Great Northern League
In predicted order of finish
Pullman Greyhounds
1997 records: 6-1, 11-2, lost in state championship game
Coach: Bill Christie
Years coaching, record: 8th, 36-23-1
Starters, lettermen returns: 4, 4
Base offense, defense: One-back; 4-4
Top returners: Cole Sheridan, sr., 5-11, 175, RB/S, first-team all-league offense; Josh Bray, sr., 6-1, 176, WR/ DB; Tyler Brown, sr., 6-1, 205, OL/DE, second-team all-league defense; J.D. Morscheck, jr., 6-1, 198, RB/LB.
Top newcomers: Evan Doty, jr., 6-0, 227, OL/DL.
Quick kick: The Greyhounds are 0-2 in state title games, by a total of four points. They lost 37-34 to Elma last fall and 35-34 to Peninsula in ‘78.
Coach’s comments: “We look to improve throughout the season.”
Outlook: Like most everyone in the league, the Greyhounds have some big shoes to fill. Unlike everyone else, they have speed to burn, which will make them hard to catch.
Chewelah Cougars
1997 records: 6-1, 8-2, lost in first round of playoffs
Coach: Roy Albertson
Years coaching, record: 4th, 29-4
Starters, lettermen returns: 6, 27
Base offense, defense: Veer; 4-3
Top returners: Jeremy Miller, sr., 5-11, 190, QB/DB; Josh Parrish, sr., 6-6, 250, TE/DE, all-league both ways, all-state; Joey Davis, sr., 6-4, 215, DE; Jeremy Main, sr., 6-0, 205, OG.
Top newcomers: Keith Garner, 6-3, 195, LB/OG; Brad Hofstetter, sr., 5-10, 165, RB/DB; Forrest Ewens, jr., 5-11, 160, RB/DB; Oaken Ewens, jr., 5-11, 160, RB/DB; Nate Garner, sr., 6-1, 180, QB/LB.
Quick kick: Tri-champions with Pullman and Medical Lake, both go to Chewelah this year, Pullman in Week 2, Medical Lake in Week 8.
Coach’s comments: “Our kids believe they can contend for a league title. We had an outstanding summer program this year.”
Outlook: Although returning starters are few, consistent winning allows kids to play, so experience isn’t as big a factor despite losing 17 lettermen. The fast Cougars may not catch the faster Greyhounds, but everyone else will be chasing them.
Lakeside Eagles
1997 records: 3-4, 4-5
Coach: Brian Dunn
Years coaching, record: 8th, 2nd at Lakeside, 29-35
Starters, lettermen returns: 11, 22
Base offense, defense: Option, 4-6
Top returners: Adam Christen, sr., 5-9, 155, DB/WR, second-team allleague defense; Mike Mortlock, sr., 5-10, 165, RB; Matt Westenfelder, sr., 5-10, 190, LB/FB; Jason Cummings, sr., 5-1, 210, DL/OL; Devin Downey, sr., 6-5, 225, OL/DL; Chad Charboneau, sr., 5-11, 275, OL/DL; Jake Roney, sr., 6-2, 195, OL.
Top newcomers: None listed.
Quick kick: With the season finale against Pullman, the Eagles could be forced to beat the league favorite for a playoff berth.
Coach’s comments: “We could be real strong if we stay healthy. All teams are chasing Pullman, they are so fast.”
Outlook: With veteran offensive and defensive lines, the Eagles should challenge for one of the three playoff spots, but depth is a problem with many players going both ways.
Medical Lake Cardinals
1997 records: 6-1, 10-2, lost in state semifinals
Coach: John Giannandrea
Years coaching, record: 33rd, 19th at ML, 170-42-4
Starters, lettermen returns: 6, 10
Base offense, defense: I; 4-3
Top returners: Josh Early, sr., 5-8, 170, QB/CB; Jaryl Varona, sr., 6-3, 203, C/DE, all-league offense; Kevin Schmidt, jr., 6-3, 200, TE/ILB; Jeremy Bahr, sr., 6-3, 286, OT; Jonny Varona, jr., 6-2, 220, OG/DE; Andy Williams, jr., 6-0, 246, OT/DT.
Top newcomers: Emery Meeks, jr., 6-2, 219, FB/ILB; Alexis Alexander, soph., 5-8, 173, SS; Mike Chappell, sr., 5-8, 169, TB.
Quick kick: As if the league wasn’t tough enough, the Cardinals face Air Irish when B-11 state champion DeSales visits in Week 2.
Coach’s comments: Key games: “All of them,” with only 10 lettermen returning.
Outlook: If the Cardinals hope to grab a playoff spot they can’t stumble, but that isn’t likely considering how many teams that have more experience.
