Almquist Has Selkirk Going For League Title

Don Almquist knew quite a bit about successful football programs, something few at Selkirk were familiar with, when he was hired to guide the Rangers.

Now the coach who learned from John Drager at Mullan, Idaho, and the school with two wins in the previous three years are playing for a league title.

Panorama League favorite Republic (3-0 in league, 4-2) overall, visits Ione on Friday to take on the surprising Rangers (3-0, 3-3) at 7 p.m.

The team is a reflection of its first-year coach, enthusiastic and excitable.

Almquist’s message to his charges, who have won three straight, is simple: “We need to realize where we are and what we’re doing. We need to enjoy the moment.”

Almquist is not a football rookie. He played at Mullan and at the University of Idaho. He was also an assistant at Wallace and St. Maries before leaving education to chase big bucks as an iron worker.

From 1979-90, Almquist traveled from Spokane to high rises in major cities such as Houston, Chicago and Los Angeles. Then he realized crowded hallways really weren’t so dangerous and returned to elementary education.

He was an assistant basketball coach for a year at Sprague-Harrington and three years at Curlew before taking over the head basketball job at Selkirk last year. Football was added this fall.

“When they asked if I wanted to take (football), I was a little hesitant,” he admitted. “But coaching is coaching.”

Almquist is a strict disciplinarian and emphasizes conditioning.

“All it is is hard work,” Almquist said. “They’re willing to work. It’s always fun to coach in that situation.”

He is also quick to credit assistant Mark Coon and volunteer Bobby Swalstead.

Using his basketball connections, Almquist almost doubled the Rangers’ turnout to 36 players, including more than 10 seniors who didn’t play last year.

For example, Ryan Krabbenhoft, the center and a captain, missed last year with an injury, defensive end-offensive guard Chad Heney didn’t play last year and Justin Mendenhall, a two-way lineman, had never played.

“The kids are excited to get out there and win,” Almquist said. “A lot of them didn’t have that experience. We won our homecoming game for the first time in six years. We’ve been playing excellent football this year, especially considering the situation in the past.”

Ironically, Almquist was Panorama basketball coach of the year when Drager, his father figure and the winningest active coach in Idaho, was in his last year.

“He’s one of main reasons I’m coaching today and the kind of coach I am,” Almquist said.

Change the rule

We saw it again last week in the Lewis and Clark-Ferris game. A big rivalry game, a game-winning field goal kicked with 20 seconds left and the Tigers spill out on the field to mob the kicker.

Flag.

A 15-yard penalty on the kickoff keeps the door cracked open.

Stupid rule.

No doubt Ferris would have raised the roof if a flag wasn’t thrown. However, the spirit of sports would have been better served by just ushering the kids off the field and getting on with the final seconds.

Football isn’t golf; emotions play a big part of the game.

Since there is no provision for common sense in the rule book, change the rule.

Scholar call

Area football coaches are urged to nominate players for the Ray Flaherty Scholarship Award, presented by the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

The Inland Empire chapter awarded $16,000 last year to 10 seniors. Besides the Flaherty Award, there are scholarships for the back and lineman of the year. The 10 finalists receive scholarship money at a formal banquet on Martin Luther King Day.

Each school can nominate a back and a lineman. Area schools have been sent applications. Questions can be addressed to Michelle at 924-7768.

Around the state

Elma High School quarterback Ben Dougherty broke a state record shared by Drew Bledsoe when he passed for 509 yards in a 54-26 win over Woodland last Friday.

Dougherty, a senior, completed 26 of 51 passes and threw for six touchdowns. The previous single-game 11-man yardage record was 487, set by Bledsoe while at Walla Walla High in 1989 and tied by DeSales’ Pat Graham in 1991. Bledsoe now plays for the New England Patriots of the NFL.

Bledsoe’s cousin, Tyler Matthews of Ellensburg, a 6-3, 210-pound junior, is about to surpass 1,000 yards passing for the second season… . Capital, the defending 2A (now 3A) champion, beat rival Olympia, No. 6, 27-24… . This week’s big game is Royal, No. 1 and the defending 1A champion, taking on No. 2 Cle Elum… . Wenatchee’s Mike Isaacson returned an interception 38 yards for a TD, caused a fumble and had 14 tackles as the Panthers assured themselves of their first winning season since 1982 with a 31-13 win over Walla Walla… . Moses Lake wishbone quarterback B.J. Garbe scored on runs of 71, 86 and 46 yards and caught two halfback passes for touchdowns, but the Chieftans lost 37-32 to Prosser. The Mustangs have now won 54 straight Mid Valley League games… . Toppenish rolled up 778 yards of offense in a 62-7 win over Goldendale… . Everett beat Lake Stevenson for the first time since the early 1950s.

Statewide information is provided by Newberry’s Prep Football Report. The final eight issues, which focus heavily on the playoffs across the state, can be received for $25. Call 253-581-0884. This week’s issue features the Central Valley offensive line.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Dave Trimmer The Spokesman-Review