PREP/PRO FOOTBALL PREVIEW
THURSDAY, AUGUST 28, 2014
CROSSING BORDERS
Renewed football rivalry between Washington, North Idaho prep schools highlights a changing landscape
PHOTO PHOTO ILLUSTRATION ILLUSTRATION BY BY COLIN COLIN MULVANY MULVANY
colinm@spokesman.com colinm@spokesman.com
Shadle Park QB Brett Rypien and the Highlanders will visit Lake City of Coeur d’Alene in an interstate game on Sept. 19.
Drew Berger and defending IEL, Idaho 5A champs Coeur d’Alene play GSL’s Ferris, Central Valley in September crossover games.
High school previews
Complete NFL schedule
League-by-league look at area prep teams, including full schedule and predictions for Washington and North Idaho leagues/T2-12
Find a full team-by-team schedule for the upcoming professional football season. Page T13
Prep sports online: NWPrepsNow.com
Seahawks inside Fast facts and how Seattle will fare in ferocious NFC West. Pages T13-15
Contact the Sports editor: (509) 459-5503 fax (509) 744-5655; email sports@spokesman.com
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BRETT RYPIEN SHADLE PARK QUARTERBACK
PLAYERS TO WATCH
GONZAGA PREP
JACK BAMIS
RUNNING BACK: Bamis rushed for 1,257 yards last year, and should lead the pack this fall.
FERRIS
JALEN HICKS
RUNNING BACK: Hicks might be tiny but he’s a threat to take it to the house at any time.
MT. SPOKANE
ROY HYATT
RUNNING BACK: An injury slowed Hyatt last year but he’s poised for breakout year.
SHADLE PARKL
ZACH PRICE
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN: Price, a returning all-leaguer, is a beast and will wreak havoc this season.
ROGERS
KAHLIL WINFREY
RECEIVER: The senior is the fastest returning player in the GSL. He led Pirates with 22 receptions last year.
PICTURED AT LEFT: Boise State-bound Brett Rypien threw for 4,086 yards and 57 touchdowns for Shadle Park as a junior.
SEPT. 4, THURSDAY
Lewiston vs. North Central (Albi), 4:45 West Valley-Yakima vs. Mt. Spokane (Albi), 7:15
SEPT. 5, FRIDAY
Wenatchee vs. Mead (Albi), 5 Eastmont vs. Rogers (Albi), 7:30 Gonzaga Prep at Richland, 7 Ferris at Olympia, 7 Lewis and Clark at Lake City, 7 Sandpoint at University, 7 Central Valley at Coeur d’Alene, 7
SEPT. 6, SATURDAY
Fife at Shadle Park (Albi), 1
SEPT. 11, THURSDAY
Lakeside vs. Rogers (Albi), 4:45
SEPT. 12, FRIDAY
Bellarmine Prep at Gonzaga Prep, 7 Mt. Spokane at Eastmont, 7 Moses L. vs. Lewis and Clark (Albi), 6 Coeur d’Alene vs. Ferris (Albi), 8 North Central at Moscow, 7 Mead at Southridge, 7 Shadle Park at Richland, 7 University at Post Falls, 7 Lake City at Central Valley, 7
SEPT. 18, THURSDAY
University vs. Ferris (Albi), 7:15
SEPT. 19, FRIDAY
Sandpoint vs. Mt. Spokane (Albi), 5 Sunnyside vs. N. Central (Albi), 7:30 Rogers at West Valley-Yakima, 7 Shadle Park at Lake City, 7 Lewis and Clark at Central Valley, 7 Mead at Gonzaga Prep, 7
SEPT. 25, THURSDAY
Central Valley vs. Shadle Park (Albi), 7:15
SEPT. 26, FRIDAY
Rogers vs. Mead (Albi), 5 Lewis and Clark vs. Ferris (Albi), 7:30
Mt. Spokane at Gonzaga Prep, 7 North Central at University, 7
OCT. 2, THURSDAY
Ferris vs. Mt. Spokane (Albi), 4:45 North Central vs. Lewis and Clark (Albi), 7:15
OCT. 3, FRIDAY
Gonzaga Prep vs. Shadle Park (Albi), 5 University vs. Rogers (Albi), 7:30 Mead at Central Valley, 7
OCT. 9, THURSDAY
Lewis and Clark vs. Rogers (Albi), 7:15
OCT. 10, FRIDAY
Shadle Park vs. Ferris (Albi), 5 Mead vs. Mt. Spokane (Albi), 7:30 North Central at Central Valley, 7 University at Gonzaga Prep, 7
OCT. 16, THURSDAY
Shadle Park vs. Rogers (Albi), 7:15
OCT. 17, FRIDAY
Mt. Spokane vs. North Central (Albi), 5 Ferris vs. Mead (Albi), 7:30 Central Valley at Gonzaga Prep, 7 Lewis and Clark at University, 7
OCT. 23, THURSDAY
University vs. Mead (Albi), 4:45 Shadle Park vs. North Central (Albi), 7:15
OCT. 24, FRIDAY
Rogers vs. Mt. Spokane (Albi), 5 Gonzaga Prep vs. Lewis and Clark (Albi), 7:30 Ferris at Central Valley, 7
OCT. 30, THURSDAY
Rogers vs. North Central (Albi), 4:45 Gonzaga Prep vs. Ferris (Albi), 7:15
OCT. 31, FRIDAY
Mead vs. Lewis and Clark (Albi) 5 Mt. Spokane vs. Shadle Park (Albi) 7:30 Central Valley at University, 7
STAFF GRAPHIC BY RALPH WALTER ralphw@spokesman.com PHOTO BY COLIN MULVANY colinm@spokesman.com
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It’s a whole new ballgame GSL AMONG BIGGEST CHANGE IN LANDSCAPE Within hours of the announcement, By Greg Lee gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168 border teams had orally committed to games. The ink wasn’t dry and Coeur d’Alene, for example, had Inland Empire League football commitments to play Central Valley coaches thought it was a door that and Ferris. had been permanently shut. Mead coach Sean Carty isn’t a fan For nearly a decade, IEL coaches have desired that their counterparts in of the change. “I’d rather we have a full league the Greater Spokane League would convince their administrators to open schedule,” Carty said. “I don’t like risking anything for a nonleague game. up their schedules and allow I want all of our games to count.” nonleague games. He said a game at Lake City more It made sense for two reasons for IEL teams. First, they wanted quality, than a decade ago when the GSL had playoff-level competition. Second, they nonleague opportunities impacted wanted to stay closer to home instead Mead’s league season. “We lost our quarterback and a of making treks to Boise, Pocatello, Seattle and stops in between to fill out wide receiver in that game,” Carty said. “It soured me on nonleague their schedules. It made sense, too, for GSL schools games.” The landscape of leagues across the – especially 3A schools. Rogers and North Central, for example, would be region changed for the 2014-15 and 2015-16 athletic years. Reclassification able to schedule games against teams had much to do with the juggling more at their competitive level. among leagues involving 2A schools Imagine the smiles that crept over and smaller in eastern Washington. IEL coaches faces in early January The ripple effect crossed the border when they learned that the GSL into Idaho, too. planned to divide into 4A and 3A Here’s a quick look at what’s new divisions, opening spots on their in the region: schedules for nonleague games.
