Young Eagles Have Soaring Aspirations

Thu., Sept. 12, 1996

Mike Vlahovich Staff Writer

Lack of numbers is a reason West Valley isn’t expected to be among the Frontier League football contenders this year.

“It’s a Catch-22. We have some pretty good kids up front who are being thrust in with no experience.” said coach Steve Kent. “We have to stay healthy and control the ball,”

Quarterback-linebacker Ty Gregorak isn’t selling the Eagles short.

“We’re a young team that hasn’t seen a lot of snaps, but if we keep our heads on straight and listen to what the coach says, we will be competitive,” Gregorak said.

He will attract a crowd on both sides of the ball, preferably drawing them away from tiny but speedy wishbone offensive backs Eric Enger, Joe Oka and Dave Cooper, all seniors, sophomore Chris Hilsabeck, plus fullback Jason Miller.

WV’s line features two-way guard Ryan Stockton, a 235-pounder who like Gregorak is a fourth-year player.

At center is veteran Luke Rieker. Other letter-winning linemen are Jason Pannell, 245-pound Brian Lawler and 280-pound Bill Schuster. Sophomore Matt Heitala is a 245-pound prospect. Newcomer Aaron Mortensen is at tight end.

Wide receivers are seniors James Herndon and Rick Yeager and sophomore Eric Deno.

Most will also play defense, along with senior Chris Taylor and sophomore Ryan Spivey, both linebackers.

Gregorak said that this team is more focused than last year’s, which went into the next-to-last game with playoff aspirations and then finished the season with two losses.

“We’ve gone 3-6 my freshman year and 4-4-1 the last two,” he said. “It’s time to bring winning back to West Valley.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Eagles schedule Sept. 13: at Lewiston, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20: at Post Falls, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27: Sandpoint at WV, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4: Colville at WV, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11: at Pullman, 7:30 p.m. Oct 18: East Valley at WV, 7:30 p.m. Oct 25: at Clarkston, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1: Riverside at WV, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8: at Cheney, 7:30 p.m.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Eagles schedule Sept. 13: at Lewiston, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20: at Post Falls, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27: Sandpoint at WV, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 4: Colville at WV, 7:30 p.m. Oct. 11: at Pullman, 7:30 p.m. Oct 18: East Valley at WV, 7:30 p.m. Oct 25: at Clarkston, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1: Riverside at WV, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8: at Cheney, 7:30 p.m.

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