GSL League at a Glance
Greater Spokane League
Listed in predicted order of finish
Mead Panthers
2003 records: 8-4, 5-1, 1st in American Division, 1st overall
Coach: Sean Carty
Years coaching, record: 3, 12-18
Starters, lettermen returning: 9, 22
Base offense, defense: Pro set, 5-2
Key players: Jesse Wilhelm, sr, OT (first team, All-GSL); Drew Bafaro, sr, FB/LB (first team, all-division); Mitch Ramsay, sr, WR/DB (second team, all-division); Skylar Jessen, jr, HB/DB (first team, All-GSL); Brad Morgan, sr, OT/DT; Blake Moore, sr, NG; Paul Senescall, jr, FB/LB; Andy Mattingly, jr, WR/DB; Royce Bond, jr, OG/DT; Andy DeFelice, jr, QB.
Outlook: Carty is good at understatement. “We have a solid core of returning starters in our skilled positions,” he said. Jessen alone makes them solid, what with his league stats of 1,616 yards rushing, 27 touchdowns and 10 yards a carry, all unmatched in the GSL and in the state. But the junior is not alone. Wilhelm may be the best offensive lineman in the league and Bafaro has a knack of making the key block. The defending champs did lose more than a few starters, so the “role players,” as Carty calls them, need to step up. Still, Mead is the favorite.
Shadle Park Highlanders
2003 records: 8-2, 6-0, 1st in the National Division, 2nd overall
Coach: Mark Hester
Years coaching, record: 21, 9 at Shadle, 104-96 overall, 35-51 at Shadle
Starters, lettermen returning: 10, more than 20
Base offense, defense: Multiple T, 4-3
Key players: Josh Powell, sr, QB (GSL’s Most Valuable Offensive Player); Andy Largent, sr, WR/DB/P (first team, All-GSL); Kody Anderson, sr, DB (first team, all-division); Chaz Faggiano, sr, DT; Bryan Braman, sr, SE; Stuart Tolken, sr, OG; Ryne Kiter, sr, RB; Kjel Carlson, sr, DB; Danny Doyle, sr, OT; Brian Kranches, sr, RB/DB.
Outlook: The Highlanders surprised GSL observers last year with their undefeated run through the regular season, which included a series of exciting, come-from-behind wins. The character Hester’s team showed in those triumphs should carry over to this season, as does some of the best skill-position talent in the league in Powell (107 of 184 for 1,692 and 17 touchdowns in GSL play) and Largent (28 catches for 328 yards, 209 yards rushing). But it is up front on both sides of the ball where Shadle has to rebuild. If the Highlanders do, expect them to battle for the title again.
Lewis and Clark Tigers
2003 records: 8-2, 5-1, 2nd in National Division, 3rd overall
Coach: Tom Yearout
Years coaching, record: 4, 30-9
Starters, lettermen returning: 5, 14
Base offense, defense: Single back, 4-4
Key players: Josh Shaw, sr, TE/LB (first team, All-GSL); Himes Alexander, sr, RB/DE; Chad Bemis, sr, QB; Shad Armstead, sr, OL/DL; Darryl Mackin, sr, WR/DB; Mike Martin, sr, OL/DL; Chris Matthews, sr, OL/DL; Brad Posten, sr, WR/LB; Michel Lundy, sr, RB/LB; Eric Nail, sr, DE/OL.
Outlook: Don’t expect the Tigers to get off to a fast start this season, with only five returning starters. “If we protect the football and develop some quality depth,” Yearout said, “we should be a solid team come November.” LC will again be solid defensively, but the offense is in the hands of first-year starters who “must quickly adjust to the speed and pace of varsity games,” Yearout said. If they do, the Tigers should make the playoffs for the seventh time in the past eight years.
East Valley Knights
2003 records: 7-3, 4-2, 3rd in National Division, 5th overall
Coach: Adam Fisher
Years coaching, record: 5, 16-21
Starters, lettermen returning: 8, 30
Base offense, defense: I-formation; 4-3
Key players: Jye Lanphere, jr, QB/DB (first team, all-division); Austin Wardsworth, jr, OL/DL; Spencer Shaw, sr, RB/LB (second team, all-division); Grant Bruscoe, sr, WR/DB; Nik Weiler, sr, WR/DB; Steve Anderson, sr, RB/DB; Jordan Jolley, sr, RB/LB; George Hamilton, sr, WR/DB; Tyler Jolley, jr, TE/DL; Brady Brunelle, jr, RB/LB.