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Border skirmishes Thanks to a new division alignment in the GSL, there is room in schedules for interstate matchups with IEL teams. Here are the matchups this season:
Sept. 5 Lewiston vs. N.Central (Albi), 4:45 Sept. 6 Lewis and Clark at Lake City, 7 Central Valley at Coeur d'Alene, 7 Sandpoint at University, 7 Sept. 12 Coeur d'Alene vs. Ferris (Albi), 8 North Central at Moscow, 7 University at Post Falls, 7 Lake City at Central Valley, 7 Sept. 19 Sandpoint vs. Mt. Spokane (Albi), 5 Shadle Park at Lake City, 7
G A 4A champ and a 3A champ will be crowned in the GSL. Just games involving teams from their respective classification will count toward league title and postseason berths. G The Great Northern League has shrunk from seven teams to five. That means the top two seeds will play play-in games against the second and
MONTANA ST.
third seeds from the Central Washington Athletic Conference, on a Tuesday, to earn the right to continue advancing. G The Northeast A League lost a team but gained two, expanding to eight. Colville and Deer Park moved down from the GNL. This allows the NEA to discontinue its crossover agreement with the Caribou Trail League, which shrunk to four teams. The top three teams in the NEA earn playoff berths. G The league experiencing the most expansion is the Northeast 2B. Already tough with two-time defending state champ Lind-Ritzville/Sprague, traditional powers Colfax and Reardan, the league added Wilbur-Creston and Tekoa-Rosalia, a new coop between former 1B schools. Kettle Falls drops from 1A. This gives the NE 2B 10 teams and a full league schedule. There will be no nonleague games. G In 1B, Columbia and Inchelium have ended their coop after four years and will field separate teams and be located in opposite divisions. G In Idaho, the North Star League’s four eight-man teams have combined See CHANGE, T8
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TYLER TJOMSLAND tylert@spokesman.com
Gonzaga Prep's Jack Bamis rushed for 1,257 yards last season, but will run behind an inexperienced offensive line when the season opens.
Target on Pups, Saxons STAYING HEALTHY IS PREVAILING THEME FOR JUNIOR-DOMINATED LEAGUE GSL 4A
By Greg Lee gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168
Junior Liam Bell has earned the start at quarterback. Ferris will center its offense around senior running back Jalen Hicks, who finished third last year with 916 yards. Hicks Coach Jim Sharkey will also use Hicks at receiver, seeking opportunities to use the speedy Saxon one-on-one against defensive backs. Seniors Tanner Parker and Mitch Pike, a transfer from North Carolina, are waging a battle for the start at quarterback. “A tough nonleague schedule should prepare us for league games,” Sharkey said. “We will need to stay healthy to be in the hunt in a very balanced league. The turnover ratio will be a key stat for us.” If either G-Prep or Ferris stumble, the rest hope to be ready to step up. “It’s the toughest league to predict in my eight years of being in Spokane,” Sharkey said.
It may not be unanimous but the Greater Spokane League’s 4A coaches believe Gonzaga Prep will capture the league championship. The team the coaches believe will earn the other play-in berth is Ferris. The coaches believe all six teams will be competitive. G-Prep coach Dave McKenna said the chief challenge he faces is finding an offensive line. He didn’t know who he’d have in the hunt for starting jobs even on the first day of fall camp. Even when he determines his starters up front there won’t be much margin for injury. “We need to stay healthy,” McKenna said. G-Prep will feature a talented backfield. Senior running back Jack Bamis was the second-leading rusher a year ago with 1,257 yards. Assisting Bamis will be senior Nick Wood, who proved Stronger up front capable last season. A year ago, LC started one of its most
experience among the 4A teams. Which team matures quickest remains to be seen. 1. Gonzaga Prep 4. Central Valley CV must rebuild its offensive line; 2. Ferris 5. Mead Mead’s best asset could be speed; and 3. Lewis and Clark 6. University U-Hi’s youth and depth will be tested. Senior Spencer Miller will be a key two-way starter at RB and LB for CV. “We like our potential,” CV coach Rick inexperienced lines. Coach Dave Hughes Giampietri said. “We have great skill likes what he has back. players.” Where the Tigers could prove to be strongest, though, is on defense. At Mead, seniors Anthony Gold and Daniel Munoz are battling for time at “We have eight starters back on quarterback. defense,” Hughes said. Leading the way is junior defensive Mead coach Sean Carty said his team end Blake Ochsner and senior linebacker will focus on the purest form of the Fly Taylor Duncan, who will be the featured offense. Which is to say Gold and Munoz will likely run more than throw. starter at tailback. Titans running back Bryce Williamson It’s believed that LC has the best junior class among the 4A teams. gained 567 yards in seven games as a starter last year as a sophomore. He’ll be “It’s yet to be determined but we’re counted on to anchor a young offense. excited about it,” Hughes said. “As a whole most teams’ juniors are better “We had a tremendous offseason that than their seniors.” spanned the majority of the summer,” U-Hi coach Rob Bartlett said. “We have a small group of seniors, so Fewest starters returning some of our younger players have a great Central Valley, Mead and University, which moves up from 3A, return the least opportunity to play on Friday nights.”
Predicted finish order
all-league pick Jacob Yedica returns. “This group of seniors knows how to win,” Cloer said. “They were undefeated as freshmen, had one loss as sophomores and two losses in the regular season last year.”
GSL 3A
SUPPORTING CAST NOT SAME FOR RYPIEN
Expect success
By Greg Lee gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168
Is one player better than a team? That’s the question facing Greater Spokane League 3A teams this year. For the first time in the league’s history, a 3A champion will be decided. Shadle Park must be considered the favorite based on the one player – senior quarterback Brett Rypien, who has re-written the passing records the last two seasons and will continue to add to those marks this fall. The team given the best chance to challenge Shadle Park is Mt. Spokane. The four 3A coaches are split on which team will capture the league title. So the league title will come down to the aforementioned question – is one player better than a team? The top two teams advance to play-in games with the Mid-Columbia Conference.
COLIN MULVANY colinm@spokesman.com
Senior slot Roy Hyatt will be featured back for Mt. Spokane under first-year coach Terry Cloer.
productive a season as his last two because most of his receivers graduated. Some would argue that Rypien won’t have as productive a season because the Highlanders will have an inexperienced offense line. Rypien is plenty confident in the receivers he’ll work with this season and it may not matter if the offensive line is as good as it was a year ago. Rypien has the quickest release of any quarterback in the Northwest, and the fact that he’ll be in the shotgun formation should afford him more than enough time to find open receivers.
Back for more
Biggest question?
Some would argue that Rypien won’t have as
Shadle must fill some big holes on defense.
the top at Mt. Spokane, but the expectations remain the same. Gone is longtime coach 1. Mt. Spokane Mike McLaughlin. In is Terry 2. Shadle Park Cloer, who expects to continue Mt. Spokane’s 3. North Central tradition of challenging for a 4. Rogers play-in berth. Ultra-talented quarterback The Highlanders had one of Stu Stiles graduated but the Wildcats return experience the most improved defenses on the offensive line and in the league a year ago, but plenty of other skill players. graduation has depleted it. Mt. Spokane will feature That’s where Shadle faces the senior slotback Roy Hyatt. biggest rebuilding job. Senior quarterback Matt The Highlanders will Pulliam started two games feature one of the best last year before Stiles defensive linemen in the returned from suspension. league in senior Zach Price. Where the Wildcats could But he’ll need much help. be especially strong is on defense, especially at ‘Cats ready to pounce linebacker. First-team There’s been a change at
Predicted finish order
If Shadle’s 11-2 season a year ago did anything, it was spread confidence throughout its program. The Highlanders stepping up to fill holes left by graduation are poised to continue what was started last year. “We should be competitive in every game and be in great position for a playoff run as the season unfolds,” first-year coach Jim Mace said. G North Central expects to battle Shadle and Mt. Spokane. “We have a few guys that can really run on offense with Jamaal Edwards and Isaac Wicks,” NC coach Brian Gardner said. “Combine that with an offensive line that has a lot of game experience and we are hoping to move the ball and put some points on the board. We won’t be the biggest team on the field but we will match toughness and I’ll take toughness any day.” G Rogers begins a new era under coach Ben Cochran. The Pirates have perhaps the fastest player in the league in junior receiver Khalil Winfrey. “We have few seniors but our junior class and upcoming classes look great,” Cochran said. “I feel all around we have some momentum.”
