Wildcats, Highlanders square off

Week 5 in Greater Spokane League football will be similar to the first four weeks.

That means there’s at least one potentially entertaining game. As it turns out there are two that jump off the schedule.

League-leading Mt. Spokane (4-0) takes on Shadle Park (3-1) in the second game of a doubleheader Thursday at Joe Albi Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:15.

The game takes on particular significance after both teams pulled off big wins last Friday. Mt. Spokane shut out Mead 10-0 and Shadle Park shocked Gonzaga Prep 42-13.

The Mt. Spokane/Shadle game could essentially decide the top 3A postseason berth.

Mt. Spokane has proven to be particularly stout against the run. Now the Wildcats will get to see how their pass defense stacks up against Brett Rypien and his talented receivers.

“I told our guys this can be a great moment,” Shadle coach Alan Stanfield said following the win against G-Prep. “It should just be the tip of the iceberg. We want more. Being 3-1 is nice and beating Prep is nice, but there’s still work to do.”

Mt. Spokane coach Mike McLaughlin was asked what he thought of Shadle’s win over the Bullpups.

“They looked very good,” McLaughlin said.

Stanfield said the obvious challenge for his team comes down to two players.

“They’ve got arguably one of the most dynamic players in the league in (quarterback Stu) Stiles,” Stanfield said. “We’ve got to take (running back Roy) Hyatt and Stiles away and make the other guys beat us.”

Stanfield hopes his team’s offensive tempo can keep Mt. Spokane off-balance. The Highlanders start 22 different kids while the Wildcats start seven both ways.

“We hope our tempo neutralizes their size advantage,” Stanfield said.

• In the opener Thursday at Albi, CV (2-2) takes on LC (1-3). It’s a must-win for both teams if they hope to stay in the hunt for a postseason berth. Kickoff is at 4:15.

• The big game Friday has Mead (3-1) going to G-Prep (3-1). Kickoff is at 7.

• In the doubleheader Friday at Albi, Rogers (0-4) meets University (0-4) at 5 followed by Ferris (3-1) taking on North Central (1-3) at 7:30.

• In Great Northern League play Friday, Colville (3-1, 1-0) visits East Valley (2-2, 1-0), Deer Park (1-3, 0-0) goes to Pullman (3-1, 1-0) and Clarkston (1-3, 0-1) is at West Valley (1-3, 0-1).

• In a 5A Inland Empire League opener Friday, Lewiston (2-2) travels to Coeur d’Alene (2-3).

Cross country

The best Greater Spokane League dual today has the Central Valley girls playing host to Gonzaga Prep and Mt. Spokane at 4.

Volleyball

The annual 64-team Crossover Classic – now called the Linda Sheridan Classic – is Friday and Saturday at Rogers, Ferris, Lewis and Clark and Shadle Park.

The championship match, held in the past at Ferris, has been moved to Linda Sheridan Court at Shadle in honor of the late Highlanders coach who passed away earlier this year. The final Saturday begins at 6:30 p.m.

Four teams – West Valley of Yakima (2A), Annie Wright (1A), Colfax (2B) and Tekoa-Oakesdale (1B) – ranked No. 1 in their respective classifications in the first Washington Coaches Association polls are in the field.