Mike Vlahovich: GSL proves to have several good teams

For the better part of three quarters last Friday, little separated Ferris from Gonzaga Prep in Greater Spokane League football until the Saxons scored twice in the final minute of the period and won 33-10.

A night earlier, Mead defeated University 20-17 in double overtime, the Panthers’ second OT game this season. They had lost in the first to Lewis and Clark, which had previously rallied to beat Central Valley with 5 seconds left to play.

CV’s Bears needed late heroics on special teams and defense to get past G-Prep, and University has split four games, all of them down to the wire.

The league has been everything as advertised prior to the season, with a game separating four teams. G-Prep and U-Hi (both 3-2, 2-2) took hits with their losses but still can get back into the middle of things.

“This league is good,” said Saxons coach Jim Sharkey. “You have to show up every week.”

We’re midway through the season, the point at which to look back and look ahead to the final four weeks.

One thing that has stood out to me has been the play of quarterbacks. Ferris’ returning All-GSL player Jeff Minnerly is better than last year. He leads the league in passing, while completing 72 percent of his attempts for nine touchdowns, and in total offense, with 840 yards.

But QBs at most schools are having marvelous years. CV junior Blake Bledsoe and Mead senior Glen Reser, who has the job to himself this year, have been particularly valuable.

Newcomer Bledsoe has added a dimension as both passer and running threat that has been missing recently for the Bears. Reser has handled the job with aplomb and thrown for 12 touchdowns.

I’ve seen some exceptional catches this year: U-Hi’s Dalton Puyear and Travis Clark, Rogers’ Jacob Partridge and first-year player Danny Marshall at EV, to name a few.

Workhorse rushers Tyler Carlson at U-Hi and Alex Shaw at LC have stood out, but telling is the 1,176 yards the Bears have compiled on the ground this year.

For the most part defenses have remained stout, said CV coach Rick Giampietri. His Bears have made perhaps the biggest strides thanks to improved speed up front.

Ferris is at the top of the league in fewest yards allowed, followed by Mead and U-Hi. LC’s defensive front has been stifling. Quality linebackers at all the contenders abound.

What has it all meant? Close games and an uncertain final month with six teams still mathematically eligible for three postseason games.

Unbeaten Ferris, LC, CV and Mead have the inside track. LC’s Tigers (4-1) are in the best shape with games remaining against Rogers, East Valley and a bye before its season-ender against Gonzaga.

But games remain for the unbeaten Saxons down the stretch against once-beaten Mead, U-Hi (3-2, 2-2) and CV (4-1, 4-1) that could affect all four teams. G-Prep (3-2, 2-2) still plays Mead and the Tigers. Ties, anyone?

However things shake out, postseason hopes seem bright.

“Obviously, we’re a tougher team than last year,” said Giampietri, “but the league has to be better. We have four, maybe five or six, who can compete with the (Columbia Basin League’s) top group. We’ll just see what happens.”