Quick hits
Change is constant, and Quick Hits is no different.
This year we are going to add more coverage of the news in prep sports land as well as looking ahead at the week’s prep events. When we have a chance, we’ll look back in more depth at something interesting from the week past.
Also, we’ll continue to highlight the Greater Spokane League’s football schedule along with a look at the league’s best game and the best game from outside the GSL.
Pirates unveil a new look
Rogers football decided to open up things on offense and asked a sophomore quarterback to help. The Pirates unveiled the spread offense they call the “gun option” and turned loose rookie Andrew Durant.
He was responsible, either passing or running, for 172 of the Pirates’ 244 yards of total offense and accounted for four of the team’s five touchdowns during a 53-34 loss to visiting Ingraham.
“It was nice to score some points,” said third-year football coach Ted Lyon. “We don’t do much of that.”
The offense employs misdirection, option and quarterback keeper runs, shuffle and conventional passes, all out of the shotgun offense in an effort to tax defenses.
“My offensive coordinator, Matt Miethe, is real excited about it,” said Lyon. “We ‘cliniced’ in Seattle, he did his homework, and this gun option stuff looked good at Whitworth camp. It just keeps getting better, and I’m excited.”
Web browsing grows even more
The GSL has finally developed its own Web site, following the example of other leagues in our area including the Bi-County ( www.bicountyleague.wednet.edu) and Panorama League ( www.panoramaleague.org).
At www.greaterspokaneleague.org you’ll find schedules, links to member schools and the history of the league.
Speaking of Web sites, the newest craze – personal sports sites – has hit Spokane. Check out www.skylarjessen.com, which is, of course, devoted to Mead running back Skylar Jessen, headed to WSU.
The state’s biggest game?
Pasco and Southridge are not only the two top football teams in the Big Nine Conference, according to many prognosticators, but they are also the two top-rated 4A teams in the state, at least according to the Seattle Times.
One of them will have a loss after Friday night.
The Suns, who lost in the state first-round last year to Gonzaga Prep, and their 6-foot-6, highly touted junior quarterback Jason Munns will host the Bulldogs and University of Washington-bound tackle Ryan Tolar (6-6, 330 pounds).
As early-season games go, this one would be hard to top. It also has immense ramifications down the road for GSL teams. With only three berths available this year, the GSL’s second-place team will have to travel to the Big Nine’s second-place school for the Nov. 8 play-in game.
Popular sports
According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, football remained the most popular prep sport last year, with more than 1 million participants. But basketball was played at the most high schools, and was the most popular sport for girls, with almost a half-million players.
For all of the survey’s results you can check out the NFSHSA Web site at www.nfhs.org.