Southeast B-11 Preview
Hearts went out to Tekoa-Oakesdale last year after starting quarterback Bill Graffis transferred to Lewiston.
These pages boldly predicted that the Nighthawks, sans Graffis, would slosh through a fifth-place finish in the Southeast B-11.
Brilliant deduction, that. T-O vanquished all league foes and made the second round of the state playoffs.
What should it mean, then, that Graffis has transferred back to T-O?
Most important, T-O coach Marv Wigen must decide if Graffis or junior John Wall, who led the team into the playoffs, will run the show.
“We’re going to play the kid who’s stronger there,” Wigen said. “We can’t afford not to. Right now, we’re looking at both.
Consider the Nighthawks the team to beat, with DeSales, Asotin, Garfield-Palouse, Waitsburg and Pomeroy (in that order) in pursuit. The five-game league season begins Oct. 11, highlighted by T-O at Asotin. The T-O/DeSales game is Oct. 25 at Oakesdale.
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MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: SEB-11 CAPSULES
TEKOA-OAKESDALE NIGHTHAWKS 1995 record: 9-2, first place, lost to Davenport 33-12 in state quarterfinals Coach: Marv Wigen Years coaching and record: 17th, 13th at T-O, 102-58 Top returners: Bill Graffis, 6-1, 190, sr., QB/DB; John Wall, 6-3, 185, jr., QB/DE; Trevor Fox, 6-0, 160, sr., WR/ DB; Donovan Chase, 6-0, 210, sr., OL/ DL; Rob Marsh, 5-10, 170, sr., TE/LB. Quick kicks: Graffis, who threw for 845 yards and 8 TDs in 1994, transferred back during the basketball season. Coach’s comment: “(We) will be competitive … but we need to rebuild the offensive and defensive lines, and replace Nate Perrins (the leading rusher and scorer) and Tim Freeburg at wide receiver.” Outlook: Look for the Nighthawks in the playoffs, although Wigen’s eyes are on DeSales, which played many capable sophomores last year. Junior Buddy Anderson has the inside nod at tailback.
GARFIELD-PALOUSE VIKINGS 1995 record: 4-5, second place, lost to Oroville 43-20 in first round of state playoffs. Coach: Larry Stephenson Years coaching and record: First at Gar-Pal; 20-9 elsewhere Top returners: Korry Sheffler, 6-2, 175, sr., TE-DE; Marc Gearhart, 6-4, 185, sr., R/S; Jeremy Fox, 6-0, 165, sr., R/DB/K; Travis Million, 6-1, 180, sr., DE. Quick kicks: All four returners helped Gar-Pal to sixth place at the State B basketball tournament. Coach’s comment: “This will be the third head coach in three years. It’s hard to compete against (the nine-time state trophy-winning) basketball (team).” Outlook: Don’t count out the Vikings. We did last year, and they made the playoffs.
TEKOA-OAKESDALE NIGHTHAWKS 1995 record: 9-2, first place, lost to Davenport 33-12 in state quarterfinals Coach: Marv Wigen Years coaching and record: 17th, 13th at T-O, 102-58 Top returners: Bill Graffis, 6-1, 190, sr., QB/DB; John Wall, 6-3, 185, jr., QB/DE; Trevor Fox, 6-0, 160, sr., WR/ DB; Donovan Chase, 6-0, 210, sr., OL/ DL; Rob Marsh, 5-10, 170, sr., TE/LB. Quick kicks: Graffis, who threw for 845 yards and 8 TDs in 1994, transferred back during the basketball season. Coach’s comment: “(We) will be competitive … but we need to rebuild the offensive and defensive lines, and replace Nate Perrins (the leading rusher and scorer) and Tim Freeburg at wide receiver.” Outlook: Look for the Nighthawks in the playoffs, although Wigen’s eyes are on DeSales, which played many capable sophomores last year. Junior Buddy Anderson has the inside nod at tailback.
GARFIELD-PALOUSE VIKINGS 1995 record: 4-5, second place, lost to Oroville 43-20 in first round of state playoffs. Coach: Larry Stephenson Years coaching and record: First at Gar-Pal; 20-9 elsewhere Top returners: Korry Sheffler, 6-2, 175, sr., TE-DE; Marc Gearhart, 6-4, 185, sr., R/S; Jeremy Fox, 6-0, 165, sr., R/DB/K; Travis Million, 6-1, 180, sr., DE. Quick kicks: All four returners helped Gar-Pal to sixth place at the State B basketball tournament. Coach’s comment: “This will be the third head coach in three years. It’s hard to compete against (the nine-time state trophy-winning) basketball (team).” Outlook: Don’t count out the Vikings. We did last year, and they made the playoffs.