Whitworth needs to get defensive

The defending Northwest Conference football champions will rely on defense.

Whitworth University is expected to start nine seniors on defense, five of whom earned first-team All-NWC recognition during last year’s record-setting 11-1 season, when the Pirates welcome Redlands to the Pine Bowl in the season opener Saturday.

Whitworth led the NWC in scoring defense (13.4 points per game), turnovers forced (38) and total defense (269.2 yards per game). This year’s crew is deeper, a year older, a bit faster and should give head coach John Tully some game-plan flexibility, especially early in the season, as the Pirates break in a new starting quarterback.

“We think our defense has a chance to be outstanding,” said Tully, who is 47-20 the last seven years and 61-53 overall as he enters his 13th season. “We want to play field position. We want the other team to have to march a long way because they’re going to be challenged to do that.

“Offensively, we’re going to secure the football and make good decisions and also play field position because we do have an outstanding defense.”

The Pirates have standouts at every level on defense. Up front, Tully said sophomore Brandon Martin has a chance to be the best nose guard he’s coached in his 13 seasons. Peter Clark, who can play tackle or end, will start for the third straight year. End Justin Rundle was first-team All-NWC last year and end Jermane Easterlin is “athletic and fast,” Tully said.

Middle linebacker Casey Clifton, the 2006 NWC defensive player of the year, is “faster than at any point of his career,” Tully said. Greg Caster, second on the team with 73 stops in 2006, returns and Marc Grow steps in at outside linebacker. He saw time at outside linebacker and safety a year ago.

“We feel very good about our front seven,” Tully said, “and we have solid, capable backups.”

The secondary returns intact, led by safety Jay Tully, a preseason All-American, and cornerback Ryan Marshall. The two combined for 14 interceptions and each returned a pick for a touchdown last season. Bobby Hughes, a transfer from College of the Siskiyous, adds depth at safety.

Junior Kory Kemp emerged from a five-player competition to earn the starting quarterback nod. Junior Jon Luke is the backup with sophomore Ray Valle at No. 3.

“Kory seems to be understanding his reads very well and he’s just played solidly,” Tully said of Kemp, the son of former Seahawks quarterback Jeff Kemp. “He seems to have done just a little more than the others.”

Kemp is a “nice athlete; he makes good decisions and he also runs the ball efficiently,” Tully added. “He’s an athlete playing the quarterback position and I think that’s always a positive.”

Kemp will be surrounded by a veteran cast. Four offensive line starters return, though Kyle Kania has moved from guard to center. Senior running back Chris Ahsing has been bothered by a hamstring injury throughout camp and probably won’t play Saturday. Milton Nelson, who ran for 375 yards last season, is expected to start. Idaho transfer Adam Anderson, Tyler Mattair and Obe Quarless are options at the position.

Tully said he’s fortunate to have four quality tight ends. Starter Drew Griggs had three touchdown catches last season.

Steve Silva, who caught a team-high 58 passes and earned first-team All-NWC honors in 2006, leads a deep receiving unit. Nick Koller had 16 catches last year and Steve Stockton was a part-time starter. Washington State transfer Andy Largent will figure into the mix and he’s also competing with Jordan Marshall for field-goal kicking duties. Jay Tully, the coach’s son, will continue his multiple roles, which included 21 receptions last season as well as being the primary kick returner.

Priest River High product Zack Clow is the frontrunner at punter.

Tully has been impressed with the team’s leadership.

“Our senior group was just phenomenal as far as off-season work ethic, not just during this preseason, but what they did last spring and during the summer,” Tully said. “We have a great group of guys. They’re absolutely enjoyable to coach, they get along well and they just enjoy playing football.”