Outlook: The Knights assume the role of favorite among the GSL’s 3A schools, despite the loss of a productive group of linemen and the GSL’s second-leading all-time rusher, Scott Campbell. The reason? “Our strength is our team speed in the skill positions,” Fisher said. Lanphere moves from receiver to quarterback, a position he played sparingly last season (four passes). Brunelle is the leading returning rusher, with 137 yards in league, but he averaged 7.2 per carry.
Gonzaga Prep Bulldogs
2003 records: 5-6, 5-1, 2nd in American Division, 4th overall
Coach: Dave Carson
Years coaching, record: 12, six at Prep, 31-27
Starters, lettermen returning: 8, 31
Base offense, defense: I-Veer, 4-3
Key players: Bill Karwacki, sr, QB (first team, all-division punter); Tom Aldofae, sr, LB (second team, all-division); Ryan Murphy, sr, DE/FB; Kellen Beam, sr, TE; Brandon Kennedy, sr, DB; Bill Trudeau, sr, OL; Brad Parker, sr, WR/S; Kellen Bryne, sr, RB/WR; John Tschirgi, sr, LB; Steve Nelson, sr, LB; Conner Hare, jr, DB; Vince Tschirgi, jr, FB/LB.
Outlook: The Bullpups struggled offensively at times last year, but a sound defense kept them in most games. The same may be true this season as Carson must replace most of his offensive line, including three linemen who earned all-division honors. But the senior leadership is strong on both sides of the ball and the defense, anchored by Aldofae, a three-year starter, could again rank among the league’s best. It should be enough to carry the Bullpups into the playoffs again.
Central Valley Bears
2003 records: 5-5, 2-4, 5th in National Division, 9th overall
Coach: Rick Giampietri
Years coaching, record: 11, 68-39-1
Starters returning: 9
Base offense, defense: I and Spread, Stack
Key players: Tommy Kadoya, sr, LB/RB; C.E. Kaiser, jr, OT; Steve Walsh, sr, OT; Matt Morgan, jr, WR; Kyle Renz, sr, LB; Blake Trimmer, sr, DB/K; Cameron Severns, sr, DB; Tim Hansen, sr, DL.
Outlook: The Bears played one of the toughest schedules in the league last year, missing only Mead of the league’s top five teams. If they want to get to the winning side of the ledger this year, their defense will have to lead the way and, with Kadoya and Renz, CV is tough at linebacker, as usual. The Bears need to replace their skill-position players on offense, with junior Zach Evans the leading returning rusher with 139 yards. Despite that, Giampietri, one of the leagues most experienced coaches, feels his team can contend. A playoff spot, though, may be just out of reach.
Clarkston Bantams
2003 records: 7-5, 4-2, 3rd in American Division, 6th overall
Coach: Dave Curtis
Years coaching, record: 28, 143-115-2
Starters returning: 7
Base offense, defense: Spread, 4-3
Key players: Jason Curtis, sr, QB (first team, All-GSL); Peter Leonard, sr, WR (first team, all-division); Trever Charlo, sr, LB/RB; Brayton Zipse, sr, LB/RB; Kyle Beggs, jr, LB/RB; Nash McComber, sr, OT/DE; Brad Phillips, sr, OG/DT; Larry Dale, sr, OT/DT; Alex Purcell, sr, OG/OT; Kyle Purcell, sr, C/DT; Mark Reiner, sr, TE/S; Joe Reiner, sr, TE/LB
Outlook: The Bantams are bigger than last year, but will struggle to duplicate the success a senior-oriented team was able to achieve. But any team with Curtis at quarterback (1,439 yards in league, completing 59 percent of his passes with 16 touchdowns and just four interceptions) is going to be tough to beat. And in Leonard (a second-best 548 yards receiving in league), Curtis has one of the league’s best deep threats. Beggs, who averaged more than 11 yards a carry last year, also gives Clarkston another scoring option. But, with only seven returning starters, there are holes to fill on both sides of the ball. Still, look for Clarkston in the 3A playoffs.
