GSL playoff picture still not clear
Just three weeks remain during regular season for Greater Spokane League football teams. Four have the inside track for the three play-in games against Columbia Basin League schools to determin 4A state berths.
But they all have to avoid obstacles that loom yet before them.
Unbeaten Gonzaga Prep (5-0 in the GSL) can secure one berth with a victory against Mead at home on Friday. Ferris and University (both 4-1) meet Thursday to determine which is in the best shape. Lewis and Clark (5-1) has two tough games remaining, Friday at East Valley and its season-ender against the Bullpups.
Whatever happens, the Tigers are assured a GSL record 15th straight league winning season, surpassing Gonzaga Prep which had 14 straight from the time the GSL was formed in 1976 through 1989.
“It is something John Hook deserves most of the credit for. Eight of the years were under John,” said current coach Tom Yearout. “We are proud of the accomplishment.”
While the aforementioned four schools have the advantage, Mead and Central Valley (both 2-3) aren’t mathematically eliminated, but they can’t lose again.
EV, which locked up its third straight 3A playoff berth with last Friday’s 30-17 win over Mt. Spokane, is the spoiler. The Knights (4-2) also play U-Hi, on Oct. 20, to wrap up their GSL campaign.
Colville eye opener
Deer Park football coach Keith Stamps picked Colville to win the league. Following the Indians’ 21-12 win Friday at defending state champion Pullman, Stamps is looking like a seer.
Now, unfortunately, his winless Stags have to face Colville, this Friday at home.
Colville standout John Roberts scored three touchdowns, including on a 94-yard back-breaking touchdown run and two-point conversion that put the visitors ahead 21-6.
And though the host Greyhounds had a 420 to 238 total yardage advantage, mistakes cost them.
Two particularly huge games remain in the Great Northern League. League unbeaten Clarkston is at Colville on Oct. 20 and hosts Pullman Oct. 27 as the three teams attempt to sort out which two make the state playoffs.
Smaller school rules
When Grandview swept past two Greater Spokane League and one Columbia Basin League schools last weekend at the Crossover Classic volleyball tournament it became the first Class 2A school to win the 13-year-old tournament.
Grandview has an enrollment of just over 700 students, mid-sized 2A enrollment figures, and was fifth in state a year ago. The team beat St. Maries, a storied Idaho program, two-time 4A state placer University and three-time defending 4A champion Mead in three games, including a 25-23 decider, to reach the title match at U-Hi. The championship was won in two games over Wenatchee.
Previous champions have been GSL teams Lewis and Clark, Ferris (twice) and Mead (three times); Sandpoint (twice), Kentlake (twice), 3A Fife and Eisenhower.
Also at the tournament, Central Valley opened eyes with its fourth-place finish. The Bears went 3-0 in pool play, beat State 4A perennial Heritage and stunned GSL unbeaten Lewis and Clark 25-22, 26-24 to reach the semifinals. They lost to Wenatchee in a 23-25, 24-26 thriller.
Record setter
Shadle Park freshman distance runner Andrea Nelson‘s win during the Richland Invitational set a meet record.
Nelson timed 18:11 during the 3-mile race at Carmichael Middle School and won by a comfortable 16 seconds.
Mead was an easy boys team winner in a race that marked the seaon debut of Taylor Nepon. Last year’s No. 1 runner has been sidelined with tendinitis in his knee. He was the Panther’s No. 4 placer in the meet and finished 10th overall in the race in 15:41, 42 seconds behind the winning time.
Meanwhile Ferris was an easy winner at the Nike/Jim Danner Invitational in Gresham, Oregon over Central Valley 58-136 which did nothing but enhance their national stature. The Bears’ showing was also significant. It could move them into contention for a berth in the Nike Team Nationals at the end of the season.