Not eight DBs, but a one-of-a-kind D-line stopped Rypien

In the big picture, the Shadle Park football team is much improved over last year.

The Highlanders’ defense can make stops. Disregard the final score of Ferris’ 38-14 win Thursday at Joe Albi Stadium. The game was much closer.

The Saxons clearly had the momentum when they jumped to a 14-0 lead.

But Shadle made things interesting, pulling within 14-7.

That momentum was short-lived when Ferris safety Cole Karstetter stepped in front of a Brett Rypien pass and returned it for a touchdown.

Rypien was nearly unstoppable during his record-breaking sophomore season when he broke the Greater Spokane League single-season passing records. But on Thursday, he looked mortal, finishing with 131 yards.

Ferris’ defense – a three-man front and eight in pass coverage – could become a blueprint for other teams to use this season. Shadle coach Alan Stanfield isn’t so sure.

“I don’t know if everybody can put the same three linemen they put up there,” Stanfield said. “They’re second ranked in the state for a reason. I hope we’ll have better answers for it (that style of defense) moving down the road.”

As for his defense, Stanfield was pleased.

“I thought our defense, after the first two series, played really well,” Stanfield said. “It was 24-14 with six minutes to go. To that point the defense kept us in the game.”

Stiles to return

No person in attendance at the Mt. Spokane/Lewis and Clark game Thursday was more relieved with the Wildcats’ victory than Stu Stiles.

Stiles was in the seats finishing out his two-week suspension for an athletic code violation.

He posted this tweet on his Twitter account: “No one in this stadium is happier then (sic) me.”

Junior Matt Pulliam did a credible job replacing Stiles. The truth is, though, he was keeping Stiles’ chair warm.

It says here that Stiles should start Friday when the Wildcats play Central Valley.

Cramping an issue

Coaches tell their players – no, they preach to their players – to hydrate all week before a game.

We’ve seen quite a few players cramping the first two weeks of the season. In defense of those who have hydrated, the overly hot temperatures haven’t helped either.

The poster child for cramping Thursday was Mt. Spokane junior slotback Roy Hyatt. He scored all three of Mt. Spokane’s touchdowns and had a crucial fumble recovery. Twice late in the game he cramped up and had to go to the sideline.

Teammates had to help Hyatt walk up a ramp to the locker room after the game.

The cramping didn’t stop there. Hyatt tweeted that he cramped up at a local restaurant.

Quick kicks

Shadle lost RB Stanley Renz to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. “There wasn’t even any contact,” Stanfield said. “It happened when he was cutting on the turf.” … How about that game in Wilbur between Colton and Wilbur-Creston? It’s worth a second look. In case you missed it, Colton prevailed 64-58 in a game in which there were 160 offensive plays and 1,263 yards of total offense. The game was decided on the last play when Dalton Patchen intercepted a pass at the goal line. … Things may get worse before they get better for Coeur d’Alene, which slipped to 1-2 in a 38-23 loss to Skyline on Friday. Now the Vikings travel to Highland of Pocatello on Saturday. Coeur d’Alene has some inconsistent play issues to address. “If we take care of the ball, we’re a good football team,” CdA coach Shawn Amos said. “If we don’t, we lose to good teams like Skyline.”