4A Teams Have Great Expectations For Fall Mead Favored For Gsl Title; Others Hoping For Playoff Spot

Coming off a winless season, the Shadle Park Highlanders were picked to finish last in the Greater Spokane League a year ago.

Nine weeks of magic ensued and the Highlanders were GSL champions and marching to the state quarterfinals, where they lost to eventual state champion Richland.

With many of its players lost to graduation, Shadle Park may be hard-pressed to duplicate that run, but a number of other teams are trying.

Mead is favored to win the league. After that, Shadle, Rogers, North Central and Gonzaga Prep have hopes of capturing a playoff spot.

Mt. Spokane may be a year away from contending after making the playoffs in its first two years of playing GSL football.

Rogers kicks off the season this afternoon at Albi with a 4:30 game against East Valley. Mt. Spokane follows against Central Valley.

A key game opens the Albi doubleheader on Friday when rivals Shadle and NC meet at 5:45 p.m. That’s the game that kick-started the Highlanders’ season when they won 31-13.

Prep has a non-league game against Bellarmine at 7 p.m. at CV.

Bullpups hope to utilize experience

Gonzaga Prep never got untracked last year, but the Bullpups did get a lot of experience.

“Last year, due to injuries, a lot of players had to play,” third-year coach Dave Carson said.

He hopes that pays off.

John Stiffter didn’t play the first two games and saw limited time in the next two before taking over at quarterback. He ended up throwing for more than 850 yards.

He has veteran receivers back, led by Andy Bloom and tight end Steve Shogan.

Running back is a question mark.

Luke Orlando, a three-year starter, anchors the line, and Kevin Bohr and Mike Bohrnsen are back.

Ryan Simpson, Shogan and Kyle Malone return at linebacker, and Zack Skaw and Bohrnsen return on the line.

“We have more quality in the total program,” Carson said. “We should be in the hunt for a playoff spot.”

Panthers have high hopes

Mead has some holes to fill, particularly on the offensive line, but there is reason for optimism.

It begins with quarterback Wes Henry. Though untested, the senior has big-time size (6-foot-5, 215 pounds), speed and a rifle arm.

“We’re inexperienced,” coach Bob McCray said. “We graduated 24 seniors and 15 were starters.”

There are plenty of candidates for the offensive line with size. Seniors include Jeff Naslund (225), Matt Abrams (185), Mike Schneider (270) and David Stockdale (245). The juniors are Brian Magney (250), Dane Carlson (265) and Mark Matthey (230).

Henry will get plenty of chances to throw, but the Wing T offense, which Shadle used to eat up amazing chunks of yardage last year, is a running offense.

Henry can run, and Lars Slind and Joey Cwik should be strong fullbacks. However, the other running-back slots are up for grabs. Seniors Sameer Hatem, Jarrod Wolfe, Nick Allgood and Dan Porter are all getting snaps with junior Luke Rabel.

Nick Lunzer and tight ends Josh Flett and Chris Cwik are the only senior pass catchers.

“We need to bring balance to our offense, and they must play well early,” McCray said.

McCray lists most of his players at two positions.

The offensive linemen should join Charles Harris on a strong defensive line. Running back candidates should make the linebacker corps deep.

Juniors Ryan Fletcher and Bobby Anderson join the senior receivers as candidates for the defensive backfield.

Junior Cameron Collings has the potential to be a standout kicker. He’ll also play receiver and defensive back.

Wildcats rebuilding

Mt. Spokane graduated 20 starters, not including all-league kicker and punter Chris Snyder, who is starting at the University of Montana.

Rebuilding?

“We expect to compete in the upper division,” coach Mike McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin isn’t usually wrong. He took Mead to nine straight playoffs, moved to Mt. Spokane, and after a year as an independent school the Wildcats made the GSL playoffs their first two years.

That’s why he points to the Wildcats’ brief but successful tradition.

However, that may not be enough.

Junior lineman Rob Hyrniewicz is the only returning starter. Dustin Lessig, a slotback-defensive back, was a part-time starter. Sprinter Zach Franklin, injured last season, is back, penciled in at fullback.

After that it’s first-year players or junior varsity players moving up to fill all the holes.

Torsten Cummings, an offensive lineman, lettered last year. Three seniors, nose guard Brandon Gallagher, wide receiver Adam Hornstein and quarterback Matt Trainor, did not play last year.

The Wildcats will also count on lineman-linebacker Scott Barkley and defensive lineman Will Scott.

Indians cautiously optimistic

Two years ago North Central ran off four straight wins to end the season. The Indians were optimistic that would carry over and lead to a playoff berth. They were picked to finish second because of minimal losses to graduation.

However, those holes proved difficult to fill, and the Indians struggled last year.

Last year’s losses were more numerous, but NC has some solid returners.

It starts in the backfield with quarterback Steve Hare and fullback Ezra Bocook. Zach Lange adds depth, and Joel Evans is expected to step in.

Jason Wederspahn and Jacob Kochevar return on the offensive line with tight end Adam Farr, joined by Tom Lynch and Sam Greer.

“We should have a potent offense,” coach Wes Hobbs said.

The offensive linemen should anchor the defensive line, Bocook should be a force at linebacker with Farr and Evans.

“We have a great senior class,” Hobbs said. “They’re team oriented. We had our best off-season workouts in five years. … If the defense comes on, we look to finish in the top four.”

Pirates hope depth pans out

Coach Dave Pomante is concerned about depth, as usual, but he has reason for optimism.

Although the players are learning two positions, he plans to open the season with 22 different starters.

“We have a lot of experience and our skill is much better than it has been,” he said. “We feel we will be very balanced on offense and much improved on defense.”

With Nick Scott a three-year starter at quarterback, wide receivers Raleigh Brown, Brady Smith and Mike Perez and tight end Gerald Smith, the Pirates should have a potent offense.

There are question marks at running back behind bruiser Spencer Jackson. Veteran linemen Kyle Steinmetz, Darin DeBolt and Todd Jacobson should help.

Jackson will start at linebacker, where he is the only returning firstteam all-GSL pick in the league. Sean Hawkins, who should be the kicker, and Nick Harlander are also at linebacker.

Defensive linemen include Brian Piper and Bill Hempel.

Jim Parratt, who is one of the running back candidates, returns at free safety. Roman Patterson steps in a strong safety. Brady Smith and Perez are also working at cornerback.

“We feel pretty good about competing with everybody,” Pomante said. “We will be right in the thick of things.”

Highlanders rebuilding

Shadle Park, the defending league champs, will have a lot of new faces.

“Last year was great, but we only have five starters back,” coach Mark Hester said. “We’re young and inexperienced.”

The team’s three returning defensive starters all are seniors - lineman George Bell, linebacker Jeremy McVay and defensive back Nick Leute. McVay and senior Jon Weiser are the team’s two offensive playmakers at running back.

Senior center Brad Hart will be a key leader on the offensive line, Hester said. Hart was moved from fullback to center after the first week of practice last season. Bell is the only other returning starter on the O-line.

Staff writer Janie McCauley contributed to this story.