Mike Vlahovich

The game figures to emphasize two ground-pounding football offenses when Lewis and Clark and Edmonds-Woodway meet in the State 4A football semifinals. But don't discount the quarterbacks, including Tigers' "point guard" Taylor Eglet. The second-year starting junior has just gotten warmed up this post-season.

Graham-Kapowsin was missing the main ingredient in its offense. It might not have mattered, though, given the way unbeaten Ferris was operating Saturday on its way to the State 4A football semifinals. The Saxons (12-0) dominated on both offense and defense, handing the visiting Eagles (8-4) a 49-14 shellacking at Joe Albi Stadium to reach next week's semis at home against last year's state runner-up Bothell (12-0).

Maybe it's genetics, maybe it's timing and maybe it's that whole community- raising-a-child thing. Maybe it's because Jared Karstetter is good. Whatever the case, there's no denying that he has been blessed in his athletic career at Ferris.

West Valley senior defender Jordyn Sodorff was given a new task. Once fulfilled, she and the Eagles' soccer team were headed to the State 2A final four. WV plays Burlington-Edison at 10 a.m. Friday at Lakewood's Harry Lang Stadium in the school's first soccer state semifinal.

Gonzaga Prep football coach Dave Carson announced his resignation Tuesday after 10 seasons at the helm. During his tenure, the Bullpups compiled a 70-36 record and finished among the Greater Spokane League's top four and qualified for state preliminary play seven times, reaching the State 4A semifinals twice.

Lewis and Clark's special teams play has proved to be an adventure this season – "trials and tribulations" is how coach Tom Yearout put it. But the Tigers seemed to draw inspiration from a second-quarter gaffe in rallying past visiting Woodinville 21-7 in front of 2,385 fans during Saturday's State 4A football playoff game at Albi Stadium.

There's something about Ferris football and its penchant for slow starts. Given that, it's not wise to provide the Saxons with a window of opportunity. Mead did just that with turnovers and special teams breakdowns Friday night. Ferris took advantage and rolled to a 24-7 triumph in front of 3,809 fans at Albi Stadium in the first round of the State 4A football playoffs.

What a weekend it was for North Side high school athletes competing in the state cross country championships at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco. North Central boys, fulfilling early season expectations, proved best in show. The Indians' effort in obliterating the Class 3A field 36-110 over Seattle Prep, might have been just as dominating in any class.

PASCO – Shadle Park sophomore Andrea Nelson won state for the first time Saturday and Mead's boys repelled the state's sternest challenge to Greater Spokane League championship superiority, extending the league's string of successive team titles to 20. The unflappable Nelson dropped the gauntlet from the get-go, and, not content to simply hold on, increased her lead with every stride to scorch the opposition for a 16-second victory in the girls race at Sun Willows Golf Course.

PASCO – North Central cross country coach Jon Knight admits he's a worrier and had a difficult week as the Indians put their finishing touches on preparations in their bid to repeat as boys State 3A champions. His runners did their best to allay his fears.

An early dose of East Valley junior Dakota Lawson Friday night was not enough to halt Southridge's late-season football run of success. The Suns (6-4) rallied from a two-touchdown deficit for the second time in two trips to the Spokane area, beating the Knights at EV 30-14 and advancing to the State 3A playoffs next Saturday.

Sisters Courtney and Delaney Zalud are both accomplished athletes if not two peas in a pod. Courtney prefers the solitude of distance running. Delaney is more into the team sports of soccer and softball. When asked to describe their abilities, articulating them does not come easily for Courtney. Delaney's words come tumbling out.