Great Northern League

REPLAY: 9-8-2000; C2 Chewelah lineman Jeremy Olson is 6-feet, 7-inches tall and weights 290 pounds. His height was incorrect in Wednesday’s Great Northern League football preview.

In predicted order of finish:

Pullman Greyhounds

1999 records: 6-0, 11-1 (state semifinals)

Coach: Bill Christie

Years coaching, record: 9th (55-27-1)

Starters, lettermen returning: 6, not available

Base offense; base defense: 1 back spread; 4-4

Key players: Trent Bray, 6-2, 210,sr., LB-TE, first-team LB, second-team TE; Brian Zeches, 6-3, 195, sr., QB, second-team QB; Kyle Clark, 5-11, 180, sr., WR-DB, second-team DB; Lucas Svaren, 5-7, 150, sr., RB-S, first-team kick returner, second-team DB-RB; Brady Shelton, 6-0, 185, sr., LB-RB or OL; Brian Christie, 6-2, 180, sr., DE-WR; Jacob Petz, 6-1, 180, sr., WR-DB.

Coach’s comments: “If some of our young players can step up we can be competitive in our league.”

Outlook: The Greyhounds have several holes to fill, but none bigger than on the line, which lost two all-state players. Still, with their speed and experience in key positions, they’re the team to beat.

Medical Lake Cardinals

1999 records: 5-1, 5-4

Coach: John Gianandrea

Years coaching, record: 21st at ML

Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 12

Base offense; base defense: I; 4-3

Key players: Alexis Alexander, 5-9, 213, sr., TB-LB, first-team TB, second team DB; Jeremy Mosley, 6-1, 169, FL-FS; Bill Gaines, 6-0, 180, sr., QB-CB; John Potter, 6-0, 159, sr., SE-CB; Dustin Haynes, 5-10, 181, jr., FB-SS; Rama Mahmood, 5-11, 202, sr., OG-NG; Matt Palmer, 5-10, 238, sr., OT-DT; Robert Weaver, 6-2, 235, jr., OT-DE; David Kulasiewicz, 5-10, 221, sr., C-DT; Duane Haux, 5-10, 271, sr., OT-DT; Louis Winters, 6-2, 166, sr., SE-CB; Davin Perry, 6-1, 184, jr., TE-LB.

Coach’s comments: “Alexis is a super kid. He’s a great kid in every way. He’s a real student-athlete. He gets good grades, he’s a good citizen and he never misses school. He’s a good communicator with the guys.”

Outlook: The Cardinals are always in the hunt and should be again, but they won’t be as dominating as usual.

Chewelah Cougars

1999 records: 2-4, 4-5

Coach: Roy Albertson

Years coaching, record: 6th (37-13-1)

Starters, lettermen returning: 14, 24

Base offense; base defense: Veer; 4-3

Key players: Tim O’Neal, 6-4, 245, sr., OG-DT, second-team OL; Aaric Ross, 5-8, 180, sr., QB-SS; Matt Edwards, 5-9, 185, sr., WR-DB; Colby Dollar, 5-9, 185, sr., RB-LB; Andrew Spencer, 5-10, 245, DT-OG; Nick Allen, 5-7, 160, sr., FS-WR; Jeremy Olson, 5-7, 290, sr., OT; Darren Hendricks, 6-1, 210, sr., OG.

Coach’s comments: “We were a young team last year when many underclassmen played because of injuries (so) we return a lot who started.”

Outlook: After two injury-plagued down years, the Cougars are ready to come back. They are blessed with depth, large linemen and experience - plus they play Pullman and ML at home, which could mean a playoff game berth.

Riverside Rams

1999 records: 1-5, 1-8

Coach: Allen Martin

Years coaching, record: 10th 35-48

Starters, lettermen returning: 15, 26

Base offense; base defense: Pro I; 4-3

Key players: Jason VanHover, 5-10, 220, sr., FB-DT; Brian Crance, 5-10, 165, sr., rB-DB; Jake Moug, 6-0, 155, sr., WR-DB; Kenny Hoener, 6-2, 195, sr., C-LB; Rich Boegli, 5-11, 165, sr., WR-DB; David Westenskow, 6-1, 185, sr., QB-DB; Dustin Busse, 5-10, 205, sr., FB-LB; Mike Norton, 5-10, 185, sr., LB; Cliff Hostutler, 6-2, 225, sr., G-DT; Chris Sage, 5-1, 195, sr., TE-LB; Kevin Bradford-Parrish, 5-10, 155, sr., WR-DB; Matt Kern, 6-0, 180, sr., TE-LB; Dusty Wetzler, 5-10, 2220, sr., G-DT.

