NC prevails with depth

The Tracy Walters Invitational cross country race is unique in that it features 10 runners, scoring eight, as opposed to the typical seven runners per team, with five scoring.

Thus it was that North Central repeated as champions over Ferris’ upfront strength, 155-160, during Saturday’s meet at Audubon Park. I errantly indicated that Ferris won in my story Sunday, confused by double scoring listed in the result sheet.

The Saxons had the strength up front, as evidenced by its 55-72 margin in conventional scoring with the individual champion and three other runners in front of North Central’s No. 2 finisher.

But depth is the name of the Walters, and NC’s was not just relegated to the varsity. The Indians not only had better 8th-through-10th-place finishers, but had the top four, six of the first eight and eight of 11 overall in the junior varsity race.

The bottom line

By the end of last year, Gonzaga Prep football had a legitimate reason to believe the team was among the state’s best with an offensive line that, scythe-like, simply mowed down people.

In preseason this year, Prep coaches said to keep an eye on this year’s version.

“There is a lot of truth to that,” head coach Dave McKenna said at the time. “They’ve got to work and get better. When you graduate four or five guys who are really good and replace that unit it’s tough.”

This year’s offensive front five – Brian Schneider, David Nelson, James Heusner, Conor Gabbert and Matt Coles – took it to a veteran Ferris line, enabling the Bullpups to pile up nearly 400 rushing yards.

“You’ve got to give credit to those guys up front,” said McKenna following the 38-27 upset of the Saxons Friday night. “And mention Tyler Heaton and Jordan Hamby.”

The other backs in the Bullpups’ option attack, he said, “don’t get the ball, but block and do what they are told to do.”

Heaton had a 23-yard reception on third-and-15 late in the game that set up the clinching field goal.

“They do their job and that’s the beauty of it. That’s why I love these kids,” McKenna said.

“(Ferris is) a great football team,” he added. “I don’t know if people thought we could do it.”

Statistics watch

Connor Halliday’s 393-yard passing effort against the Bullpups was third-best for a single game in the Greater Spokane League.

All-time Greater Spokane League career rushing leader Tyree Clowe from Central Valley had nine games in which he rushed in excess of 200 yards. Bullpups junior Bishop Sankey has rushed for 200 back-to-back to start the season, giving him three for his career (he was one yard shy last year of a fourth). Sankey had 222 against Ferris even with a 67-yarder called back on a penalty and has a total of 437 in two games.

Only the beginning

GSL counters begin in the other four sports this week.

•Volleyball: Mead is at Mt. Spokane, 7 p.m. tonight in the feature match and University is at defending 3A champion Shadle Park in an interesting contest.

•Cross country: Wednesday, Shadle Park plays host to defending champion Mead, state favorite Ferris and contender Lewis and Clark in huge early season boys races. And in the girls, the Highlanders, defending co-champion Panthers and hobbled Tigers in a meet matching title contenders.

Meanwhile, Central Valley is the site of the meet between 3A boys favorites NC and Mt. Spokane, and the Bears and Wildcats girls title challengers.

Yes, five girls teams have enough talent to contend.

•Soccer: Feature is a Wednesday contest at 7 p.m. with Mt. Spokane at Gonzaga Prep.