GSL Preview Football

Returning All-GSL

First team – Levi Taylor, sr., RB, LC; Jake Rodgers, sr., TE, Shadle Park; Colten Williams, sr., Mt. Spokane, All-Purpose; Charlie Griffin, sr., DL, Gonzaga Prep; Bo Tully, sr., DB, Mead. Second-team – Branson Schmidt, jr., OL, CV; Conor Beschel, sr., OL, LC; Kjelby Oiland, sr., OL, Ferris; James Heusner, sr., OL, Gonzaga Prep; Aaron Blaska, sr., WR, U-Hi; Alex Belling, jr., K, Ferris; Jake Trotter, sr., DL, Mead; Jay Sicilia, sr., LB, Mt. Spokane; Jack Wilson, sr., DB, Gonzaga.

Life is a Halliday

Connor Halliday recorded the 11th-best single-season GSL passing yardage total with 1,682 yards with 13 TDs and he had 722 more and 8 TDs in four post-season games. He has plenty of targets to throw to, including Jason Bates and Jordan Tonani, and a line for protection including Oiland, Dillon Beschel and a healthy Trevor Poole. Mt. Spokane’s Derek Ward threw for 1,345 yards and 12 TDs. Taylor was third in rushing with 852 yards and sixth in scoring with 11 touchdowns behind Wildcats leader Williams’ 118 total points on 13 rushing TDs and a receiving score. Williams gained 496 yards rushing and 613 receiving on 48 catches behind players like Ashton Boothroyd and Dean Flager. Gonzaga Prep junior Bishop Sankey rushed for 526 yards and averaged 10.5 yards per carry in his rookie season behind a line anchored by Huesner. CV’s Schmidt leads a veteran line on both sides of the ball and line play is LC’s strength with four returners, center Conor Beschel among them, and at EV as well, although Joey Meade moves to the backfield. Blaska is one of several veteran receivers and backs at U-Hi, targets for quarterback Tony Tabish.

Looking ahead

This week’s big game is Mt. Spokane-Mead, 8 p.m. Friday at Albi Stadium, the Panthers a 29-22 winner last year in their opener. … Other GSL games are Ferris-NC, 6:30 p.m., Thursday at Albi; Shadle Park-U-Hi, 5:30, Friday, Albi; Lewis and Clark at Lake City, EV at Gonzaga, Rogers at Mead, all Friday at 7 p.m.