Coach’s comments: “We have a great group of kids to work with who have had a lot of playing time for the last 2 years.”

Outlook: The Rams have taken their lumps the last two years and this is the payoff. If the large number of experienced seniors prove they can win, the Rams could be in the thick of the playoff race.

Deer Park Stags

1999 records: 3-3, 5-4

Coach: Doug McGill

Years coaching, record: 4th,

Starters, lettermen returning: 10, NA

Base offense; base defense: Off-set I; 4-4

Key players: Adam Swinyard, 6-1, 205, sr., QB-DB; Lucas Langbehn, 6-0, 180, sr., K-P, first-team KP; Eddie Lewis, 6-1, 265, sr., OL-DL; Jeremy Worden, 6-2, 210, sr., OL-DL; Zach Axel, 5-10, 155, WR-DB, second-team WR; Cody Keogh, 6-0, 210, LB; Jeff Dewater, 5-8, 225, sr., C-DE; Zac Farnam, 5-8, 155, jr., WR-CB; John Howell, 5-8, 180, jr., TE-LB; John Bowman, 6-0, 170, WR-DB; Jared Lofstrom, 5-10, 175, soph., RB-LB; Logan Talon, 6-1, 215, soph., OL-DL.

Coach’s comments: “If we stay healthy, we should be a competive team. We need some young guys to step up and contribute early if we want to win some games.”

Outlook: The Stags have key players back but may not have enough experience. Swinyard moves to QB from RB, making him a multiple threat and Langbehn is one of the premier kickers in the area, but that may not be enough.

Lakeside Eagles

1999 records: 4-2, 5-4

Coach: Brian Dunn

Years coaching, record: 10th, 3rd at Lakeside 38-43

Starters, lettermen returning: 5, 21

Base offense; base defense: Option; 5-2

Key players: Jacob Jessberger, 5-9, 170, sr., LB, second-team LB; Dawson Mortimore, 6-0, 190, sr., LB; Kyle Yancey, 6-3, 325, sr., DL; Pat Baugh, 6-1, 195, sr., OL; Paul Heebink, 6-0, 180, sr., DB; Lance Fairbanks, 6-1, 200, jr., TE.

Coach’s comments: “We could be a good team by mid-season but we need experience.”

Outlook: The Eagles could start a half-dozen sophomores on both sides of the ball, which is not a good thing in this traditionally strong league.

Newport Grizzlies

1999 records: 0-6, 1-6-1

Coach: Art Ellis

Years coaching, record: 1st, 0-0 at Newport

Starters, lettermen returning: 8, 10

Base offense; base defense: Diamond T; 3-4

Key players: Matt Almond, 6-0, 175, sr., QB-FS; Chase Melendez, 6-0, 190, HB-LB, sr.; Jeremy Byrd, 5-10, 160, sr., TB-NT; T.J. Jordan, 6-4, 200, sr., WR; Jordan Patterson, 5-10, 160, sr., TB-CB; Jon Patton, 6-0, 210, sr., OG-LB; John Stark, 6-0,170, sr., C-NT; John Everett, OT-LB, 6-0, 210, jr., OT-LB; Adam Hastings, 6-1, 185, jr., HB-LB; Colli Willenbrock, 6-5, 190, jr., TE-LB.

Coach’s comments: “There is a bond between this small (in numbers) group. What we lack, they could cover for each other.”

Outlook: Ellis has five playoff appearances with past teams. The Grizzlies have only 22 on varsity, so lack of depth could make for a long season.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Inside the Huddle

Two teams make the playoffs.

In the first three years of the 2A classification, Pullman has reached the finals once and semifinals the other time. Medical Lake has also been in the semis.

Art Ellis, former head coach at Central Kitsap and Eisenhower, replaces Jim Murphy at Newport as Murphy concentrates on AD duties.

Just five all-GNL first-team players return, one on offense.