Highlander Power In Backfield, Defense

Shadle Park football

It didn’t take long for coach Mark Hester to have Shadle Park followers recalling the good old days.

The Highlanders won three league titles in a row from 1979 and 1981 and added a title a decade later.

There were down periods, including four straight losing seasons until last year, Hester’s second.

Shadle Park compiled a 6-2 record and a second-place Greater Spokane League finish.

They play the first game of the 1997 football season tonight at 5 p.m. against University at Albi Stadium.

Success this year depends upon how fast an inexperienced line matures. The backfield and defense will be Highlander strengths.

Returning starter Eric Forbes moved to left guard from tackle to shore up the position.

“He can do everything for us,” said Hester. “He can play either tackle and both guards.”

Forbes will line up next to returning center Mike Doyle, one of the best in the GSL. Nick Bruck is back at a tight end.

New tackles are senior Brian Swanson, a 245-pounder who hasn’t played since his freshman year, Brock Fehler, and junior Dan Falliaux, currently recovering from ingrown toenail surgery.

Juniors Tom Trepiedi, at guard, and Tim Rainer, at tight end in the absence of veteran Kurt Cerenzia, who broke a finger, are also new.

If the line holds up, Shadle Park will move the football behind quarterback Chris Ryan.

“He’s a great athlete, maybe the best on the team,” said Hester. “And running back is as deep as I’ve had.”

Tim Snell returns to the starting backfield, as do last year’s backups Adam Peters and Jeff Livingstone.

Fullbacks are Drew Sullivan, moved from the line, and Mike Caballero, from North Central.

“We’re kind of two-headed at fullback,” said Hester. “They’ll flip-flop every other series.”

That’s because both will also play defense, as do many players, including returning wide receiver Jerry Johnson.

Ryan is at safety, Johnson at cornerback with Peters as a backup. Snell is at outside linebacker, and Bruck and Doyle share a defensive end with Sullivan on the other end. The 225-pound Caballero plays inside linebacker along with returnee Ken Lauritzen, a 205-pounder.

Other defensive backs are Derek Bishop and Anthony Walters, both juniors. Tyler Walters, no relation, will miss the opener with a muscle pull. He is a senior linebacker.

In the line are 240-pound senior starter Ryan Burgos and 230-pound transfer Tom Peterson.

, DataTimes