Whitworth will have competition at quarterback

When you tied for the lead in NCAA Division III passing yards per game, replacing the quarterback becomes a challenge.

Ian Kolste got his sophomore season restored after he hurt his shoulder in a win last year at Whittier. Prior to that game, he had been named the starter ahead of graduated senior Bryan Peterson, who then went on to set several school passing records and led the nation with 34 completions per game.

Kolste (6-foot-1, 188 pounds), of Oak Harbor, Washington, missed the rest of the year and spring practices rehabilitating his shoulder after surgery. Last January, the Pirates got a boost from Jonah Koski, originally of Bend, Oregon, who transferred to the Pirates from St. Thomas (Minnesota), offensive coordinator Alan Stanfield said.

Koski, 6-4, 210-pound junior, “had a good spring because he got all the reps,” Stanfield said. “It’s exciting to bring him in and to push Ian. It will be one of those two guys for sure.”

Behind those two are freshmen recruits Matt Keenan, who got stuck behind Boise State recruit Brett Rypien at Shadle Park, and Matthew Pulliam, who also had to wait his turn at Mt. Spokane.

“They will get a year to develop and learn the system,” Stanfield said of Keenan and Pulliam. “We’ll see after a year, but both (Keenan and Pulliam) have a big upside and a lot of potential.”

Missing targets

Whitworth lost both leading receivers, physically imposing Connor Williams (87 receptions) and fleet Drew Clausen (97), to graduation. The team also lost promising receiver Brett Moser, who was fourth on the team with 38 receptions. He will sit out this year as he receives treatment for cancer.

However, the team returns sophomore Nick Kiourkas (Shadle Park), who was third on the team with 43 receptions for 512 yards and four touchdowns. The team also returns senior Anthony Fullman, and sophomore Garrett McKay, who earned time as a starter last year before an injury shut him down.

Stanfield also said the team should get a boost from sophomore transfer Grant Faylor, who came from Menlo College in California. For now, coaches have moved former Gonzaga Prep quarterback Kevin Thomas to receiver.

“Kevin is a great athlete. He’s 6-4 and can run,” Stanfield said. “When you lose Connor Williams, who is going to be that (tall receiver) outside? We are excited that (Thomas) could be that answer.”

Duke of dash

Whitworth returns leading rusher Duke DeGaetano, (137 rushes for 652 yards) who rolled an ankle in one of the team’s first practices. Coaches expect he will return before the Sept. 12 home opener against Whittier.

With the pass-first offense, the running backs also become weapons in the aerial attack. In addition to his runs, DeGaetano caught 35 passes for 246 yards last season.

The team also returns junior Griffin Hare (Gonzaga Prep), who only played in four games after suffering an ankle injury.

Sophomores Casey Bond and Matt Langbehn, and junior Kyle Brownell, should get looks, as well.

Returning defense

The Pirates return eight starters to what was a young defense in 2014.

Leading the group is senior defensive end Danny Welstad (6-4, 240), who had eight sacks last year.

The team also returns JT Phelan (East Valley), who played linebacker for the first time and led the team with 64 tackles as a freshman last year. The team also welcomes back junior linebacker Dalin McDonnell, who had 44 tackles last year, and fellow starters Luke Peterson and Alex Myrick.

Defensive coordinator Adam Richbart also returns defensive ends Daniel Portillo (41 tackles) and Aaron Powe.

The defensive secondary also returns several players from injury and successful freshman campaigns.

The team had lost both cornerbacks De’ Hall and Jerrell Norman to injury. They return along with Taylor Roelofs (41 tackles, two interceptions). But fellow replacement starter Jacob Sturtevant (54 tackles, two interceptions) decided to focus on track.

Kelvin Mackey returns at one strong safety, while Clayton Farr, Jake Geldbach, Caleb Mathena, Ben Stockdale and Matt Wetzel should compete for the open free safety position.