B-8 Football
In predicted order of finish
NORTHEAST B-8
Columbia Lions
1997 records: 6-0, 6-3, lost in first round of playoffs
Coach: Chuck Wyborney
Years coaching, record: 8, 25-28
Starters, lettermen returns: 8, 16
Base offense, defense: I; 4-3
Top returners: David Hudspeth, jr., 5-10, 170, C; David Gifford, sr., G, 6-0, 150; Aaron Anderson, sr., 6-1, 170, G, all-league; Marc Strickler, sr., 6-1, 175, TE-LB, all-league both ways; Keith Donahue, jr., 6-3, 185, TE-DL, all-league defense; Brandon Niedhart, sr., 5-10, 165, QB, all-league; Cory Wagner, sr., 5-10, 180, RB-S, all-league both ways; Grant Denison, sr., 5-11, 170, RB; Justin Young, jr., 5-10, 185, RB-LB, all-league defense.
Top newcomers: Kris Brown, soph., 6-10, 175, TE; Noah Wass.
Quick kick: All of Columbia’s wins were against league foes. The Lions open with strong SEB-8 teams Rosalia and LaCrosse-Washtucna.
Coach’s comments: “We are a contender for the state title.”
Outlook: With all starters returning from last year’s title team, the Lions have to be favored to repeat.
Lind Bulldogs
1997 records: 3-3, 4-6
Coach: Todd Kent
Years coaching, record: 3, 4-15
Starters, lettermen returns: 10, 13
Base offense, defense: I & power T; 4-2.
Top returners: Josh Wills, sr., 6-0, 170, TE,; Jose Huitron, jr., 5-17, 140, RB-CB, all-league defense; Jason Sikorski, sr., 6-0, 210, C-DT, all-league defense; Mike Ethirgton, sr., 6-2, 220, OG-DT; Joseph Wright, sr., 6-3, 240, OG-DT; Mitch Fode, soph., 6-0, 170, FB-LB.
Top newcomers: Alec Ritz, jr., 5-11, 170, LB-FB; Joseph Sherwood, soph., 6-3, 200, DT-TE; Cody Bittick, jr., 6-0, 175, LB-OG.
Quick kick: Lind lost to Columbia by 46 points in their first meeting last year and 16 in the second.
Coach’s comments: “Our league will be much stronger this season, none of the teams lost much. We should be competitive.”
Outlook: With more size, the Bulldogs could challenge Columbia but the difference is experience at quarterback.
Inchelium Hornets
1997 records: 3-3, 4-5
Coach: Duane Gatlin
Years coaching, record: 17, NA
Starters, lettermen returns: 7, 12
Base offense, defense: I; 4-2
Top returners: Jacoby Simpson, frosh., 6-2, 150, QB; John Simmons, soph., 6-3, 195, G; John Swan, soph., 5-8, 165, G; Dave Tonasket, soph., 6-10, 155, TE; Chris Signer, sr., 5-10, 155, TB; Casey Johnson, sr., 5-9, 155, WR; John Simpson, jr., 5-9, 160, FB; Michael Jolley, jr., 5-10, 165, QB; Marvin Signor, sr., 5-10, 200, OL.
Top newcomers: Travis Laramie, sr., 6-2, 255, C. Quick kick: Jacoby Simpson started at quarterback last fall as an eighth grader.
Coach’s comments: “Though we set a pretty good base with young kids, we have to get out and execute… . We have to get away from young mistakes. Hopefully we’ll do that better than last year.”
Outlook: Because of the strength of the returning champion, the Hornets probably won’t win the league, but they could grab a playoff berth, which they lost last year in a tiebreaker with Lind.
Wellpinit Redskins
1997 records: 0-8-1
Coach: Jerry Hombel
Years coaching, record: 3, 0-15-1
Starters, lettermen returns: NA
Base offense, defense: I; 4-2
Top returners: Mike McCrea, jr., 5-11, 60, QB; Brandon Stearns, sr., 5-9, 190, FB; Jeff Moyer, jr., 5-9, 180, C; Loren Bair, jr., 5-9, 175, G; Issac Bair, jr., 5-10, 185, E; Steve Abrahamson, jr., 5-10, 200, G.
Top newcomers: Denny Carter, sr., 5-6, 135, TB; Jesse Davis, jr., 5-7, 145, WR.
Quick kick: Hombel returns as coach after co-coaching last year.
Coach’s comments: “We are going to surprise some people.”
Outlook: The Redskins may be a year away with a team dominated by juniors and just a few first-year seniors.
SOUTHEAST B-8
Area teams
LaCrosse-Washtucna Tigercats
1997 records: 8-1
Coach: Jeff Nelson
Years coaching, record: 5, 28-10
Starters, lettermen returns: 7, 10
Base offense, defense: Multiple; 3-3
Top returners: Greg Whitman, sr., 6-2, 190, QB-DE, first-team offense; Derek Henley, sr., 6-2, 165, WR-DB, first-team both ways; Keith Wigen, sr., 6-2, 170, RB-LB, second-team defense; Mark Fehrenbacker, sr., 5-11, 220, RB-NG, first-team o-line; Bill Schafter, sr., 5-11, 190, C-NG; Ben Dunster, sr., 6-6, 195, OL-LB.
Top newcomers: Shane Hammond, jr., 6-3, 180, WR-DB; Matt Jessop, sr., 6-1, 210, OLNG.
Quick kick: The Tigercats aren’t elgible for the playoffs because at the last enrollment count they were classified as a B-11 school.
Coach’s comments: “Lack of playoffs could effect motivation late in season.”
Outlook: L-W is the class of the south. A lot of senior leadership returns. Last year the Tigercats won eight straight before losing.
Rosalia Spartans
1997 records: 9-1, lost in state semifinals
Coach: Jim Hereford
Years coaching, record: 8, 45-21
This sidebar appeared with the story: NEWS AND NOTES Columbia won state 11-man titles in 1987 and ‘88 and lost in ‘89. Lind made the playoffs for the fourth time last year but the Bulldogs are 0-4. Inchelium won B-8 titles in ‘83 and ‘91. Two teams make the playoffs.