No Sure Things Forecast For Valley Teams

GSL football

There’s a new look for Valley football in the Greater Spokane League.

Central Valley is looking like a normal football team after two years of the spotlight being focused on record-breaking running back Tyree Clowe.

University is looking to become a consistent contender after making the playoffs for the first time since 1987.

And East Valley is looking to be competitive as it joins the GSL.

Those teams, filled with a number of questions, get a chance for answers quickly.

University steps into action tonight against Mead at Albi Stadium. The 6:15 p.m. game features two teams bunched in a large, tight pack who expect to be contending for a playoff spot.

CV gets started at home but the visitor is one of the league favorites, Mt. Spokane. The Wildcats could be especially feisty for the 7 p.m. Friday contest since Clowe trampled them for a league-record 355 yards and all the TDs in a 34-7 win.

EV can balance its opening-night jitters with a home game Friday at 7 p.m. against Rogers. It’s crucial the Knights get off to a quick start and the Pirates, 1-8 a year ago, are a good way to start.

Central Valley

Clowe was good and the Bears were great two years ago.

Clowe was great and the Bears were good last year.

With Clowe moving on to the University of Idaho and a large number of his teammates graduating, it’s hard to guess where the Bears might end up this year.

Two years removed from a state championship and in the first year post-Clowe, the most prolific runner in Spokane history, CV has a lot of holes to fill.

The most gaping hole is at running back, where junior Chase Rasmussen and senior Rafael Mitchell step in with sophomore Motie Curtis in the wings.

“You don’t replace a running back like that,” coach Rick Giampietri said. “What you do is go back to your normal, well-rounded attack.”

None of the running backs are near as big as Clowe so whomever steps forward can expect to carry the ball 20 to 25 times a game rather than 40 or more.

“We’ve had some small running backs in the past and they held up,” Giampietri said.

Junior Jeff Liepman, who steps in at quarterback, should get to throw the ball more often that his predecessor. His backup is Tye Scott, but like Curtis, Scott will start on defense.

Overall, CV returns eight starters but Giampietri has built a program in his seven years that has done a great job of bringing up reinforcements.

The key is how quickly the young players adapt to varsity competition.

The Bears have seven games in the Valley with visits to EV and U-Hi.

University

The Titans ended a long playoff drought last fall and return enough starters to entertain thoughts of the post season again.

However, there are also some big shoes to fill.

Jake Roberts and Reggie Lee were not only good players, they were exceptional leaders.

Coach Mike Ganey needs leaders in this senior class to step up.

Roberts also graduated with more receptions that anyone in GSL history. The Titans also lost a 1,000-yard runner in Chris Wilkinson.

Finding a lead running back was complicated when returnee Keesy Timmer broke his leg a week into practice.

In newcomers Bruce Hart, who led Gonzaga Prep with 654 yards as a sophomore before transferring, and Ferris transfer Maurice Purter, U-Hi should have the running game to go with quarterback Brandon Frost. Frost was the league’s leader in completion percentage and had the third most returning yards.

U-Hi’s backfield will be protected by a veteran line. All but two of the team’s front seven returns. Also back is most of the defensive line and linebackers and one starting defensive back.

“We have untested players in certain positions,” Ganey said. “If they can gain valuable practice experience to get ready for the first league game, that is a key for us.

We’re undersized as always. We’ll have to make it up with quickness.”

The Titans have five home games and three at Albi Stadium.

East Valley

There may be questions surrounding the Knights’ debut in the GSL but there are few about the Knights’ top player.

Blake Horgan, a 6-3, 240-pound two-way All-Frontier League standout, leads East Valley into a new era.

The Knights have proven entities at most of its skill positions. Summer competition against GSL teams indicated EV is competitive up front.

Aaron Herath was the leading rusher in the Frontier League.

The question remains, are the Knights ready for what they’ll face in the GSL?

“I’m excited and I think the kids are, too,” veteran coach Jim Clements said. “It’s a step up. It’s a challenge. It will take more effort to be competitive.”

Gonzaga Prep

The Bullpups adapted well to new coach Dave Carson and his new system last year. Now they have to take it a step further if they hope to make the playoffs.

Quarterback Derek Pegg picked up Carson’s West Coast offense quickly, earning first-team All-GSL honors, but he graduated. Freeman transfer Kelly Custer, a 6-foot, 175-pound senior, is taking over the reins.

With leading rusher Bruce Hart transferred to University, Jeff Brucick, who had 316 yards last year, should pick up the slack.

The offensive line should help Custer and Brucick. Tackles Pat King, a 6-2, 205-pound senior, and Luke Orlando, a 6-2, 260-pound junior, Justin Prosser, a 6-0, 205-pound guard, and tight end Adam Frankovic, 6-3, 210, are all back.

“I think we have a better understanding of what we’re doing,” Carson said. “Kelly fits in well. The kids have accepted him.”

There are concerns on defense but it helps to have wrestling star Travis Pasco, 5-11, 185-pounds, back. Safeties Jon Ryan and Matt Cronin are experienced.

“The key is to not beat ourselves,” Carson said. “I don’t think people beat us last year, the ‘Pups beat themselves.”