Greater Spokane League
In predicted order of finish:
Mt. Spokane Wildcats
1998 records: 6-3 in GSL, third; 6-4 overall, lost first round of playoffs
Coach: Mike McLaughlin
Years coaching, record: 17th, 3rd at Mt. Spokane, 111-50-2
Starters, lettermen returning: 15, 25
Base offense; base defense: Spread, 5-2
Key players: Josh Wilson, 5-10, 180, sr., SL-DB, top returning scorer (102 points, second), second returning rusher (No. 7, 747 yards, 113 carries, 6.6 average), and second returning receiver (31 catches for 389 yards); Jake Swanson, 5-11, 185, sr., third-team QB; Chris Snyder, 6-0, 188, sr., K, first-team K-P; Matt Binder, 5-10, 180, sr., SL-DB, second-team DB.
GSL teams missed: Rogers, SP
Coach’s comments: “Our biggest concern now is depth. I don’t think we’ll start a junior. Our juniors and backups need to come along. Right now we have too many guys going both ways.”
Outlook: Wilson, Swanson and Snyder mean the Wildcats are dangerous from anywhere on the field, if the defense keeps up, Mt. Spokane is champion in its third year, second in GSL football.
North Central Indians
1998 records: 5-4 in GSL, fifth
Coach: Wes Hobbs
Years coaching, record: 9th, 4th at NC, NC record 6-20
Starters, lettermen returning: 10, 18
Base offense; base defense: Wing T, split 4
Key players: Jim McCollum, 5-8, 195, sr., second-team OG; Justin Hare, 5-10, 168, second-team DE; Jeremy Kruskie, 5-9, 161, sr., second-team FS; Jeff Peterson, 6-0, 156, sr., second-team DB; Chris Geurts, 6-3, 196, sr., TE, averaged 24.9 yards on his 17 receptions, third in the league and was one of the top kickers; Ben Johnson, 5-10, 173, RB; Steve Hare, 6-1, 172, jr., QB.
GSL teams missed: Rogers, U-Hi
Coach’s comments: “This is our first senior class to complete four years under the current coaching staff. We had our best off-season commitment in four years.”
Outlook: Led by the returning offensive line, the Indians are ready for a break through, though they must successfully replace all-league players at QB, RB and LB. Riding a four-game winning streak, the Indians are ready to grab their first playoff spot since 1977.
Lewis and Clark Tigers
1998 records: 9-0 in GSL, league champion; 9-1 overall, lost in first round of playoffs
Coach: John Hook
Years coaching, record: 24th, 17th at LC, 130-92-3.
Starters, lettermen returning: 4, 15
Base offense; base defense: Pro I, split 4.
Key players: Eric Coleman, 5-11, 162, sr., DB-RB, tied for league-lead in interceptions with six to earn all-league besides rushing for more than 500 yards; injury-prone Jonathan Hook, 6-0, 198, sr., and first-teamer Forest Bohlen, 6-0, 215, sr., might be strongest linebacker duo in league; Billy Etter, 6-4, 180, sr., QB.
GSL teams missed: CV, GP
Coach’s comments: “If our defense can keep us in games until the offense matures, we could be in the hunt.”
Outlook: The Tigers are champions until someone steps on their tail. The defense is always salty. No starters return on offense, but as usual a number of Tigers saw action there and should step in to make them dangerous. QB Etter will be out about six weeks with a knee injury, junior Kevin Edwards steps in.
University Titans
1998 records: 5-4, fourth in GSL; 5-5 overall, lost first round of playoffs
Coach: Mike Ganey
Years coaching, record: 7th, 16-38-1
Starters, lettermen returning: 10, 12
Base offense; base defense: Pro; even
Key players: Adam Vawter, 6-2, 220, sr., first-team OL; Heath Pulver, 5-11, 220, sr., second-team DL; Craig Weaver, 6-2, 215, sr., LB; Brandon Frost, 5-10, 170, sr., QB; Anthony Buchanan, 5-10, 170, sr., WR; Rocky Visintainer, 6-0, 190, jr., DL-K-P; Bruce Hart, 5-9, 170, jr., RB.
GSL teams missed: EV, NC
Coach’s comments: “(Making the playoffs) allowed us to receive the benefits from a season of hard work and gave us momentum for aspiring to higher goals for the next season.”
Outlook: The Titans will be in the hunt but lack of size and depth doesn’t give them much room for error.
Central Valley Bears
1998 records: 7-2, second in GSL; 7-3 overall, lost first round of playoffs
Coach: Rick Giampietri
Years coaching, record: 7th, 45-15-1
Starters, lettermen returning: 8, 16
Base offense; base defense: I; eagle.
Key players: Cameron Summers, 5-9, 156, sr., WR-DB-P; Jessie Gehrett, 5-9, 205, sr., FB-LB; John McFarlane, 5-10, 141, WR-DB; Will Murphy, 6-2, 200, jr., TE-DE; Kellan Thompson, 6-3, 237, sr., C; Andrew Bower, 6-2, 224, jr., TE-DL.
GSL teams missed: LC, SP
Coach’s comments: “They’re very talented young kids. The question is how long it takes them to learn to play physical football.”
Outlook: Better balance on offense won’t make it impossible to replace the most prolific runner in league history but a senior leader must emerge and that class is just too short on numbers to count on a playoff spot.
Gonzaga Prep Bullpups
1998 records: 4-5, fifth in GSL
Coach: Dave Carson
Years coaching, record: 2nd at GP, 4-5
Starters, lettermen returning: 5, 8
Base offense; base defense: West Coast; 50.
Key players: Pat King, 6-2, 205, sr., OG; Justin Prosser, 6-0, 205, sr., OG-C; Luke Orlando, 6-2, 260, jr., OT; Adam Frankovic, 6-3, 210, TE; Jeff Brucick, 5-10, 170, sr., RB; Kelly Custer, 6-0, 175, QB.