Ferris Saxons
2003 records: 3-6, 4-2, 4th in American Division, 8th overall
Coach: Clarence Hough
Years coaching, record: 9, 35-46
Starters, lettermen returning: 13, 36
Base offense, defense: Shotgun, Double Eagle
Key players: Curtis Heyamoto, sr, TE/LB (first team, all-division); Ryan Murphy, jr, RB/S (second team, all-division); Mike Beil, sr, OL; Blake Dickson, sr, OL; Keith Onstot, sr, OL; Robert Davis, sr, WR; Luke Sedler, sr, LB; Caleb Rath, jr, QB; Anthony Zachery, jr, WR/DB; Cameron Elisara, jr, DL; Kyle Krustangel, jr, OL.
Outlook: “We have a strong and motivated junior class,” Hough said, “and good character among the senior class.” Add that to a strong group of returning skill players, including Rath, who threw for 1,146 yards as a sophomore, and Hough thinks his Saxons can contend for the league crown. But not if there are a lot of injuries. “Our weakness is our depth,” he said. “We’re asking several kids to go both ways this year.” The Saxons may be a year away from a playoff spot.
Mt. Spokane Wildcats
2003 records: 5-5, 3-3, 4th in the National Division, 7th overall
Coach: Mike McLaughlin
Years coaching, record: 21 (6 at Mt. Spokane), 136-76-2
Starters, lettermen returning: 15, 25
Base offense, defense: Spread, Odd
Key players: Edwin Miller, sr, DE/OL (first team, all-division); Simon Cudmore, sr, OL/LB (second team, all-division); Shawn Semb, sr, LB/FB (second team, all-division); Adrianne Grissom, sr, OL/DL; Curtis Justice, sr, WR; Jordan Marshall, sr, DB/WR; Jeff Boyd, sr, OL/DL; Jesse Todd, sr, QB; Kris Pryor, jr, SL/DB.
Outlook: The Wildcats had experience and size returning up front, the best combination in high school football. In Cudmore, Grissom and Boyd, they had three seniors who averaged 268 pounds. But Boyd went down with a knee injury and may miss the season, cutting into Mt. Spokane’s depth. Miller, the Wildcats best returning defensive player up front, weighs in at a “paltry” 210 pounds. McLaughlin also likes his team’s speed – important in its spread offense. Todd returns at quarterback after sharing time last season with Tim Cavanaugh, who moved with his family to Florida. If the Wildcats start the season strong, they will battle for a playoff spot.
University Titans
2003 records: 3-7, 2-4, 5th in the American Division, 10th overall
Coach: Mike Ganey
Years coaching, record: 11, 44-53-1
Starters, lettermen returning: 10, 32
Base offense, defense: Pro, 4-3
Key players: Kris O’Connor, sr, RB (second team, all-division); Mike Conrad, jr, WR (second team, all-division); Nate Thompson, jr, OL; Mike Kelley, sr, DL; Alex Yerges, sr, WR; Clint Moquist, jr, TE; Brady Kenworthy, sr, WR; J.D. Peterson, sr, QB.
Outlook: This could be a tough year for the Titans, though any team with O’Connor is still a threat. The big (6-foot, 200-pound) running back ran through the opposition for 416 yards last year, despite missing three games to injury. Ganey says the Titans No. 1 priority is to develop an offensive line in front of O’Connor, after graduating two all-league choices last year. The Titans’ early schedule is also tough, with always-tough Lake City of Coeur d’Alene in non-league action and Ferris, Mead and Clarkston to start league. Don’t look for U-Hi to make the playoffs.
North Central Indians
2003 records: 2-8, 2-4, 6th in the American Division, 12th overall
Coach: Jay Jordan
Years coaching, record: 1, 2-8
Starters, lettermen returning: 8, 19
Base offense, defense: Wing T, 4-4
Key players: None listed. “Every returning player is key,” Jordan said.
Outlook: Jordan, a disciple of retired Cheney coach Tom Oswald, saw positive signs that carried over to this summer. “The players have been more committed than ever before,” he said. “They have worked hard to improve their skill and knowledge of the game.” Despite his reticence to name any key returners, one has to be Matt Gallagher, a senior offensive lineman who was first team in the American Division last season. The Indians will be playing their first year as a 3A school, with hopes of making the state playoffs for the first time in decades.
