Blog matters

A sampling from the past week of entries in The Spokesman-Review blog, Sportslink at spokesman.com/sportslink.

6: Freshman quarterback Jake Luton, a graduate of Marysville Pilchuck High School, was home visiting his family last weekend as the community was reeling from the shooting of five students – four fatally – by freshman Jaylen Fryberg, who also died from a gunshot wound from his own hand as he scuffled with a teacher.

Before today’s (Tuesday) practice former Washington State football coach Mike Price addressed the team.

We weren’t close enough to hear what he was saying, but judging from how animated he became during his speech, we’re guessing it was something inspiring.

Price coached the Cougars from 1989-2002, taking WSU to a pair of Rose Bowls and three 10-win seasons.

“A good guy, I’ve know him for years,” current coach Mike Leach said. “A great guy, actually the first time I ever came out here was to speak at a clinic he put on.”

Once Price finished up and exited with his former quarterback, Jason Gesser, as escort the Cougars took the practice field and linebacker Jeremiah Allison did his best to fill the motivational void.

Maybe Allison had some extra pent up energy or maybe he’s buying into the lion motif today’s athletes seem to be into. Whatever the reason the linebacker was especially vocal on Tuesday, roaring after big plays and turning what seemed like a fairly mundane practice during the drill period into one of WSU’s most energetic practice.

“Jeremiah is the light of the fireworks out here so he needs to continue that,” linebackers coach Ken Wilson said.

Jacob Thorpe

Spokane Chiefs veteran players Adam Helewka and Calder Brooks had already formed two-thirds of a solid line when they welcomed 16-year-old Kailer Yamamoto into their midst on Saturday (Oct. 25). The results spoke for themselves.

Putting the two with Spokane native Yamamoto on Saturday produced every Chiefs score. It’s been quite a week for Yamamoto, whose first career WHL goal on Wednesday was the winner against Everett. He followed that with a goal Friday against Seattle, and was credited with three assists during Saturday’s win.

“He’s a great player, really fun to play with, but this was our first game together,” Helewka said of Yamamoto. “It went well, so I think only better things can come from this.”

Chris Derrick