Shadle Relishes Victory

Thu., Sept. 16, 1999

By Janie McCauley janiem@spokesman.com

Shadle Park linebacker Travis Morris got used to the losses.

Week after week, the same result.

The Highlanders went 0-9 last season and had lost 10 straight before their surprising 31-13 season-opening Greater Spokane League victory over North Central last Friday.

“It hurt,” Morris, a senior, said of all the losses. “You get used to it, but you don’t want to get used to it. You want to get used to this right here.”

Morris blocked a punt in the first half that sparked Shadle. He said the Highlanders played for the entire four quarters against NC, something they rarely did in ‘98.

“This year we’ve got to get off on a good leg,” Morris said. “We got out there and did what we needed to do.”

Coach Mark Hester’s comment on the win was this:

“How does it feel? Unbelievable,” he said. “It feels great for these kids. They played one whale of a football game.”

NC, meanwhile, has work to do, said senior Chris Geurts.

He said the loss was a wake up call for the Indians, who were picked to finish near the top of the GSL.

“They just came out and outplayed us,” he said. “We flat out got beat. We need to fix our defense and work on tackling. We’ve got to wrap up. This is unbelievable. I can’t believe it happened.”

Heat announces award winners

Mead’s Kyle Ellenz earned co-MVP honors for his performance this summer with the Spokane Heat baseball team.

Ellenz hit .410 with team-leading 55 hits in 134 at-bats. He scored 60 runs, tied for the team lead in doubles with 14 and led the Heat in triples (13) and stolen bases (25). He was second in home runs (6).

Northwest Christian’s Eric Bell shared most improved honors.

Chet Womach of Shadle Park was second on the team in hitting with his .447 average. He pounded 63 hits in 141 at-bats, scored 54 runs, had 13 doubles and 10 triples and led the team in home runs with eight and RBIs with 54.

The Heat finished 30-20.

Spokane Americans seek players

Spokane American Youth Hockey Association is registering players from ages 5-18 for the upcoming season.

Walk-in registration for new and returning players will be Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eagles Ice-A-Rena, 6321 N. Addison.

The annual Hockey Swap will be on the same day to buy, sell and trade used hockey gear.

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