a.m. at the Red Lion Inn will feature coaches Rick Giampietri of Central Valley, Jim Clements of East Valley, Mike Ganey of University and Steve Kent of West Valley.

Harry Beckous and Pat Estes are already getting backboards lined up for the Valley Hooops weekend, Sept. 23-24. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Dave Berghammer loves the sport of fastpitch softball. Unfortunately, the game's popularity has shifted toward modified and slowpitch. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Valley coaches Rick and Jeana Haag are leaving with daughter Danielle for jobs on the West Side. Photo by Steve Thompson/The Spokesman-Review

Last week was Liberty Cup competition for members of the Liberty Lake Ladies 18 Hole group. Winner of the August leg was Jean Fulks with a net 69. During concurrent putting competition, Diane Hicks won A flight with 27, three ahead of Alice Shattuck.

Valley insurance agent Tom Rousseau is widely known for his readerboard commentary but he also does a great deal of volunteer work. Photo by Dan Pelle/The Spokesman-Review