Cheney Blackhawks
2003 records: 3-8, 1-5, 6th in the National Division, 11th overall
Coach: Jason Williams
Years coaching, record: 1, 3-8
Starters, lettermen returning: 14, 26
Base offense, defense: I, 50
Key players: Luke Just, sr, TE; Joel Aiken, sr, LB; Thomas Marrs, sr, LB; Justin Garland, sr, NT; Chris Pineo, sr, FS; Brett Igbinoba, sr, SS; Conrad Martin, sr, LB, Nolan Pegg, sr, LB; Travis McKenzie, sr, T; Austin Hobbs, sr. G; Tristan Butler, sr, C.
Outlook: The Blackhawks took their lumps last year, but look to return the favor this season. “Our offensive line is our overall strength,” Williams said. With four returning starters up front and some help movin g up from junior varsity, the O-line is one area where Cheney has depth. Otherwise, “we lack depth,” Williams said. “We have to keep everyone healthy throughout the year.” The defense should keep the Blackhawks in games, but one of the two 3A playoff spots could be tough.
West Valley Eagles
2003 records: 1-9, 0-6, 7th in the American Division, 13th overall
Coach: Craig Whitney
Years coaching, record: 0, 0-0
Starters, lettermen returning: 3, 23
Base offense, defense: I, 4-3
Key players: Tyler Hobbs, jr, DE/TE (second team, all-division); Phillip Gannon, jr, RB/DB; A.J. Loehding, sr, OL/LB; Jim Warren, jr, OL/DL; Cameron Wieber, jr, QB; Mitch Phillips, jr, RB/LB; Corey Lewis, so, TE/LB.
Outlook: After six years as an assistant, Whitney takes over for Tim Trout, who moved on to become Shadle’s activities coordinator. The University of Montana grad brings an enthusiasm to the job that’s probably needed at the GSL’s smallest school. He’s also attracted more players, which gives his Eagles “more depth at most positions, especially with the underclassmen,” he said. But that also means WV is inexperienced, so this year may be a learning one for the Eagles.
Rogers Pirates
2003 records: 1-8, 0-6, 7th in the National Division, 14th overall
Coach: Ted Lyon
Years coaching, record: 1, 1-8
Starters, lettermen returning: 8, 12
Base offense, defense: I, 4-4
Key players: Brad Steinmetz, sr, OL/LB; Eric Hernandez, sr, RB/S; Levi Horn, sr, TE/DE; Josh Hicks, jr, QB/S; Mike Holloman, jr, RB/LB; D.J. Gaines, so, RB/LB; Scotty Livengood, so, QB/LB.
Outlook: The Pirates won their first game last season under Lyon, and then lost the next eight. Despite the losing record, Lyon saw “good offseason effort that has put the team in a more-prepared position.” But Rogers only has 32 players on its varsity roster, including 13 sophomores, so depth and experience are lacking. “We know how tough the GSL schedule is,” Lyon said, “but we hope to compete and win when we are playing at our very best.” There is some talent, with Horn, at 6-6, 250, having the opportunity to be something special. Wins might be few this year, but Lyon thinks the effort will be there.
Around the league
One thing that is no surprise each year in the GSL is there will be a surprise team. Last year it was Shadle Park, which broke from the gate quickly en route to an undefeated regular season. Who will fill that role this year? And who are the players to watch? Here are our preseason predictions …
Possible breakout team, 4A: Ferris. The Saxons return a lot of juniors who saw considerable action last year along with one of the best athletes in the league, Caleb Rath, at quarterback.
Possible breakout team, 3A: Cheney. Fourteen returning starters may be enough to lift the Blackhawks past Clarkston or East Valley and into the postseason.
Best quarterback, 4A: Josh Powell, Shadle Park. This is easy, though the league does feature some great athletes taking snaps. Powell came from nowhere to earn the GSL’s offensive MVP award last year, so if a rebuilt line can protect him, 2,000 yards passing is a possibility.
Best quarterback, 3A: Jason Curtis, Clarkston. Another easy choice as the senior is talented, plays in a perfect system for his talents and has one of the league’s best receivers to throw to.
Best offensive lineman: Jesse Wilhelm, Mead. Not the biggest, not the strongest, just gets the job done.
Best defensive lineman or linebacker: Josh Shaw, Lewis and Clark. He was first-team as a lineman last year and, despite being 240 pounds, will be playing linebacker this season. A Pac-10 spot is in his future.