Season memorable, future bright for Eastern Washington football

It was quite a run for the Eastern Washington football team.

Unlike the 1997 team that reached the semifinals of the I-AA playoffs with an eight-game winning streak, the 2004 Eagles had to scratch and claw their way into the consciousness of area sports fans.

And they closed out their season with three games that won’t soon be forgotten.

First was the comeback 51-44 overtime win at Montana State that got them into the playoffs as co-Big Sky Conference champions. Then came another rally for a 35-31 road win over top-ranked Southern Illinois to open the playoffs. And finally the tables were turned, with Sam Houston State shocking 7,633 Woodward Field fans and a local television audience by scoring on the last play to pull out a 35-34 win.

“To be able to play 13 games is a great accomplishment for any program,” Eastern head coach Paul Wulff said. “Obviously the sting of the loss will last for a few weeks.”

One inch, one play, one second, one something could have put the Eagles in the semifinals for just the second time in school history. But the positive is it doesn’t appear these 9-4 Eagles will be one-hit wonders. After five straight seasons of 7-4 or 6-5 records, they have taken that elusive next step.

“I told the kids, when they look back, they set the bar pretty high,” Wulff said. “The expectations have increased within the program. They were disappointed after the game because the goal was the national championship. We’ve never had that disappointment before.

“I think they’ll be inspired. I think kids in the program know we belong towards the top. … We have good enough players in our program that our hard work and discipline always give us a chance to win a championship, conference and national.”

Only 12 seniors depart, including eight starters, which means tinkering rather than rebuilding.

“These kids raised that bar because of the work ethic and discipline they developed,” said Wulff, who has a 34-23 record in five years. “That has given them a great foundation to give them a chance to win every Saturday. They understand that now. They’ve turned the corner in the off-season, knowing how to work and now knowing we can beat anybody.”

There are two reasons to be excited for next season because quarterback Erik Meyer, the record-breaking Big Sky offensive MVP who led the nation in passing efficiency, and record-breaking wide receiver Eric Kimble return for their final season. Between them they have 12 single-season or career records already.

“Can they play much better than they did?” Wulff said. “I find that hard to believe. Erik Meyer can get stronger and Eric Kimble can work on his speed a little bit. We know what we’ll get from those guys.”

Despite the fact nine seniors received all-conference mention, each seems to have capable replacements.

Freshman left guard Rocky Hanni (6-5, 280), the Big Sky co-newcomer of the year, replaces probable NFL draft pick Michael Roos at left tackle, and Zach Wasielewski (6-5, 280) moves in at right tackle for Paul Terrell. Keith Grennan (6-4, 280) and Chris Perkins (6-4, 285) provide depth.

Matt Alfred established himself at right guard but the past two starting centers, Kraig Sigler and Randy Meade, can also play guard. Chris Carlsen and Harrison Nikolao also have experience.

Chris Cwik, a first-team, all-conference pick as a junior, is done at tight end, but Wil Haas was a capable backup this year and Tim Calhoun may return from two years of injuries that opened the door for Cwik. Tom McAndrews and Anthony McCarty provide depth.

Also gone are 1,000-yard rusher Darius Washington and his backup Reggie Witherspoon, but sophomore Desmon Cole and freshman Toke Kefu had some big moments and there are a couple of younger players eager to get their chance.

All the wide receivers return with Craig McIntyre, Raul Vijil and Richmond Sanders expected to make big strides as seniors, and a handful of other players waiting in the wings.

The defensive line also loses two big-time contributors, captain Brandon Myers and sack leader Tom Finnerty. Garrett Quinn and redshirt freshman Larry Raynes had solid years with Nikolao, Mike Wolfe (before a knee injury), Anthony Nunley, Johnny Hanson and Drew Oswald providing depth.

The torch at linebacker was passed a month early with sophomore David Eneberg replacing injured senior Doug Vincent, who had just moved into the top 10 in career tackles. Junior Joey Cwik earned all-conference honors and moved past Vincent in career tackles along the way.

Jake Young was a strong backup after he got back from an injury. Muhammad Shamsid-Deen and redshirts Marcus Walker, Shea Emry and Jason Belford are among those who could be key reserves.

Four seniors – Ryan Phillips, David Shoemaker, Nate McFarlane and Josh Artis – leave the secondary, but there is still plenty of experience.

Isaiah Trufant is a three-year starter and Jesse Hendrix a two-year starter at cornerback. DeNique Ford and Ira Jarmon are the most prominent of the potential backups.

All-conference player Brandon Keeler and Nick Denbeigh return at two of the safety positions and Gregor Smith saw a lot of action. Transfer Bryan Jarrett showed a lot of potential during his redshirt year.

Wulff is pleased with the team balance in classes and position and won’t be seeking quick fixes through the junior college ranks.

“We’re not in a desperate mode to find anybody, but if somebody surfaces that we think can make an impact and fit in with the kids we have, we will make that move,” he said.

Sophomore Ryan Donckers was pretty solid as a punter but the kicking game was inconsistent, especially with crucial blocked field goals against Montana and Sam Houston.

“The kicking position is one everybody knows we had some (issues),” Wulff said. “We did do a lot of good things this year, but we did miss some unnecessary extra points. That can’t happen. Then we had a couple of blocked field goals, but in defense to those kids, they were really protection breakdowns more than they were poor kicks. But no question Sheldon (Weddle) and Skyler (Allen) must improve before this spring. Freshman Pat LaValla looks promising. This spring is going to be real important to come away with a bona fide, clear-cut kicker to give us consistency.”

The kickers stand out, by the nature of their position, but there were plenty of other players in position to make a difference in that last game.

“One thing I want to make sure (is) these kids learn, because football is a lot like life,” Wulff said. “Things go against you (that) you can’t control and things go against you (that) you can control.

“You have to shake those things off and move on. We are not going to dwell on the negative for long. We’re going to move forward. We’re not looking back.”

There’s no reason to, with such a bright future.