G-Prep Bullpups Move Around For Good Of Team
Three Gonzaga Prep football players, from divergent parts of the Spokane area, have one thing in common.
They all willingly accepted position changes in order to better the Bullpup football team.
Mark Doolittle, the Bullpup tight end, began football as a safety on defense, moved to wide receiver, to tight end and back to wide receiver.
This season it’s back to tight end for the South Hill senior.
“The decision was made during the summer,” said the 180-pounder. “I’m probably one of the smallest tight ends in league.” Valley resident Jason Francis began his high school career as a quarterback. Now, the 230-pounder is a returning defensive line veteran.
“My sophomore year after a couple of practices (at quarterback),” said Francis, “I was told, ‘You’re getting promoted to defense.”’ Ian Kelly, a North Side resident, began his career as a tight end but has since been moved to center.
“It was team needs, I think,” said Kelly.
He could block on the outside. Prep needed someone who could handle the position in the interior line.
“I know what’s going on and talk a lot, getting everyone on the same page,” he said.
The trio are among a dozen returning starters who make Gonzaga one of the favorites to win the Greater Spokane League.
Prep’s quest begins Friday, at 5:45 p.m. against Shadle Park at Albi Stadium.
Gonzaga’s skilled positions will have a veteran look, including junior quarterback Kevin O’Connell, a burly 211-pounder, speedy junior Nick Bliss at running back and junior Sean Thacker at wide receiver.
Besides Kelly and Doolittle, Paul Clark and Zack Yarborough return to the offensive line, and Ryan Turner is back at wide receiver. Brandon Kendall is a newcomer at running back, and 247-pounders Darren Ferrell and Jeremy Adams and junior Matt Betts are in the offensive line.
Defensively, Tyson Thielman returns at linebacker, and Shane Hartnett and Jay Herrin are at defensive back.
Newcomers are juniors Damien Ramierez and Jeremy Rash in the secondary, senior Sam Magee, juniors Kevin Cronin and Sean O’Connor at linebacker, and Nick Sullivan and 260-pound Chris Mutton in the line.
“If you look at us, we do not have the biggest size or turnout,” said Doolittle, “but we have a lot of hard workers and are cohesive as a team.”
Doolittle attended All Saints School.
“Prep is a family thing,” he said.
His older brother, Todd, was a member of a league championship and state-placing basketball team in 1990.
“Ever since I was little, I followed Prep football - guys like (Ron) Hawkins and (Rob) Bonneau,” said the bigger of the Doolittle siblings.
He knows that, although catching the ball is fun, his role in the Bullup offense is to block for the option game.
He’s eager for the season to begin.
“I can’t wait,” Doolittle said.
, DataTimes MEMO: Changed in North Side Voice and Valley Voice