Time to reflect on multiple area successes

Potpourri: a mixture or medley. With fall postseason hurtling to its conclusion, today is a time to pause and reflect with some random thoughts.

“As hectic as this time of year is, consider the plight of husband and wife Tom and Julie Yearout. His fall is consumed by football, hers by volleyball as Lewis and Clark head coaches. The price of success means they can’t always be present to support each other’s successes or disappointments on game days. Last Friday, for instance, while the Tigers played a postseason football game in Pasco, the volleyball team was qualifying for state in Spokane.

But he was there on Saturday when LC won regional. The school has become their second home what with daughter Laurie starting in volleyball and son David now a freshman and who played football.

“I don’t know that it could work out better,” Julie said. “We’re gone all fall, but together the rest of the year.”

“Speaking of volleyball, how about that GSL regional sweep (LC, Mead, Shadle Park) and how about Shadle’s Highlanders? They were just 4-6 in league and barely squeaked into district. But they finished the season on a roll to earn the school’s 20th state trip, its first since 2002. Four-time champion Mead is there for the 17th time, LC for the 13th.

“Ferris’ heartbreaking 14-13 loss in the football playoffs last Saturday had to be hard. As young as the Saxons were, these athletes are accustomed to success. But as soon as they put the pads away, their thoughts turn to basketball. Shawn Stockton, Jared Karstetter, Erick Cheadle and Jeff Minnerly, all cogs in Ferris football, were members of last year’s state-qualifying basketball team and first practices begin next week.

“Speaking of football, the Columbia Basin League continued its dominance over the GSL with eight wins in 11 crossover games. But the GSL can’t be glum. It almost earned two of three 4A berths and East Valley led 17-7 after three quarters before faltering in its bid for a third straight 3A state berth. Besides Gonzaga Prep, Mead and Shadle ended with wins and three other games were close. That is an encouraging sign, considering the overall youth of the GSL, and a reason – all returning football players take note – to hit the weight room hard.

“It’s hard to imagine that Spokane area schools could have surpassed last Saturday’s performance in state cross country. The GSL’s three 4A boys qualifiers (Ferris, Mead and Central Valley) were the best three state teams by a bundle. North Central added the 3A boys championship with ease (and there isn’t a senior on the team). Add in state titles by Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls) and St. George’s boys; second places by four other schools; individual champions Cameron Quackenbush of Ferris, Brad Serdar of Reardan and Lisa Vandenburg from Northwest Christian; and a second place by Shadle’s amazing freshman, Andrea Nelson. You get the idea. Of 22 team qualifiers, 16 placed among the top five, and numerous individuals medaled among the top 12. It was impressive.

“Three girls soccer teams, Mead, Cheney and West Valley, are in the state quarterfinals and football state competition gets under way. Savor it.

Fall will soon go the way of the leaves in this week’s Pineapple Express. Believe it or not, the 20-game GSL basketball schedule begins on Nov. 28. That’s less than three weeks away.