Bullpups to face test against surprising Ferris team

In case you missed it – Gonzaga Prep has toyed with four football teams so far during the 2006 football season.

The Bullpups find out Friday if they are that much superior to the rest of Greater Spokane League.

They play surprising Ferris, also unbeaten. Going into the season, there was no question the Saxons had big-play potential, but they were something of an unknown entity because of their youth, a new coach and mostly new line.

They face by far their toughest test, 8:30 p.m. at Joe Albi Stadium, against a team that has outscored its opposition by a margin of 153 to 24.

“I think we’re a pretty good football team,” G-Prep coach Dave Carson said prior to Friday’s 38-6 win at University. “People will be hard-pressed to match our front seven. I like where we’re sitting.”

In three league games the defense of the Bullpups, who have been ranked as high as No. 2 in state, have allowed just 32 yards rushing. But the burden will be on Prep’s secondary. Ferris has thrown for more than 300 yards twice this season.

It’s not how you start….

Although you never want to start the season 1-2, Mead coach Sean Carty wasn’t entirely discouraged. In both losses, 21-6 to Lewis and Clark and 42-38 in a non-league game with Coeur d’Alene, the Panthers were in them before faltering late.

The Tigers scored twice and the Vikings got three touchdowns after trailing 28-21. Carty said the second loss was just a matter of running out of gas against a team putting up some high octane offense.

“I was proud of the kids for giving everything they could,” he said. “It’s been a fourth-quarter issue and on the coaching staff to get going.”

Friday at East Valley, the Panthers turned the tables. They scored twice in the fourth quarter and are now in the GSL playoff hunt.

Behind Prep and Ferris (both 3-0 in league), are LC, Mead and U-Hi with a loss each, while Central Valley is 2-2. Three of those will qualify for post-season.

“The league is very balanced,” said Carty. “But we have as good a chance as any.”

Volleyball wild and crazy

Lewis and Clark and Mead might have the GSL upper hand as the league reaches its mid-point next week, but behind them have been interesting doings.

There was North Central’s victory over University after the Titans had beaten Mt. Spokane. After an 0-2 start, Ferris has won twice, including over Shadle Park, to produce a seven-team log jam. Last week alone there were four five-game matches. So far, Gonzaga Prep (3-1) has survived the parity to stand third.

You’re invited

They’re called invitational cross country meets, but West Valley’s boys have treated two of them like an Eagles time trial.

WV swept the top four places for a 44-point victory at the Seaport Invitational in Clarks- ton two weekends ago and in Wenatchee on Saturday had four of the top five places for a 40-point romp during that invitational. The quartet of Richard Keroack, Michael White, Justin Degenhart and Joey Hartmeier have swapped places while finishing eight and 23 seconds apart in the two races.

Ya shoulda been there

Pullman 34, West Valley 13: Greyhounds get leg up in GNL game between contenders. Freeman 27, Colfax 20: Northeast A League Scotties score four straight second-half touchdowns, three in the third quarter, to throw their hats back in the title ring. Reardan 32, Davenport 0: Who’d have thought this game between unbeaten rivals would have been so one-sided?