Whitworth football ready for more success

Whitworth College football coach John Tully repeated the question before answering it.

“Will we spend a lot of time talking about last season? We won’t spend any time talking about last season,” said Tully, who will direct 96 players through the team’s first practice today at 2. “I’m appreciative of those kids and all the kids that were part of that. They had a great, unique experience that will last a lifetime, but now it’s time to make new memories.

“This is a new situation with new opportunities.”

The 2006 team produced the most successful season in school history with a record number of wins (11), the program’s first outright Northwest Conference championship and first post-season playoff victory. Naturally, recognition followed. Quarterback Joel Clark and tight end Michael Allan were NCAA Division III All-Americans and Allan became the first Pirate to be drafted in 35 years.

Tully had lunch recently with a Whitworth alum from the 1975 team that shared the NWC championship. “He said, ‘Man we followed you guys, it was so exciting’ and now they’re following Michael with Kansas City,” a smiling Tully said.

The coach recounted a story relayed by offensive lineman Jon Erlenmeyer.

“He said it was cool to go to the mall and people would see his Whitworth hat or T-shirt and come up to him and say, ‘I was at that game or I listened to this play or I remember that play,’ ” Tully said. “Those are things that are really fun and it enhances the kids’ experiences.”

Tully has enjoyed the extra attention (Whitworth is ranked in three D-III polls) and added interest in the program in the form of e-mails and phone calls from past players, not to mention the boost in recruiting circles.

But he stressed that the team must concentrate on the moment, beginning with every practice leading up to the season opener Sept. 8 against Redlands in the Pine Bowl. Tully’s players are hearing him loud and clear.

“Last year was amazing, but it’s time to move on,” said linebacker Casey Clifton, one of eight senior starters returning on a unit that allowed just 13.4 points per game and forced 40 turnovers. “We have different personnel and it’s time to make another statement and prove to everyone we’re not a one-hit wonder, if that’s what people are thinking.”

Clifton and safety Jay Tully, the coach’s son, were selected pre-season second-team All-Americans. Clifton was the 2006 NWC defensive player of the year after making 102 tackles.

Tully said the defense “has a chance to be the best we’ve had.”

The offense appears to be well stocked at running back, receiver, line and even tight end, where Tully is comfortable with at least three players. The biggest question in practice will be identifying Clark’s successor. Five players will be in the hunt, with Jon Luke, Kory Kemp and Ray Valle possessing the most experience in the Pirates’ system. That gives them an edge, at least initially, Tully said.

“Those guys (Clark and Allan) got it done in amazing fashion, but as an offense I think the 11 guys on the field are going to do their part in filling their shoes,” senior running back Chris Ahsing said.

Whoever wins the quarterback derby should benefit from a talented supporting cast, Tully said. “We want a quarterback that is going to be able to manage the offense and not turn the ball over.”

If that happens and the defense is as good as advertised, the Pirates might be on their way to another memory-packed season.