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SANDPOINT, LAKELAND HAVE EYES ON TITLE 2011 and 2013. Sandpoint should have an athletic crew with a turnout of roughly 130 and By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com, (208) 765-7131 strong attendance at summer conditioning workouts. “You have to play the games,” Lakeland or Sandpoint? Bulldogs coach Satini Puailoa said. “On Most agree one of those two teams paper it should be us battling each will win the IEL 4A championship. Ah, but which one? The answer should come other.” The 4A state playoffs have been when the rivals collide Oct. 10 in expanded to 12 teams, giving the IEL Rathdrum. Defending champion Lakeland seems two berths and an outside shot at three. to have the pieces to repeat but the Hawks need to stay healthy. Hawks soaring “We have a tight group of seniors that Lakeland’s wing-T offense will feature some have a lot of varsity experience,” said familiar names, including senior quarterback Hawks coach Tim Kiefer, whose team Tyrel Derrick, senior running back Tuekota advanced to the state playoffs in 2007, Tate-Vandever and senior tight end Brian
be around,” Kiefer said.
INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE 4A
Predicted finish order 1. Sandpoint 2. Lakeland 3. Moscow
Bulldogs chasing title
Sandpoint boasts returning All-IEL selections Nate Loutzenhiser (quarterback), Bill Webber (OL) and Quinn Pearlstein (LB). Howell. “Can we win the next-level game?” Puailoa Derrick was the 2013 IEL offensive newcomer said. “Lakeland has one of its best senior classes. I think we have four or five 5A teams, of the year. The 5-foot-5, 170-pound Tate-Vandever, who also sees time at plus East Valley, on the schedule. Can we line linebacker, and Howell, a contributor in the up against those guys and not just compete but secondary, are coming off All-IEL seasons. Cade can we get one, two or three of them?” Coffey is one of the best kickers in the region. Other names to watch are WR Matt Timothy, Linebacker Chris Washburn and defensive RB Kyle Perry, WR Wyatt Cox, WR/DB Davin back Kenny Cooper, both returning all-league Norris and LB Tyler Harris. selections, are defensive cornerstones. “We have three starters back on the “We have a great group of hard-working, offensive line and a number of guys that have program kids that will be fun to coach and just been in the system two years,” Puailoa said.
Thankful to be a coach
KATHY PLONKA kathypl@spokesman.com
Post Falls football coach Jeff Hinz is battling cancer and gets around the football field with the help of a cane and a golf cart.
CANCER GIVES POST FALLS COACH A FRESH OUTLOOK By Jim Meehan
walking around his house. Tests revealed he had lung cancer and it had spread in the form of a tumor in his left leg. Post Falls High football coach Jeff The treatment initially was an oral Hinz gets to coach a game Friday night. form of chemotherapy. That not only Hinz stresses his use of the word didn’t work but the cancer spread in one “gets”, and with it comes a ton of month’s time. From January to May perspective. doctors put Hinz on “the hard stuff,” 8-9 “I’m going on my 20th year of hour chemo sessions that left him puffy teaching and I felt like how you might and eventually took away his hair. get in your career and everything in life “I took the first one and I was just that ‘I have to go to work today, I have to dragging,” Hinz recalled. “I get to my do this or that,’ ” Hinz said. “After I got house and there’s two Papa Murphy’s diagnosed (with cancer) you put things pizzas and there’s seven, eight (players) in perspective. sitting on my porch waiting for me.” “I’m thankful for my family, my job Hinz relates other instances that have and coaching and teaching. I get to teach, touched him deeply. Fundraisers, phone I get to coach.” Hinz’s world turned upside down last calls, words of encouragement, visits from staff, players and coaches past and November. His leg broke as he was jimm@spokesman.com, (208) 659-3791
His biggest issue has been mobility. The slow healing process in his hip/leg makes it hard to grab something from an upstairs office or move swiftly between present. Hinz said his family has been drills. He uses a golf cart at practice. his backbone and Post Falls’ “At some point during double days administration has been supportive. He was buoyed after meeting a friend I’ve been as tired as the kids,” a smiling of a staff member who had a similar form Hinz said. “I’ve had some good naps of lung cancer that has been in remission between practices.” Hinz will have another chemo for seven years. Coeur d’Alene’s booster treatment Friday morning, hours before club donated a “Waterboy” (water the season opener. He said his players station) to Hinz, a CdA alum, and his “have been great.” A core group program. regularly attended the summer The aggressive treatments have been conditioning program. effective. He’s now on a maintenance “It hurt the whole community because program with two-hour chemo he’s such a good guy and he’s well treatments. known around town,” senior “They scanned me in July and the quarterback Dalton Thompson said. “We cancer isn’t growing or starting in any new places,” Hinz said. “This is the most just want to do something we haven’t done in a long time, maybe get him a normal I’ve felt since this happened.” league title, maybe a state title. One of Hinz’s coaching staff has stepped up those rings for him would be nice.” to keep the program running smoothly.
VIKS NOT QUITE READY TO GIVE UP TOP SPOT
Coeur d’Alene junior quarterback Austin Lee returns after gaining valuable experience in the state title game last season.
INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE 5A By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com, (208) 765-7131
The Coeur d’Alene Vikings hear the whispers loud and clear. The murmur goes something like this: The Vikings, state champions three of the last four years, are down, they’re vulnerable. “People are kind of saying Coeur d’Alene has slipped and this is our chance to get them,” Vikings coach Shawn Amos said. “All that stuff is just talk, it all comes down to when you line up. We’ve averaged almost 100 kids a day all summer (conditioning program). “There are usually 6-8 teams that have the talent to win a state championship and I think we’ll be one of those teams.” Some of the Vikings’ rivals are thinking the same thing. Lake City, which saw its string of 16 consecutive state playoff appearances end last year when the IEL had just one berth, and
KATHY PLONKA kathypl@spokesman.com
Post Falls are primary challengers. The 5A playoffs are expanding to 12 teams so the IEL returns to having two berths and there’s a chance for a third.
Predicted finish order 1. Coeur d’Alene 2. Lake City
3. Post Falls 4. Lewiston
Johnson in a seven- to eight-man rotation. Walde, Plum, Myles Mahaffy, Alec Sibold and Cole Williams anchor the secondary. The biggest question mark is the offensive and defensive fronts, but Amos anticipates rotating as many as nine players on each line.
Speedy T-Wolves Lake City returns Jerry Louie-McGee, a game-changer at receiver, running back and returning kicks. He won the 400 meters at state track last spring. “He can really run and he’s up to 170, 175 pounds,” coach Van Troxel said. “We’re going to find ways to isolate him.” Said Lewiston coach Shawn Nilsson: “He’s going to be a pain in the butt to prepare for.” Senior Michael Goggin and junior Colin Hunter are competing at quarterback. Both are quality athletes and the runner-up will probably end up at receiver. Other LC mainstays will be RB/S Connor Newby, S/TE Drew Shipley, RB/DB Kirk McKenzie, CB/RB Corey Cook and linemen Jacob Ramey and Zion Dixon.
Viks back for more CdA returns All-IEL performers Drew Berger, a linebacker/running back who has committed to Boise State, defensive back/receiver Ryan Walde and DB/WR Jonny Plum. “This might sound a little cocky but I don’t think we have any competition at all,” Berger said. “I think we’re going to be fine. Lake City and Post Falls are going to be great teams but we’re going to have a great team as well.” Junior Austin Lee steps in as the starting quarterback. He played a big part in the team’s 2013 state title, filling in for the injured Gunnar Amos and scoring the winning
Talented Trojans touchdown with 47 seconds left. “I was pretty nervous,” Lee said. “The whole last drive was in slow motion but I think I did pretty good.” Lee was one of those 100 players at “summer army,” the daily conditioning/lifting program. Plum and Walde lead a deep group of receivers. How deep? Amos expects nine receivers to play in the opener. Amos called the linebackers and secondary “as good as we’ve had.” Gibson Green, who will see time at running back, joins Berger, Myles Flanagan, Kyle Schneider and Colton
Post Falls, aiming for its first playoff berth since 2004, will rely on senior quarterback Dalton Thompson, solid offensive and defensive lines and linebackers Thomas Roman, Gunner Sciortino and Richie Hauser. Senior OL/DL Justin Farnsworth is a three-year starter. “We’re pretty good up front,” coach Jeff Hinz said. Standout RB/DE Seth McLeod is sidelined by injuries sustained from wrestling. “We’re really hungry,” Thompson said. “Our group of seniors has never played in the state tournament and that’s so much motivation.”