GSL teams missed: LC, Mead
Coach’s comments: “(The key is) not beat ourselves. I don’t think people beat us last year, the Pups beat themselves.”
Outlook: Inexperience at QB and the front eight on defense doesn’t give the Bullpups much room for error but the schedule is favorable with LC and Mead.
Mead Panthers
1998 records: 4-5 GSL seventh
Coach: Bob McCray
Years coaching, record: 3rd, 11-8
Starters, lettermen returning: 12, 22
Base offense; base defense: Wing T, 6-2
Key players: Dan Stucky, 6-1, 175, sr., first-team DB; Josh Tindal, 6-3, 280, sr., DL; Sameer Haten, 6-1, 190, jr., LB; Dwayne Tawney, 5-10, 160, sr., WR; Lars Slid, 6-10, 210, jr, LB; Tom Finerty, 6-4, 223, DE-TE.
GSL teams missed: Ferris, LC
Coach’s comments: “The league will be balanced. Everybody has players.”
Outlook: The Panthers have been inconsistent in McCray’s first two years, especially on defense, but with a number of returners, this could be the year.
Ferris Saxons
1998 records: 5-4, fifth in GSL
Coach: Clarence Hough
Years coaching, record: 4th, 12-24
Starters, lettermen returning: 12; 25
Base offense; base defense: I; 5-2
Key players: Aaron Seddler, 6-0, 225, sr., LB-FB, second-team all-league; DeJuan Jones, 6-2, 235, sr., DL-TE; Conor Finerty, 6-2, 175, jr., QB; Steve Knoll, 6-1, 250, sr, OL; Jason Wedel, 6-1, 195, sr., OL; Kevin Solberg, 6-5, 220, jr, OL; Dan Durham, 6-0, 225, sr, OL; Matt Beck, 6-3, 250, OL.
GSL teams missed: EV, Mead
Coach’s comments: “I like the kids. I think we have a chance to be competitive … the emphasis is to be a better team.”
Outlook: A second-year under assistant H.T. Higgins will make the defense better overall. The Saxons need offensive players but the young guys should respond to assistant Don Anderson. If they do, Ferris is in the hunt.
East Valley Knights
1998 records:5-4 in Frontier League
Coach: Jim Clements
Years coaching, record: 17, 7 at EV, 105-67-3
Starters, lettermen returning: 11, 21
Base offense; base defense: Wing T, 44
Key players: Blake Horgan, 6-3, 240, sr, TE-LB, All-FL both ways; Aaron Herath, 5-9, 175, sr., FB-OLB, All-FL RB; Carlos Nunez, 6-4, 205, sr., C-DT, All-FL firstteam DL; Jason Paul, 6-1, 185, sr., WRFS; Jesse Nicholson, 5-10, 175, sr., QBCB.
GSL teams missed: Ferris, U-Hi
Coach’s comments: “I have a lot of respect for the GSL and we may very well struggle to be competitive. But I don’t think it will be because we haven’t seen that type of competition.”
Outlook: If the Knights can find enough linemen to replace a ton of graduates, they could move up but a playoff berth the first year in the GSL is unlikely.
Rogers Pirates
1998 records: 1-8, ninth in GSL
Coach: Dave Pomante
Years coaching, record: 9th, 17-51
Starters, lettermen returning: 12, 25
Base offense; base defense: I; 4-3
Key players: Nick Scott, 6-2, 175, jr., QB; Chris Parratt, 5-10, 185, sr., RB; Spencer Jackson, 5-9, 215, jr., RB-LB.
GSL teams missed: Mt. Spokane, NC
Coach’s comments: “We have too many two-way starters and we are concerned about our depth.”
Outlook: The young Pirates took their lumps last year and should be better but that may not help in a balanced league.
Shadle Park Highlanders
1998 records: 0-9, 10th in GSL
Coach: Mark Hester
Years coaching, record: 17th, 5th at SP, 79-70
Starters, lettermen returning: 15, 21
Base offense; base defense: straight T, 4-4
Key players: Steve Gabriel, 6-1, 180, sr., RB; Jon Weiser, 6-0, 190, jr., RB-LB; Chad Egger, 6-1, 175, sr., QB; Matt Doyle, 6-3, 250, sr., OT; Mike Rice, 6-3, 200, sr., OG; Justin Garrett, 6-4, 290, sr, OT.
GSL teams missed: CV, Mt. Spokane
Coach’s comments: “We should have a better understanding of what it takes to compete and win in the GSL with all of our experience that is returning.”
Outlook: The Highlanders will be improved but with the balance in the league, that may not translate into more wins. A good start is crucial.
INSIDE THE HUDDLE The addition of East Valley means, for the first-time ever, team will not play all league opponents. The GSL went 0-4 in the playoffs last year and is 3-9 in the first round against the Big Nine since four teams began qualifying four seasons ago. East Side teams - Pasco and Central Valley - won the last two state titles and the three years before that Big Nine teams - Richland, Kamiakin, Walla Walla - lost in the championship. Non-league games are, in order, Gonzaga Prep at Bellarmine; Eastmont at Mt. Spokane; Shorecrest at Ferris; Kent-Meridian at North Central; Lewis and Clark at CV; University with an open date; East Valley at West Valley; Rogers at Lewiston; Mead at Lake City; Shadle Park with an open date. NC has a four-game winning streak. By finishing 5-4, the Indians had their first winning season since 1991. Thursday’s University-Mead game at Albi will be the first of 18 radio broadcasts, most games on KKPL 630 AM. Friday’s LC-Ferris game is on KXLY 920 AM after the Mariners’ game.