G-Prep QB Liam Bell leads East in annual all-star game

Liam Bell went to quarterback camps throughout his high school career.

He always saw himself as a thrower even though he played in a run-based offense at Gonzaga Prep. But the Bullpups’ system limited those opportunities.

“It bothered me at first,” Bell said. “But my whole high school experience was part of an amazing program. That’s something Coach (Dave) McKenna instilled in me. It was bigger than me.”

Bell laughed when asked if the camps helped him polish his handoff ability.

He capped his career with the best possible ending when the Bullpups finished 14-0 last fall and captured the State 4A championship.

“It’s special to have a connection like that with 26 seniors and the underclassmen who were with us,” Bell said.

Bell’s final passing numbers might surprise some. A four-year letterman and two-year starter, Bell ended up throwing for more than 2,000 yards overall with nearly 1,000 rushing. Last fall, his most productive throwing, he finished with 857 yards, completing 38 of 74 attempts with 11 touchdowns.

When Bell completed a pass, it was usually for big yards.

Bell will play in one more high school game Friday when the East takes on the West in the 52nd all-star game at Gonzaga Prep. Kickoff is at 6.

He is joined in the game by G-Prep teammates Conor McKenna (LB) and Tyler Brooking (OL/DL); Leo Haghighi of Lewis and Clark (WR/DB); Samson Brown of Mead (WR/DB); Dalton Dixon of Mt. Spokane (RB /LB); and Chase Gyllenhammer of Mt. Spokane (OL/DL).

McKenna appreciated Bell’s dedication to team first.

“He was all about the team and doing what it took to win and making himself better and the team better,” McKenna said. “It wasn’t about Liam Bell. It was about Gonzaga Prep football and that’s special in this day and age.”

Bell will continue playing quarterback. He’s headed to the University of St. Thomas, an NCAA Division III school in St. Paul, Minnesota.

“He’ll be very successful,” McKenna said. “He works his tail off. What coach doesn’t want a kid who puts the team first. He’s very coachable.”

Bell is headed to a highly successful school that’s coming off a national runner-up finish and 14-1 season.

He’ll be in the mix with six other quarterbacks including two in his recruiting class. St. Thomas listed seven quarterbacks on its 2015 roster, but the starter is graduating and not all will return at the position, Bell said.

“Some of them will be switching to other positions,” Bell said. “Not all are true quarterbacks.”

A senior to be came out of spring ball projected as the starter. Bell hopes to make an immediate impact.

“I’m planning on competing for the No. 2 job,” Bell said.

St. Thomas features a pro-style offense. Bell believes his dual abilities will serve him well.

Bell played baseball most of his life through his junior year. But he didn’t turn out this spring so he could better prepare himself for the transition to college.

“(St. Thomas) sent me a meal plan and a lifting and conditioning schedule,” Bell said. “And I’ve been throwing with the returning wide receivers (at G-Prep).”

An honors student, Bell wants to study economics and minor in legal studies. He ultimately wants to go to law school.

“It’s something that piqued my interest since last summer,” Bell said.

Bell believes meeting the academic load at G-Prep along with his dedication to athletics has prepared him for college.

“What it’s instilled in me is you have to work for everything,” Bell said. “Nothing is given to me. It’s prepared me for something bigger than myself.”