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KATHY PLONKA kathypl@spokesman.com
Senior linebacker/running back Daniel Buck was the defensive MVP of the Intermountain League last season.
The Buck stops here
TIGERS REMAIN THE TEAM TO BEAT losing somebody for two positions,” Albertson said. Timberlake returns senior Daniel By Greg Lee gregl@spokesman.com, (509) 844-8168 Buck, the IML’s defensive player of the year at linebacker and a starter at running back. The Tigers feature the Timberlake will continue its Mason twins – er, towers – on the right dominance this year. side of their offensive line. Bryan Mason The Tigers have captured eight is 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds and was the straight Intermountain League championships and qualified for the state league’s lineman of the year last season. Gregg Mason (6-4, 230) was lost in the playoffs for 10 consecutive years. second week to a broken hip sustained And coach Roy Albertson’s 12th team when he was running a 20-yard sprint. should be similar to recent teams. “This could be one of the best lines Timberlake had high hopes for we’ve ever had,” Albertson said. advancing further in the postseason last year, but the loss of four two-way starters dug into its depth. Upward mobility “At this level, if you lose people you’re Kellogg coach Tyrel Hendrix enters
INTERMOUNTAIN LEAGUE
Bonners Ferry. Priest River returns three starters and Predicted finish order Bonners Ferry brings back one. 1. Timberlake 3. Priest River Spartans coach Shane Douglas will 2. Kellogg Bonners Ferry start three sophomores on offense including a freshman lineman. Half of his turnout of 48 are freshmen. “We’re striving to get better every his third year as head coach as optimistic day,” Douglas said. “It’s not that they’re as ever. “We will be more competitive than we not good. They’re just new.” Bonners Ferry coach Ed DePriest has have the past two seasons,” Hendrix said. The top two teams advance to the state no idea how his team will fare. “It’s very hard to tell at this time,” playoffs. Kellogg returns quarterback/defensive DePriest said. “We have some kids who have the back James Red along with five other potential to develop into playmakers. Our starters. Hendrix is high on his skill lack of depth and ability to stay healthy positions but says his offensive line will will determine how competitive we will be inexperienced. be. If the young players can stay healthy and grow we have the potential to be Young and younger competitive.” That best describes Priest River and
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CHANGE
Continued from T3 with the four from the Whitepine League. The new league is called the White Star, and the top two teams earn playoff berths. While Carty isn’t a proponent of the change in the GSL, he also understands it. “I’m willing to do what it takes,” Carty said. “I totally get it. I’m not saying it’s all wrong.” The majority of the GSL coaches support the change wholeheartedly. “There are some positives and negatives,” Lewis and Clark coach Dave Hughes said. “The positives are we have a chance at a couple of nonleague games. The negative is football is now different than any other GSL sport. Every other sport has one GSL champ. It’s a tradition and history thing for me. This league functioned well before I got in it. Maybe the traditional league doesn’t work anymore.” As far as the IEL coaches were concerned, the GSL’s change was a late Christmas present for them. Sandpoint, for example, picked up games with University and Mt. Spokane and dropped games with West Valley and Clarkston. “We wanted to strengthen our schedule,” Sandpoint coach Satini Puailoa said. CdA exchanged road trips to Boise, Portland and Seattle for games with CV, Ferris and Moses Lake. Lake City said goodbye to treks to Idaho Falls, Seattle and Kennewick for contests against CV, Lewis and Clark and Shadle Park. Deer Park is looking forward to its change of scenery in the NEA. The Stags trade a 3-hour one way road trek to Clarkston for less than an hour trip to Freeman. “The GNL was a great league to be part of,” Deer Park athletic director Chris Snyder said. “We had a lot of success in that league. Our district will appreciate the savings in travel, and the kids will get home sooner on week nights. When you’re heading to Clarkston on a Tuesday for volleyball, basketball or wrestling, you’re not getting back until midnight or 1 in the morning. We’re looking forward to eliminating those for a couple of years.” The shrinking GNL could shrivel even more in two years when enrollments are checked again. It’s believed Cheney, which has two middle schools feeding into its high school, could be big enough to join the 3A teams in the GSL. Such a move most likely would draw in East Valley and possibly West Valley into the GSL. That would leave Pullman and Clarkston on an island. It’s not a good year for
WASHINGTON 4A Greater Spokane League Ferris Gonzaga Prep Lewis and Clark Central Valley Mead
Wilbur-Creston to move up a classification. The Wildcats would have been heavily favored to challenge for a state football championship in 1B. Now Wilbur-Creston has landed in arguably the toughest 2B league in the state. “We’re ready to take on the challenge,” W-C coach Darin Reppe said. “The kids are excited and ready for something new. “We’re going up against what I call the Big Three – Lind-Ritzville/Sprague, Colfax and Reardan. They’re in the playoffs every year. Their track records speak for themselves. They set the bar of excellence in this league. We’re looking forward to the challenge of breaking through the top three.” In 1B, Columbia and Inchelium had combined to field a football team the last four years. But Inchelium’s school board voted last spring to break away and field its own team. “Columbia wanted to stay together,” said Brian Myers, Inchelium’s athletic director who coached the football team last year. “I’d still be the coach if we were one team.”
Inchelium (split from coop with Columbia) Republic Northport
Northeast 1B South
University (formerly 3A)
3A Greater Spokane League
Odessa-Harrington Almira/Coulee-Hartline Wellpinit Columbia (split from coop with Inchelium) Pateros
Rogers North Central Mt. Spokane
Entiat
Northeast 2B
Shadle Park
Great Northern League (lost two members) Clarkston Cheney East Valley West Valley Pullman
Reardan Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Colfax Liberty Northwest Christian Davenport Kettle Falls (formerly NEA) Springdale Tekoa-Rosalia (new coop; formerly 1B schools) Wilbur-Creston (formerly NE 1B)
Northeast A
BIG NINE CONFERENCE
Riverside Newport Colville (formerly GNL) Deer Park (formerly GNL) Chewlah Freeman Lakeside (WA) Medical Lake
Northeast 1B North Cusick Curlew Selkirk
CONFIDENT MOSES LAKE FIGURES TO BE IN CONTENTION
Southeast 1B Colton Dayton Garfield-Palouse Liberty Christian Pomeroy Touchet Lacrosse-Washtucna/ Kahlotus Pomeroy St. John Endicott
The new Big Nine Conference as we know it – since the divorce from the Mid-Columbia schools – could see its most competitive football season as it enters year three. Defending champ Wenatchee (9-3 overall last year) is a slight favorite over Moses Lake (7-4), which earned the league’s second state playoff berth a year ago. Davis of Yakima (4-6), which started just one senior last season, will mount a serious challenge. The league expanded from five to seven teams this year with the addition of Sunnyside (formerly 3A) and West Valley of Yakima, which moves up from 2A to 4A. Moses Lake coach Todd Griffith expects his team to be in the thick of the playoff chase. “We have a dedicated group of 60 kids who were in the weight room all summer,” Griffith said. “It’s the best we’ve had in a long time.” The Chiefs return their quarterback, senior Easton Castro, and senior running back Nathan Ball. In all they bring back 13 starters. “We should be an extremely confident team,” Griffith said.
