Great Northern League Football In Predicted Order Of Finish
Pullman Greyhounds
1996 record: 5-1, 7-3, Frontier League champion, lost in first round of playoffs
Coach: Bill Christie
Years coaching, record: 6th, 26-20
Starters, lettermen returning: 9, 9
Base offense, defense: one-back spread; 4-4
Top returners: Aaron Linehan, senior, 5-11, 151, QB/DB; Nate Brown, sr., 5-7, 159, WR/DB; Cole Sheridan, junior, 5-11, 170, RB/LB; Andy Martson, sr., 5-10, 195, C. Newcomers: Ryan Brindamour, sr., 6-1, 202, TE/ ILB; D.J. Hammond, sr., 5-11, 170, OL/DL; Jim Heimbigner, sr., 6-0, 200, OT/DT; Bill Weed, 6-1, 195, OL/ILB.
Quick kicks: So often, Pullman battled for the Frontier League’s lone playoff berth, but in the new league there are three berths, and the defending Frontier champs are favored.
Coach’s comment: “We feel it’s going to be a competitive league, more equitable for us. We’re not always the small guy.
… We feel we can be competitive every year, that alone makes a big difference in terms of our attitude, our expectations and in trying to build our program.”
Outlook: The fact Pullman was competitive in the Frontier League makes the Greyhounds, especially with Linehan, the team to beat in the new league, which has a number of smaller schools.
Chewelah Cougars
1996 record: 7-0, 10-1, NEA champions, lost in state quarterfinals
Coach: Roy Albertson
Years coaching, record: 3rd, 21-2
Starters, lettermen returning: 11, 38
Base offense, defense: veer; 4-4
Top returners: Fred Sunday, 6-1, 208, OG/LB; Christian Parrish, sr., 6-3, 250, OG/DT; Josh Parrish, jr., 6-6, 245, TE; Jason Landram, sr., 5-9, 168, WR/DB; Ryan Walters, 5-10, 165, HB/FS; Ryan Gray, sr., 5-11, 195, QB/OLB; Chris Eggleston, sr., 6-1, 170, WR/DB; Jeremy Miller, jr., 5-10, 185, OLB/QB.
Newcomers: Mitch Pierce, sr., 6-3, 235, C; Carl Jappart, sr., 6-2, 185, G/DE; Sam Dollar, sr., 5-9, 170, RB/OLB; Justin Wilson, 6-4, 220, OT/DT; Andy Olson, sr., 6-5, 245, TE/DT; Hunter Rains, sr., 6-0, 180, RB/DB.
Quick kicks: The Cougars open with three road games, including Pullman the second weekend.
Coach’s comment: “We need to stay healthy because of a lack of 2A-level depth. We need to prove we can play at this level every week.”
Outlook: The Cougars have a lot of rebuilding to do, but their winning tradition helps, as does the fact that lots of junior varsity players got experience in the second half of many games. It also helps that most of the linebackers and defensive backs return. They don’t have room for error and could slide out of the top three for a playoff spot.
Riverside Rams
1996 record: 0-6, 2-7, last in FL
Coach: Allen Martin
Years coaching, record: 6th, 30-25
Starters, lettermen returning: 6, 18
Base offense, defense: Pro-set; 4-3
Top returners: Seth Schurtz, jr., 5-11, 180, SS; Dan Leaf, sr., 6-3, 215, QB; Matt Miller, sr., 6-4, 225, TE; Troy Patrick, sr., 5-9, 185, RB; Paul Gorman, 5-11, 205, FB/LB.
Newcomers: None listed.
Quick kicks: Before moving into Frontier two years ago, the Rams were a NEA playoff representative two straight years, winning state in 1993.
Coach’s comment: “It should be a more competitive league, top to bottom. Our athletes are excited about the new league and opportunities available.”
Outlook: The Rams know they can compete at this level and a senior class of 25 should give them the experience to snare a playoff spot.
Medical Lake Cardinals
1996 record: 4-3, 5-4, third in NEA
Coach: John Giannandrea
Years coaching, record: 32, 18 at ML, 160-140-4
Starters, lettermen returning: 10, 14
Base offense, defense: I; 4-3
Top returners: Chad Headlee, sr., 6-0, 147, QB; Josh Earley, jr., 5-7, 164, FL/FS; Mike Chappell, TB/CB; Aaron Carr, sr., 5-10, 182, TB/SS/P; Brandon Moore, sr., 6-1, 236, FB/DE; Vince Moore, TB/LB; Jaryl Varona, jr., 6-2, 177, C/NG; Scott Huston, jr., 5-10, 150, OT; Nic Alexander, SE/CB.
Newcomers: Jeremy Bahr, jr., 6-3, 272, OT/DT.
Quick kicks: Lineman Jeremy Bahr returns after two years of injuries; brothers Brandon and Vince Moore will be in backfield together occasionally.
Coach’s comment: “We have some real good solid performers. The thing that’s going to hurt us is the depth. Back in ‘91, we had a real good football team, we didn’t have a lot of depth but didn’t have any injuries and went a long way. That’s the name of the game.”
Outlook: If the Cardinals stay healthy, they have the potential to challenge the league favorites, but a couple of injuries could knock them way down.
