GSL story lines

At least eight teams – and 10 if you talk to them all – believe they can challenge for a state playoff berth.

Four 4A schools – defending league and state champ

Ferris, Mead, Central Valley and Gonzaga Prep – will challenge for the league title. And two 3A schools, University and Mt. Spokane, figure they’ll have a say in the crowning of a league champ.

Ferris suffered a critical loss this summer when quarterback Ben Goodwin, who steered the Saxons to a 14-0 season last year, suffered an elbow injury and won’t return under center. Coach Jim Sharkey has turned to his son, Drew, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound senior, to fill Goodwin’s shoes. Sharkey was an all-state pick at defensive end last year.

What they’re saying

It will be difficult for a team to run the table undefeated in league this year as Ferris did last fall. “No team will go undefeated,” Sharkey said.

The Saxons were tabbed to win the league by the coaches, but by a slim margin over Mead. Ferris got two first-place votes while the Panthers got five.

“We should be a contender for the last playoff spot,” said Mead coach Sean Carty, who will switch to a Wing T offense this season to feature the Panthers’ speed. “The league is very tough again.”

Bishop Sankey, the all-everything running back from Gonzaga Prep, has graduated, but the Bullpups won’t fall off the radar. G-Prep’s vaunted option will be difficult to defend with a big line and talented quarterback and backs.

Among the 4As, LC is coming off a 4-6 season.

“If our 10 seniors on defense gain experience and work together as a single unit, we can compete with anyone, said LC coach Dave Hughes. “We have an experienced quarterback, good offensive linemen and great offensive skill.”

Rogers, the other 4A team, brings back 14 starters, including four who started as sophomores on O-line.

“This group of players are more athletic and physical than any we’re used to having,” Rogers coach Matt Miethe said. “Our upper-level players are as good as we have had in a long time and the guys around them have risen to a higher level.”

Watch for Shadle Park to challenge U-Hi and Mt. Spokane for one of the two 3A playoff berths.

“We return a ton of experienced players and are in year two of a new offense and defense,” said second-year Shadle coach Alan Stanfield, who brings back 19 starters.

North Central’s numbers are low overall, but Indians coach Brian Gardner is optimistic.

“We have some very athletic players who have the ability to make big plays,” Gardner said.

All-league returners

Ten first-team picks return.

They are: Kole Heidinger, running back, Ferris; Max Kelly, offensive lineman, Gonzaga Prep; Lance Berg, offensive lineman, Lewis and Clark; Jake Hoffman, wide receiver, North Central; Austin Rehkow, kicker, Central Valley; Chase Naccarato, all-purpose, Mt. Spokane; Drew Sharkey, defensive lineman, Ferris; Wes Bailey, defensive back, Mead; Tyler Green, defensive back, Mt. Spokane; and Marc David, punter, Mead.