Southeast B-11
Area teams
Garfield-Palouse Vikings
1997 records: 0-6, 1-8
Coach: Marc Maiuri
Years coaching, record: 1, 0-0
Starters, lettermen returns: NA
Base offense, defense: One-back; 4-man front
Top returners: Jason Fox, soph., 6-3, 180, QB; Mitch Kriebel, soph., 6-0, 160, WR; Jon Kriebel, sr., 6-1, 200, OL; Zac Johnson, sr., 6-5, 200, TE; Kellen Smick, soph., 6-0, 170, WR; Frank Kimberling, sr., 5-9, 170, RB.
Top newcomers: None listed.
Quick kick: Maiuri, a ‘95 graduate of Central Washington, was the defensive coordinator at Dayton last year.
Coach’s comments: “We could like to grab a playoff spot this year. Our league is open to anyone who is ready to take the next step.”
Outlook: The Vikings are too young to challenge for the title but a veteran offensive line gives them the edge in the battle for county bragging rights.
Tekoa-Oakesdale Nighthawks
1997 records: 3-3, 5-4
Coach: Ken Lindgren
Years coaching, record: 2, 5-4
Starters, lettermen returns: 5, 9
Base offense, defense: Single back; 4-4
Top returners: Brian Couch, sr., 5-11, 175, OL-LB; Josh Taylor, sr., 5-9, 165, RB; Peter Zorns, sr., 6-3, 175, WR-DB.
Top newcomers: Gabe Smith, jr., 6-0, 165, QB; Anthony Buergel, jr., 6-1, 155, QB.
Quick kick: The Nighthawks won the battles with county rivals Gar-Pal (56-18) and St. John-Endicott (53-16) last year.
Coach’s comments: “We’re ine one of the toughest leagues in the state with defending champion DeSales.”
Outlook: The battle is to hold off St. John-Endicott and Garfield-Palouse for the Whitman County title.
St. John-Endicott Eagles
1997 records: 1-5, 2-6
Coach: Frank Watson
Years coaching, record: 3, 7-10
Starters, lettermen returns: 7, 11
Base offense, defense: Spread I, 4-3
Top returners: Travis Nixon, sr., 5-11, 165, G; Todd Strader, sr., 6-0, 190, RB; Jeremy Thompson, sr., 6-0, 230, sr.
Top newcomers: None listed Quick kick: There are three seniors and 10 freshmen on the 28-man squad.
Coach’s comments: “We are still adjusting to the 11-man league. Our program is improving and we should be in the thick of things. Don’t count us out.”
Outlook: The Eagles are too young to fly to the top.
NEWS AND NOTES Defending state champion DeSales is the heavy favorite. The Irish visit T-O Oct. 16; Gar-Pal goes to DeSales the next week; St. John-Endicott closes at DeSales. Marc Maiuri is the new Garfield-Palouse coach. Kim Cox has handed the reins at DeSales to former record-breaking QB Pat Graham, but will assist. Two teams advance to the playoffs.