Sunnyside Christian
IDAHO 5A Inland Empire League Couer d’Alene Lake City Lewiston Post Falls
4A Inland Empire League Lakeland Moscow Sandpoint
Intermountain League Timberlake Bonners Ferry Kellogg Priest River
2A Central Idaho
Grangeville Orofino
White Star (combination of Whitepine and North Star) Clark Fork Kootenai Lakeside (ID) Mullan Deary Kendrick Lewis County Timberline
1A Division I Independant Wallace (formerly North Star)
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THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
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WEEK BY WEEK All times unless otherwise noted
Aug. 29 Coeur d’Alene at Skyline, 7 Lake City at Rocky Mountain, 7 Deary at Potlatch, 7 Priest River at Nampa Christian, noon Lakeland at Lewiston, 7 Post Falls at Sandpoint, 7 Genesee at Kendrick, 7 Lewis Co. vs. Clark Fork at Kibbie Dome, 3 Moscow at Grangeville, 7 Kellogg at St. Maries, 7 Lapwai at Wallace, 7 Mullan vs. Timberline at Kibbie Dome, 5
Aug. 30 Timberlake at Frenchtown, 7 Bonners Ferry at Libby, 7 Oakley at Lakeside (Plummer), 1
Sept. 4 Mt. Spokane vs. W.V. (Yak.) at Seattle, 7:15 Lewiston vs. North Central at Albi, 4:45
Sept. 5 Post Falls at Skyview, 7 Asotin at McCall, 7 S’side Chr.vs. Rainier Chr. at Kentlake, 7 Pullman at East Valley (Yakima), 7 Ferris at Olympia, 7 Eastmont vs. Rogers at Albi, 7:30 Sandpoint at University, 7 Wenatchee vs. Mead at Albi, 5 Richland at Gonzaga Prep, 7 Lewis and Clark at Lake City, 7 Central Valley at Coeur d’Alene, 7 Deer Park at East Valley, 7 Moscow at Clarkston, 7 West Valley at Lakeland, 6 Lakeside (ID) at Kendrick, 7 Lewis County at Timberline, 7 Lakeside (WA) at Kellogg, 7 Riverside at Timberlake, 7 Newport at Bonners Ferry, 7 Cheney at Colville, 7 Orofino at Medical Lake, 7 Priest River vs. Chewelah at Chewelah, 7 St. Maries vs. Freeman at Freeman, 7 Pateros vs. Curlew at Curlew, 3 Entiat vs. Republic at Republic, 7 Neah Bay vs. Cusick, TBA Selkirk at Inchelium, 3 Northport at Wellpinit, 3 St. John-Endicott at Odessa-Harrington, 7 Waterville at Columbia, 3 Salmon River at Colton, 7 ACH at Liberty Christian, 7 Wallace at Garfield-Palouse, 7 Kootenai at Clark Fork, 7 Mullan at Deary, 7 Wilbur-Creston at Springdale, 7 Reardan at Kettle Falls, 7 Liberty at Colfax, 7 Lind-Ritzville/Sprague at Davenport, 7 Tekoa-Rosalia vs. NWChr. at Riverside, 7
Sept. 6 Fife vs. Shadle Park at Albi, 11 a.m.
Sept. 9
St. John-Endicott at Troy (ID), 7 Shadle Park at Richland, 7 Lake City at Central Valley, 7 Bellarmine Prep at Gonzaga Prep, 7 Moses Lake vs. Lewis and Clark at Albi, 6 Coeur d’Alene vs. Ferris at Albi, 8 Southridge vs. Mead at Kennewick, 7 University at Post Falls, 7 Sandpoint vs. at Lewiston, 7 Mt. Spokane at Eastmont, 7 Freeman at Pullman, 7 Colville at West Valley, 7 Lakeland at East Valley, 7 North Central at Moscow, 7 Kellogg at Orofino, 7 Clarkston at Grangeville, 7 Medical Lake at St. Maries, 7 Lethbridge at Bonners Ferry, 7 Cheney at Deer Park, 7 Priest River at Newport, 7 Columbia Burbank at DeSales, 7 Riverside at Asotin, 7 Northport at Inchelium, 3 Curlew at Wellpinit, 3 Republic at Almira/Coulee-Hartline, 7 Cusick at Columbia, 7 Waterville at Odessa-Harrington, 7 Kendrick vs. Lewis County at Nezperce, 4 Lakeside at Clark Fork, 7 Colfax at Tekoa-Rosalia, 7 Davenport at Wilbur-Creston, 7 Reardan vs. Liberty at Liberty, 7 Kettle Falls vs. NW Chr.at Riverside, 7 Springdale at Lind-Ritzville/Sprague, 7 Dayton at Colton, 7 Gar.-Palouse at LaCrosse-Washtucna, 7
Sept. 18 University vs. Ferris at Albi, 7:15
Sept. 19 Sunnyside vs. North Central at Albi, 7:30 Sandpoint vs. Mt. Spokane at Albi, 5 Shadle Park at Lake City, 7 East Valley at Post Falls, 7 Coeur d’Alene at Moses Lake, 7 Moscow at Pullman, 7 Rogers at West Valley, 7 Lewiston at Clarkston, 7 Timberline at Kootenai, 7 Selkirk at Clark Fork, 7 St. Maries at Kellogg, 7 Asotin at Timberlake, 7 Pateros at Republic, 7 Almira/Coulee-Hartline at Curlew, 3 Cusick at Odessa-Harrington, 7 Inchelium at Columbia, 3 Lakeside (ID) at Wallace, 7 Lewis and Clark at Central Valley, 7 Mead at Gonzaga Prep, 7 Lewis County at Deary, 7 Mullan at Kendrick, 7 Newport at Freeman, 7 Chewelah at Lakeside (WA), 7 Colville at Medical Lake, 7 Deer Park at Riverside, 7 Kettle Falls at Davenport, 7 Northwest Christian at Reardan, 7 Lind-Ritzville/Sprague at Tekoa-Rosalia, 7 Springdale at Liberty, 7 Colfax at Wilbur-Creston, 7 Liberty Christian at St. John-Endicott, 7 Garfield-Palouse at Dayton, 7 LaCrosse-Washtucna at Colton, 7
Lake City JV at Bonners Ferry, 2
Sept. 10 Kootenai at Wallace JV, 6 Curlew at Inchelium, 3
Sept. 25
Sept. 11
Sept. 26
Lakeside (WA) vs. Rogers at Albi, 4:45
Lewiston at Hermiston, Ore., 7 Lake City at Tumwater, 7 West Valley at Moscow, 7 Post Falls at Lakeland, 7 East Valley at Sandpoint, 7 Lapwai at Kendrick, 7 Bonners Ferry at St. Maries, 7
Central Valley vs. Shadle Park at Albi, 7:15
Sept. 12 Wallace at Potlatch, 7 Deary at Genesee, 7 Chewelah Warden at Warden, 7
2 0 1 4
(.!3
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OREGON
Lewis and Clark vs. Rogers at Albi, 7:15 COLIN MULVANY colinm@spokesman.com
Oct. 10 Moscow at Cheney, 7 Kendrick at Kootenai, 7 Deary at Clark Fork, 7 Mead vs. Mt. Spokane at Albi, 7:30 Gonzaga Prep at University, 7 North Central at Central Valley, 7 Shadle Park vs. Ferris at Albi, 5 Post Falls at Lake City, 7 Coeur d’Alene at Lewiston, 7 East Valley at West Valley, 7 Pullman at Clarkston, 7 Sandpoint at Lakeland, 7 Lakeside (ID) at Mullan, 7 St. Maries at Grangeville, 7 Bonners Ferry at Kellogg, 7 Timberlake at Priest River, 7 Newport at Medical Lake, 7 Riverside at Chewelah, 7 Freeman at Colville, 7 Lakeside (WA) at Deer Park, 7 Liberty at Lind-Ritzville/Sprague, 7 Tekoa-Rosalia at Davenport, 7 Wilbur-Creston vs. NW Chr.at Riverside, 7 Reardan at Springdale, 7 Colfax at Kettle Falls, 7 Republic at Northport, 7 Cusick at Selkirk, 7 Columbia at Odessa-Harrington, 7 Pateros at Almira/Coulee-Hartline, 7 Liberty Chr. at LaCrosse-Washtucna, 7 Garfield-Palouse at St. John-Endicott, 7 Touchet at Pomeroy, 7
Shadle QB Brett Rypien is a “must-see” for football fans. Clarkston at Priest River, 7 Pullman at Timberlake, 7 Soap Lake at Tri-Cities Prep, 7 Orofino at Asotin, 7 Mabton at DeSales, 7 Columbia at Curlew, 3 Almira/Coulee-Hartline at Cusick, 7 Inchelium at Wellpinit, 3 Northport at Harrington, 7 Republic at LaCrosse-Washtucna, 7 Noxon at at Wallace, 6:30 Lewis and Clark vs. Ferris at Albi, 7:30 Rogers vs. Mead at Albi, 5 North Central at University, 7 Mt. Spokane at Gonzaga Prep, 7 Lakeside (ID) at Kootenai, 7 Clark Fork at Mullan, 3 Deary at Timberline, 7 Lakeside (WA) at Newport, 7 Colville at Riverside, 7 Freeman at Chewelah, 7 Medical Lake at Deer Park, 7 Northwest Christian at Colfax, 7 Liberty at Kettle Falls, 7 Tekoa-Rosalia at Reardan, 7 Davenport at Springdale, 7 Wilbur-Creston at Lind-Ritzville/Spr., 7 Colton at Sunnyside Christian, 7 Dayton at Liberty Christian, 7 St. John-Endicott at Pomeroy, 7 Touchet at Garfield-Palouse, 7
