2017 football: Five best Whitworth QBs of all-time

Thu., Aug. 31, 2017

By Ryan Collingwood ryanc@spokesman.com (509) 459-5473

Debate on The S-R’s five best QBs series

The Spokesman-Review

High schools proved the most challenging. We enlisted former Spokesman-Review high school writers Dave Trimmer and Mike Vlahovich as well as current staffers Greg Lee and Chris Derrick. In addition, prep historians Mike Schock and Bill Pierce also weighed in. (Note: We limited our selection area to include only Spokane and Coeur d’Alene.)

In the end, our picks combined a number of factors: Statistics, team success and nostalgia – and obviously, the final choices are quite subjective (and for entertainment purposes only). We hope you’ll enjoy.

– Ralph Walter, Sports editor

1) Joel Clark

2003-2006

The former Mt. Spokane star had a sterling career at Whitworth, passing for 8,513 yards and 71 touchdowns while completing 80 percent of his throws. Clark, the 2006 Northwest Conference Player of the Year, was also dangerous with his feet, totaling 1,443 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. Clark led the Pirates to a 10-0 regular season in 2006 and the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.

2) Dennis Spurlock

1958-1961

Spurlock, a North Central grad, led the Pirates to an Evergreen Conference championship in 1961 and the NAIA semifinals, completing 135 of his passes for a NAIA-record 1,892 yards. Whitworth’s top student-athlete honor, The Dennis Spurlock Award, is named in memory of the All-American signal caller.

3) Ian Kolste

2013-2017

With a full season ahead of him, Kolste already owns about every Whitworth passing record. Kolste, who is 17-4 as a starter the last two seasons, completed 351 of his 488 passes for a NCAA Division III best 3,790 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2016. The Oak Harbor, Washington native was a first-team all-NWC selection in 2016 and led the Pirates to a playoff berth in 2015.

Kolste sets his sights on NWC title

“I’ve never won a conference title and I’ve never won a playoff game,” said Kolste, who boasts a 17-4 record as Whitworth’s starter the last two seasons. | Read more »

4) Scott Biglin

1999-2002

Biglin, a three-time all-NWC selection, led the Pirates to their first NCAA Division III playoff appearance in 2001. As a senior, Biglin completed 143 of his 264 passes for 13 touchdowns and added 431 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. The Pasco product was the NWC Offensive Player of the Year in 2001.

5) Bryan Peterson

2011-2014

A four-year starter, the West Valley High product set NCAA Division III records for most completions in one game (58) and most consecutive passes without an interception (82). He also set Whitworth records for single game passing yards (580) and total offense (559). His six touchdown passes in one game tied another school record.

Honorable mention

Vern Tucker, Ed Kretz, Danny Figuiera, Mike Martin, John Moomaw, Steve Wilson