Deer Park Stags
1997 records: 3-4, 3-6
Coach: Doug McGill
Years coaching, record: 2nd, 3-6
Starters, lettermen returns: 6, 15
Base offense, defense: Off-set I; 4-3
Top returners: Brad Martin, sr., 5-10, 195, QB/LB; Jesse Frickey, sr., 6-1, 195, WR/FS, second-team all-league offense; Ryan Coles, sr., 6-2, 285, OG/ DT; Erik Eide, sr., 6-3, 197, OT/DE; Rafe Wortman, sr., 6-0, 190, C/NG; Roger Henry, jr., 5-8, 180, RB/SS; Jeremy Morse, sr., 6-0, 170, WR/CB; Luke Langbehn, soph., 6-0, 160, K.
Top newcomers: Ryan Mayberry, sr., 6-2, 200, TE/DE; Steve Barclay, jr., 5-8, 155, RB/CB; Chris Wellden, jr., 5-11, 165, RB/SS; Eddie Lewis, soph., 6-2, 275, OG/DT; Zack Axel, soph., 5-10, 140, WR/CB.
Quick kick: Martin, Eide and Hoerman are three-year starters.
Coach’s comments: “We have improved in almost all areas. Staying healthy will be a key to our season. Our kids have confidence in what we can do on the football field.”
Outlook: The Stags earned respect last year with three league wins and hope to build on that. They could be in contention for the third playoff berth.
Colville Indians
1997 records: 2-5, 3-6
Coach: Randy Cornwell
Years coaching, record: 2nd, 3-6
Starters, lettermen returns: 13, 19
Base offense, defense: Pro style
Top returners: Ryan Bradeen, jr., 5-10, 160, QB/FS; Jason Andrews, sr., 6-0, 175, RB/SS; Stephen Nelson, sr., 6-3, 230, OL/DL; Ben Lowry, sr., 5-11, 200, OL/DL; Ryan Leach, sr., 5-9, 190, OL/DL; Darrell Schwenke, sr., 5-11, 220, OL/DL; Kahlan Salina, sr., 6-2, 205, OL/DL; Brandon Wear, sr., 6-2, 175, WR.
Top newcomers: C.J. Davis, soph., 5-11, 190, FB/LB; Brandon Washburn, soph., 6-1, 175, RB/LB.
Quick kick: The Indians are looking for their first winning season since 1992.
Coach’s comments: “We’re excited to have a good year. We have good young kids to go with the kids who gained a year of experience last year.”
Outlook: The Indians have enough returning players to be in the chase for the playoffs.
Riverside Rams
1997 records: 2-5, 3-6
Coach: Allen Martin
Years coaching, record: 8th, 34-31
Starters, lettermen returns: 11, 11
Base offense, defense: Iso & pro set; 4-3
Top returners: Dustin Dinning, 6-2, 215, G/DE; Derek Leighton, 6-0, 200, FB, all-league punter; Craig Alexander, 5-10, 185, WLB; Matt Weed, 5-10, 240, C; Seth Schurtz, 5-10, 185, QB/FS; Jay Patton, 5-9, 138, FS; Greg Petropolous, 5-10, 205, DT.
Top newcomers: None listed.
Quick kick: The Rams lost 21 lettermen off last year’s squad.
Coach’s comments: “We’re young. Many sophomores will start or play and our juniors and seniors have limited playing time. The younger grades coming up have some really good athletes. They are going to challenge people in the next few years.”
Outlook: Inexperience is not a good thing in the toughest 2A league in the state. The Rams are building for the future.
Newport Grizzlies
1997 records: 0-7, 0-9
Coach: Jim Murphy
Years coaching, record:13th, 49-68.
Starters, lettermen returns: 7, 20
Base offense, defense: Pro set; 5-3
Top returners: Kyle Keihn, sr., 5-10, 180, RB; Dvonne Kenobee, sr., 5-8, 160, WR; Randy Arte, sr., 5-9, 220, OL; John McSmith, jr., 6-0, 220, OL.
Top newcomers: Nick Evans, jr., 5-10, 175, QB; Chase Melendez, soph., 5-11, 180, RB.
Quick kick: The Grizzlies only lost four starters and 10 lettermen.
Coach’s comments: “Too many underclassmen will have to play, (but) we will be improved over last year.”
Outlook: Another building team with more depth, but the Grizzlies are too inexperienced to contend. NEWS AND NOTES Only three first-teamers and five second-teamers return from last year’s senior-dominated league. The league, with six new athletic directors, returns all eight football coaches. Lakeside opens with Holy Cross of Surrey, British Columbia. Francis Parker of San Diego plays at Newport on Sept. 19. Three teams make the playoffs.