Oct. 15 Mullan at Wallace JV, 6
Sept. 27
Oct. 16
Highland at Coeur d’Alene, 1:30
Rogers vs. Shadle Park at Albi, 7:15
Sept. 29
Oct. 17
Mullan at St. Regis,
Pullman at Lakeland, 7 Kootenai at Deary, 7 Clark Fork at Kendrick, 7 Lewis County at Lakeside (ID), 7 North Central vs. Mt. Spokane at Albi, 5 Ferris vs. Mead at Albi, 7:30 Lewis and Clark at University, 7 Central Valley at Gonzaga Prep, 7 Lewiston at Post Falls, 7 Lake City at Coeur d’Alene, 7 Clarkston at East Valley, 7 West Valley at Cheney, 7 Moscow at Sandpoint, 7 Timberlake at Kellogg, 7 Priest River at Bonners Ferry, 7 Lakeside (WA) at Riverside, 7 Colville at Newport, 7 Deer Park at Chewelah, 7 Medical Lake at Freeman, 7 Kettle Falls at Springdale, 6 Tekoa-Rosalia at Wilbur-Creston, 7 Northwest Christian at Liberty, 7 Davenport at Colfax, 7
Oct. 2 Lewis and Clark vs. N. Central at Albi, 7:15 Ferris vs. Mt. Spokane at Albi, 4:45
Hermiston at Coeur d’Alene, 7 Sandpoint at Lake City, 7 Moses Lake at Post Falls, 7 Lewiston at Moscow, 7 Wallace at Clark Fork, 7 Kootenai vs. Lewis County at Craigmont, 7 Timberline at Lakeside (ID), 7 Clarkston at Kellogg, 7 St. Maries at Priest River, 7 Lakeland at Timberlake, 7 Gonzaga Prep vs. Shadle Park at Albi, 5 University vs. Rogers at Albi, 7:30 Mead at Central Valley, 7 Cheney at East Valley, 7
T I C K E T S
@ 0 1 4
PORTLAND STATE
Oct. 9
Oct. 3
Sept. 20
Wellpinit at Waterville, 7
West Valley at Pullman, 7 Deer Park at Newport, 7 Medical Lake at Lakeside (WA), 7 Riverside at Freeman, 7 Chewelah at Colville, 7 Reardan at Wilbur-Creston, 7 Springdale at at Colfax, 7 Lind-Ritzville/Sprague vs. Northwest Christian at Riverside, 7 Kettle Falls at Tekoa-Rosalia, 7 Davenport at Liberty, 7 Selkirk at Northport, 7 Republic at Inchelium, 3 Cusick at Curlew, 7 Wellpinit at Entiat, 7 Columbia at Pateros, 7 Entiat at Almira/Coulee-Hartline, 7 Odessa-Harrington at Wellpinit, 7 LaCrosse-Washtucna at Touchet, 7 Colton at St. John-Endicott, 7 Garfield-Palouse at Liberty Christian, 7
O N
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CALIFORNIA
S A L E
Oct. 23 Shadle Park vs. North Central at Albi, 7:15 University vs. Mead at Albi, 4:45
Oct. 24 Wallace Superior (MT), 6 Eisenhower at West Valley, 7 Lethbridge at Sandpoint, 7 Deary at Lakeside (ID), 7 Rogers vs. Mt. Spokane at Albi, 5 Ferris at Central Valley, 7 G-Prep vs. Lewis and Clark at Albi, 7:30 Lake City at Lewiston, 7 Coeur d’Alene at Post Falls, 7 Cheney at Clarkston, 7 East Valley at Pullman, 7 Lakeland at Moscow, 7 Mullan at Kootenai, 7 Orofino at St. Maries, 7 Bonners Ferry at Timberlake, 7 Kellogg at Priest River, 7 Riverside at Medical Lake, 7 Chewelah at Newport, 7 Freeman at Lakeside (WA), 7 Colville at Deer Park, 7 Kettle Falls at Lind-Ritzville/Sprague, 7 Liberty at Wilbur-Creston, 7 Davenport vs. NW Chr. at Riverside, 7 Springdale at Tekoa-Rosalia, 7 Colfax at Reardan, 7 Selkirk at Republic, 7 Curlew at Northport, 7 Cusick at Inchelium, 3 Almira/Coulee-Hartline at Columbia, 3 Entiat at Odessa-Harrington, 7 Pateros at Wellpinit, 3 Liberty Christian at Colton, 7 LaCrosse-Washtucna at Sunnyside Chr., 7 Pomeroy at Garfield-Palouse, 7 Touchet at St. John-Endicott, 7
Oct. 30 Rogers vs. North Central at Albi, 4:45 Gonzaga Prep vs. Ferris at Albi, 7:15
Oct. 31 Clark Fork vs. Timberline at Plummer, 5 Shadle Park vs. Mt. Spokane at Albi, 7:30 Central Valley at University, 7 Mead vs. Lewis and Clark at Albi, 5 Clarkston at West Valley, 7 Pullman at Cheney, 7 Medical Lake at Chewelah, 7 Deer Park at Freeman, 7 Lakeside (WA) at Colville, 7 Newport at Riverside, 7 Lind-Ritzville/Sprague at Colfax, 7 Liberty at Tekoa-Rosalia, 7 Wilbur-Creston at Kettle Falls, 7 Northwest Christian at Springdale, 7 Reardan at Davenport, 7 Curlew at Selkirk, 7 Inchelium at Northport, 7 Republic at Cusick, 7 Odessa-Harrington at Almira/Coulee-Hartline, 7 Wellpinit at Columbia, 2:30 Garfield-Palouse at Sunnyside Christian, 7 LaCrosse-Wash. at St. John-Endicott, 7 Colton at Pomeroy, 7
Nov. 1 Lewis County at Mullan, 1
Nov. 6 Colton at Garfield-Palouse, 7 Sunnyside Christian at St. John-Endicott, 7 LaCrosse-Washtucna at Dayton, 7
N O W
g a m e s
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ARIZONA
!-*00-Go-Cougs | WSUCougars.com | #GoCougss Promotional support provided by S-R Media/The Spokesman-Review
Lind-Ritzville/Sprague at Reardan, 7 Curlew at Republic, 7 Northport at Cusick, 7 Inchelium at Selkirk, 7 Odessa-Harrington at Pateros, 7 Entiat at Columbia, 3 Wellpinit at Almira/Coulee-Hartline, 7 St. John-Endicott at Dayton, 7 Pomeroy at Lacrosse-Washtucna, 7 Colton at Touchet, 7
!1.! USC
!1.@9
WASHINGTON W WA SHINGTON
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THREE-PEAT A TALL TASK FOR BRONCOS to duke it out with LRS and Colfax for this year’s league crown. Colfax finished 6-5, 4-2 and lost to LRS in the By Chris Derrick chrisd@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5502 quarterfinals after opening with a victory over White Swan. “On any given night, Colfax, Ritzville Last season, the big question for the and Reardan are capable of beating each Lind-Ritzville/Sprague Broncos was other,” Reardan coach Eric Nikkola said. whether they could repeat as State 2B “Depth and turnovers will be the key to football champions. these games. Many people think that This season, the two-time defending LRS graduated a lot of talent. That may state champs must concern themselves be true, but I think they built a lot of with advancing out of the league. young talent over the past two years.” The expanded Northeast 2B League “This will be somewhat of a building should provide any state contender with year as we return only three starters enough challenges to prepare for a from both sides of the ball, but I fully postseason run. The league grew to 10 expect us to compete well in our league teams with the addition of and be in every game,” LRS coach Greg Wilbur-Creston, Kettle Falls and new cooperative Tekoa-Rosalia, resulting in a Whitmore said. “Many of these kids are ready to be ‘the guy’ at their position schedule without nonleague games. after waiting behind older kids the past The Broncos won the league title last season with a 6-0 mark and capped a 13-0 two years.” “(We) lost four seniors and played a lot season with a 7-0 victory over of young kids last year that are a year Morton-White Pass in the title game. Reardan (8-3, 5-1), which advanced to better in size and experience,” said Colfax coach Mike Morgan, who returns last year’s state quarterfinals after opening with a win over Oroville, figures 12 starters.