Lakeside Eagles
1996 record: 6-1, 6-4, second in NEA, lost in first round of playoffs
Coach: Brian Dunn
Years coaching, record: 6, 1 at Lakeside, 25-29
Starters, lettermen returning: 13, 22
Base offense, defense: Option I; 4-6
Top returners: Jason Christen, sr., 5-8, 165, WR/ DB; Jeremy Sparber, sr., 5-11, 155, OLB; Iain Ashley, sr., 6-0, 180, QB; Sean Wheeler, sr., 6-1, 185, FB; Robert Smeltzer, sr., 6-0, 175, LB; Guy Phillips, sr., 6-3, 275, OL/DL.
Newcomers: None listed.
Quick kicks: Dunn coached at Naches Valley and Waterville, taking Naches to the playoffs in 1994.
Coach’s comment: “We have the potential to be a good team.
Adjustment to a new coach will take time.”
Outlook: Lakeside has a lot of experience, especially at the skill positions, and the Eagles are big and strong up front. But jumping in with bigger schools is going to make for a difficult run.
Colville Indians
1996 record: 3-3, 4-5, fourth in Frontier
Coach: Randy Cornwell
Years coaching, record: 1, 0-0
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 7
Base offense, defense: I; 4-3
Top returners: Justin Davis, sr., 5-10, 160, RB/LB; Eric Anderson, sr., 6-3, 175, QB/DB; Rob Shaw, sr., 6-2, 210, OL/DL; Todd Davis, sr., 5-9, 200, DL.
Newcomers: None listed.
Quick kicks: The Indians graduated 21 seniors who filled 18 starting positions.
Coach’s comment: “The future looks very good, but we need time to jell this year.”
Outlook: This is a rebuilding year for the Indians. In this league, that’s definitely a second-division finish.
Deer Park Stags
1996 record: 1-6, 1-8, seventh in NEA
Coach: Doug McGill
Years coaching, record: 1, 0-0
Starters, lettermen returning: 11, 11
Base offense, defense: offset I; 4-3
Top returners: Brad Martin, jr, 5-10, 175, QB; Ken Griffey, sr, 6-1, 160, TB/WR/DB; Nolan Jones, sr, 6-1, 165, WR/DB; Michael Balfour, sr, 5-9, 150, WR/FS; Jarred Berg, sr, 6-0, 180, OL/MLB; Nathan Sebright, sr, 6-3, 195, TE/DE; Erik Eide, jr, 6-3, 195, OL/DE; Allen Schermerhorn, sr., 6-0, 175, OL/ DL; Josh Kelly, sr., 5-8, 160, TB/LB; Scott Larson, sr., 5-9, 185, OL/DL; Brett Hall, sr., 5-10, 155, WR/ LB; Luke Reiter, sr., 5-10, 165, WR/LB; Willie Davis, sr., 5-9, 160, WR.
Newcomers: Jesse Frickey, jr, 6-1, 190, FB/LB; Rafe Wortman, jr, 6-0, 170, C; Colby Parkins, soph., 6-0, 185, OL/DL; Pat Wise, jr., 5-11, 180, OL/DL; Jeremy Lewis, soph., 5-10, 245, OL/DL; Ryan Westerman, jr, 5-10, 155, WR/DB; Luke Langbehn, frosh., 6-0, 160, K; Gabe Holmes, 5-11, 185, RB/OLB/P (transfer from Gonzaga Prep).
Quick kicks: McGill has his first head job after coaching the Rogers junior varsity to a 37-13-1 record the past seven years.
Coach’s comment: “If we stay healthy, we will surprise some people this year.”
Outlook: The league is too strong for the Stags to make dramatic improvement, but they have the right idea. McGill said, “This is a hard-working group that has one thing on its mind and that’s respect. We will not roll over and die.”
Newport Grizzlies
1996 record: 2-5, 2-7, sixth in NEA
Coach: Jim Murphy
Years coaching, record: 12, 49-59
Starters, lettermen returning: 5, 11
Base offense, defense: Pro set; 4-3
Top returners: Eli Marsh, 6-4, 190, QB; Sean Mumford, 6-6, 260, T; Kyle Keihn, 5-10, 160, RB; Duane Kendbrlie, 5-10, 160, WR.
Newcomers: None listed.
Quick kicks: The Grizzlies had 23 lettermen last year and 12 graduated.
Coach’s comment: “(We will be) improved over last year but lack of depth will be a major problem.”
Outlook: This is no league in which to be thin, and the Grizzlies will struggle, with their battle against Deer Park being the key game. , DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYERS TO WATCH Aaron Linehan, senior, QB, 5-11, 151, Pullman. Big numbers as all-leaguer last year. Josh Parrish, junior, TE/LB, 6-6, 245, Chewelah. All-league as sophomore with big-league size. Aaron Carr, senior, SS, 5-10, 182, Medical Lake. All-leaguer calls defensive signals. Cole Sheridan, junior, RB, 5-11, 170, Pullman. Potential displayed during track. Jeremy Sparber, senior, OLB, 5-11, 155, Lakeside. Deserves mention for being all-league DE as 146-pound junior.