Whitworth’s Allan named Div. III All-American
Whitworth junior tight end Michael Allan was named to the 2005 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Division III All-America Team Tuesday, becoming the first Whitworth football player named to the first team since Sky Blake in 2000.
Allan had already been named first team All-Northwest Conference for the second time and first-team All-West Region by D3football.com.
Allan broke a long-standing school record when he caught 15 touchdown passes this year. The previous record for touchdown receptions was 13, set by Doug Long in 1976. Allan’s total also ties the school record for overall touchdowns in a season with John Murio, who scored 15 touchdowns in 1961. Allan caught 36 passes for 693 yards, leading the NWC in yards per catch (19.2).
The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and selects teams in all four of its divisions. The AFCA teams are the only ones chosen exclusively by college football coaches.
Allan is one of two non-seniors selected to the first-team offense.
Two JC transfers commit to WSU
Washington State secured commitments from two junior college football players over the weekend, adding a pair of offensive players who could provide immediate help.
Running back J.T. Diederichs, of Ballard High School in Seattle and Dixie State College in Utah, signed with the Cougars in 2004 but did not qualify academically.
If he makes grades on time, Diederichs could become an instant favorite to replace Jerome Harrison at running back next season.
“He doesn’t leave many extra inches on any carries, that’s what I like about him,” Dixie State coach Greg Croshaw said of the 6-foot-2, 220-pound bruising back.
The other, wide receiver Finas Rabb of Santa Ana (Calif.) College, is more of a project. But at 6-6, 205 pounds, he appears to have enough natural ability to help WSU. Rabb is a cousin of former Cougars running back Jonathan Smith, but he’s played football for just two years.
“Everyone in the Pac-10 came to look at him,” Santa Ana coach Geoff Jones said. “He’s really raw, but he’s got talents that a lot of other people don’t have.”
The Cougars also received an oral commitment from JC cornerback B.T. Walker last week.
No oral commitments are binding until letters of intent are signed in February.
Shock sign three players
The Spokane Shock football roster continued to take shape with the addition of Rob Keefe, Chris Disanto and George Carter.
Carter, a 6-3, 200-pounder from Linfield College, will play receiver and linebacker. He had a brief stint with Montreal of the CFL.
Disanto, 6-1 and 325 pounds, is expected to play center and nose tackle. He played for two arenafootball2 franchises last season and coached offensive line for Pikeville (Kent.) College.
Keefe also was on Pikeville’s staff as running backs coach. The 5-11, 190-pound Keefe, who will be a defensive back for the Shock, played for Spokane coach Chris Siegfried with af2 South Georgia.
Game suspended by muddy court
The non-conference men’s basketball game between North Idaho College and Community Colleges of Spokane at Post Falls High School was suspended after fans tracked excessive snow and mud onto the court. No makeup date has been set.
CC Spokane led 18-11 with 12:08 remaining in the first half when the game was called.