NORTHEAST 2B LEAGUE
Predicted finish order 1. Reardan 2. Colfax 3. LRS 4. Wilbur-Creston 5. Davenport
6. Kettle Falls 7. Liberty 8. NW Christian 9. Tekoa-Rosalia 10. Springdale
the playbook than we’ve added.” “If they are able to make the transition to 11-man football, they are going to make some noise,” Reardan’s Nikkola said. “Teams should not overlook them.”
New kid on block
The Tekoa-Oakesdale cooperative has been dissolved and replaced by Tekoa-Rosalia. The team, nicknamed the Timberwolves, is coached Wildcats ready for 11 by veteran Bob Bucsko, whose past stops Wilbur-Creston should make an immediate include Highland (1982-85), Blaine (1986-88), splash in the league after winning the 8-man Zillah (1989-90), Okanogan (1992-94) and Northeast 1B South last season and advancing to Lyle-Klickitat-Wishram (1995-97). the state quarterfinals. The Wildcats are loaded with returning firstImpact players team all-leaguers, including senior quarterback League coaches listed several impact players Trystan Rosman, who was named Most from rival teams, but those who received Valuable Player after throwing for 2,308 yards multiple nods were Northwest Christian junior and 40 touchdowns. The others are senior Alex QB David Olds, Davenport senior RB/LB Tom Putman, running back/defensive lineman; senior Wilkie, LRS senior strong safety/wide receiver Garet Townsend, offensive lineman/DL; junior Cort Ruzicka and LRS junior QB/DB Jacob Takota Epperson, OL; senior Nick Andersen, Saetre, who played WR last season. Wilkie was linebacker; and junior Dorian Jaeger, LB. named first-team all-league at both positions “Very little will change for us offensively, even last season. Ruzicka has changed positions, but with the move to 11-man,” Wildcats coach Darin was a first-team LB and punter, and Reppe said. “We’ve actually taken more out of second-team RB last season.
TYLER TJOMSLAND tylert@spokesman.com
Freeman’s experienced quarterback Preston Hoppman returns for his final season and will be working behind a quality offensive line.
State champs loaded FREEMAN HAS PIECES IN PLACE FOR ANOTHER RUN
NORTHEAST A LEAGUE By Chris Derrick chrisd@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5502
Freeman has caught the attention of local and statewide football fans. Now the Scotties are gaining prominence on a national scale. CBS MaxPreps has ranked Freeman at No. 25 in its preseason football poll of schools of 1,000 students or fewer. Trinity Christian Academy of Jacksonville, Florida, is ranked No. 1. Three-time defending State 2A champion Lynden is the highest-ranked Washington school at No. 3. Freeman won the State 1A title last season, capping a 14-0 season with a 31-13 victory over Mt. Baker. The Scotties return seven starters,
Predicted finish order 1. Freeman 2. Colville 3. Deer Park 4. Riverside
5. Lakeside 6. Medical Lake 7. Newport 8. Chewelah
including senior quarterback Preston Hoppman and senior running back/safety Markus Goldbach. Their offensive line may be their crowning glory with seniors Teigan Glidewell and Connor McVay, and juniors Payton Smetana and Ian Johnston. “Freeman’s O-line (is) as good as I have seen at our level,” Lakeside coach Brian Dunn said. Freeman coach Jim Wood lists his team’s strengths as an athletic line,
SOUTHEAST 1B R Thomas Clouse, tomc@spokesman.com
EXPECT ANOTHER SHOOTOUT FOR LEAGUE SUPREMACY For the first time in six years, Colton coach Clark Vinning will field an eight-man football team without one of his players named Straughan. The brothers Straughan, Josh and Jake, had roamed the gridiron for the Wildcats dating back to 2008. Josh is now playing for Stillman College, in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Jake, who graduated this spring, will play basketball at Idaho. “He was a great athlete,” Vinning said of Jake. “You can’t go into the season trying to replace him with one guy. We have to do some things a little differently to replace what he brought to the table.”
Chasing Touchet Colton, which also lost five other seniors, will have to reload to keep pace with league champion Touchet, which finished 6-1in the Southeast 1B league and went 12-1overall. The Indians lost the state championship to powerhouse Neah Bay. But Vinning noted that Touchet lost, by his
count, 10 seniors. “But I think they had 35 kids out.” St. John-Endicott coach Steve Selk agreed with Vinning, saying Touchet’s depth makes it a tough team to beat. “They have three or four team’s worth of players,” Selk said. “They will wear you out even if they don’t beat you with their starters.” Liberty Christian finished second with the exact same league record as Touchet and Colton at 6-1. The Patriots, located in Richland, finished 8-2 overall and they return most of their good players. “Last year, we ended up losing to Touchet, but we beat Liberty Christian,” Vinning said. “Then Liberty Christian beat Touchet. That’s how all three of us ended with one league loss. It came down to matchups on that one.”
Colton rebuilding Despite the loss of six good players, Vinning said he has returning talent in Carter Dahmen, who played receiver but will now replace Jake Straughan as quarterback for the team that lost to Rosalia in the quarterfinals at state.
experience at quarterback and running back, and above-average team speed and size. He’s concerned about replacing key defensive starters, especially at linebacker. “We should contend for the title,” Wood said. “(There are) question marks on key positions stepping up to the next level.” “Just look at Freeman’s roster and pick returning players from last year’s state championship team,” Chewelah coach Jim Fisk said. “All of his returning starters are impact players in our league.”
Strong newcomers The NEA has undergone a transformation from seven teams to eight. Kettle Falls exited the NEA, dropping to the 2B level, while Colville and Deer Park joined the league, moving down
Predicted finish order 1. Touchet 2. Liberty Chr. 3. Colton 4. Garfield-Pal.
5. St. John-End. 6. Pomeroy 7. Sunnyside Chr. 8. LaC.-Wash./Kah.
The Wildcats also return their entire starting offensive line in Luke Moore, Cody Meyer and Austin Staley. They will block for returning sophomore Grant Kinzler, who had more than 300 yards rushing as a freshman. But none appear to have the impact of the brothers Straughan. “At our level, you don’t see that level of talent all the time,” Vinning said. “But, it’s an opportunity for other kids to step up and do their thing.”
Pomeroy loaded Vinning said he expects an improved Pomeroy team. The Pirates finished 2-5 in league and 3-7 overall last year. “Pomeroy probably returns the most out of anybody in the league,” he said. “Their weakness will probably be their line. But all the skill positions are back.”
Scrappy Vikings Garfield-Palouse finished fourth in the league at 4-3 and posted a 4-6 overall record. They start fresh with first-year coach Willy Woltering.
from the 2A Great Northern League. Colville and Deer Park are expected to push Freeman for league supremacy. Freeman’s closest game last year was a 14-7 nonleague victory over Colville to open the season. “The league is awful tough with the addition of Colville and Deer Park, and the fact that Freeman, Riverside and Medical Lake are also loaded,” Lakeside’s Dunn said.
Obert anchors Stags Deer Park returns versatile senior Aaron Obert, a first-team, All-GNL offensive lineman and punter and second-team defensive lineman. Obert also placed third in the discus (167 feet, 1 inch) and sixth in the shot put (51-1) at last spring’s State 2A track and field meet.
Collins powers Riverside Riverside was the league’s other representative in the playoffs last year, losing to Royal in the first round. The Rams finished 5-1in league and 8-3 overall and return first-team, All-NEA running back Jacob Collins, a senior.
“I think we will be kind of scrappy,” Woltering said. “We don’t have many kids. But we have some decent seniors coming back.” The Vikings return a pair of junior tight ends in Wyatt Griner and Ian Neibergs. Woltering also gets back sophomore Mason Bates, who plays center and nose guard. Bates will play alongside linemen Mitch Jamison and Gabe Cocking. They will block for returning quarterback Hunter Woltering and running backs Cole Sanderson and Tyler Thurman. “Colton will be scrappy like us,” Woltering said. “They will be small and throw the ball all over the place.”
Senior laden Eagles St. John-Endicott has seven seniors returning on a team that went 1-6 in league and 3-7 overall. “I’d like to think we are looking pretty good,” coach Steve Selk said. “Last year we finished with three wins, which is three more than we had the year before.” Practice will determine the positions but junior Weston Whinery will start the season as quarterback. The Eagles get a new running back in senior transfer Jimmy Hollingshead. They join Jordan Morris, Skylar Smith, Rowdy Brown, Cole Crider, Dakota Gering and Wilson Lundberg, who will all be playing for positions. “We finished the season strong,” Selk said. “We are heavy on the experience end of it. I’m hoping that translates into having a good season.”
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www.NWPrepsNow.com NE 1B NORTH
PANTHERS STARTING WHERE THEY LEFT OFF By Thomas Clouse tomc@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5495
Cusick’s season ended with a humbling 80-28 loss to Neah Bay in the state quarterfinals, but they’ll get a chance at redemption when the Panthers open this season on Sept. 5 with the same Neah Bay. Cusick Coach Sonny Finley said the early schedule will be an good test for his team as he tries to unseat Republic as the champion of the Northeast 1B North in eight-man football. “We are getting there,� Finely said. “We’ve got a talented team this year.� Cusick actually had the league’s best overall record last year at 8-3, but the Panthers lost early to Republic. The Tigers then finished with a perfect league mark at 6-0, and they went 7-4 overall. “I imagine they are going to be tough this year,� Finely said of the Republic Tigers. “They return a lot of players and they are coached very well. Chris Burch does a great job with those boys.�
Call the Bluff Cusick returns Alec Bluff, a jack-of-all-offensive trades who missed last year because of injury. Finely said he will also return seniors Eli Peterson and Chad Browneagle. Also returning are juniors Spirit White and returning starting quarterback Tyson Shanholtzer. “I would say Republic would be the favorite,� Finley said. “But if we can avoid the injury bug, we should make a pretty deep run in the playoffs.� Finley said Curlew had a young roster last year and should improve on its fifth-place league finish. “I know their offensive line will probably be one of the biggest in the league,� Finley said of Curlew. “I imagine they will be a playoff-caliber team.� Republic coach Chris Burch agreed, saying Curlew could surprise some teams. As for the Tigers, they only lost one senior who was a starter. They return quarterback Aaron Fritts, twin brothers Angelo and Alex Rivera, Blake Phillips and Garrett Weller. He
Predicted finish order 1. Republic 2. Cusick 3. Selkirk
4. Curlew 5. Inchelium 6. Northport
also has a new player, Lucas Rittel, who Burch said he’s excited to see play. “Nobody has seen (Rittel) play, and he is an animal,� Burch said. “Our final game is at Cusick. If everythign goes to plan, I’m sure it will be for all the marbles.�
Selkirk baker’s dozen Selkirk coach Kelly Cain returns 13 lettermen to a team that finished third in the league at 4-2 and 6-5 overall. “That’s my neighbor,� Finley said of Cain. “We always treat our neighbors well. (Curlew tries) try to play a wide-open style offense. But, they just don’t’ have the speed for it.� Cain agreed with Finley, saying his team weakness is a “lack of speed.� He returns his son, senior Dominic Cain, at quarterback, who is a four-year starter. The younger Cain is among 11 returning juniors and seniors who return for the Rangers, located in Ione.
NE 1B SOUTH R Thomas Clouse, tomc@spokesman.com
LEAGUE SHAKEUP ASSURES NEW CHAMP WILL EMERGE Having lost league champion Wilbur-Creston to its ascension to 11-man football, the Northeast 1B South league welcomes two members from the north as several schools will now compete for the top spot. The league welcomes both Wellpinit from the Northeast 1B North last year. And, the eight-man football league also gets Columbia, which will play separate from Inchelium for the first time since 2009. “Hopefully, we’ll do better than last year,� Odessa-Harrington coach Bruce Todd said. “We only lost two seniors. And, one of those was a first-year player. So we have a lot more experience and depth.�
Clashes for the Titans
New Hornets coach Tim Hoffman said he’s excited to have Inchelium return to its roots. He played for the 2000 state championship team that also won it all in 2001. “We don’t have the crowds and the town support like we used to,� Hoffman said. “We just want to get back to the green and yellow.� Hoffman has four returning seniors, including quarterback/running back Quentin Holford, linemen Roger Finley and Tristan Seymour, and receiver/defensive back Edward Stensgar. “We have a bunch of sophomores and a couple freshmen,� he said. One sophomores is the coach’s little brother, Levi Hoffman. “I’m more nervous than excited,� Tim Hoffman said. “We’ll see how it works out in a couple weeks.�
The Titans return several seniors to the squad that finished second in the league behind Wilbur-Creston. Odessa-Harrington went 5-1 in league and 5-6 overall. Todd said he is moving Sam Schafer from quarterback to running back after Schafer won the state track title in the 100-meters. As a result, Todd will start former receiver Carsen Weber, a senior, at quarterback. “We wanted to get (Shafer) in the backfield where he can run the ball a little more,� Todd said. “Carsen Weber is one of our better leaders. He’s not that big, but he’s a good leader and he’s tough.� The Titans also return seniors Dakota Largent at receiver/linebacker; Steve Braun at running back/linebacker and Trevor King, who plays offensive line and defensive end. “I think we’ll be pretty decent,� Todd said. “Hopefully we can keep the kids healthy and make a better run this year.�
Northport to play
Entiat, Pateros’ eyes forward
Northport athletic director Erik Stark said he was unsure that coach Shane Fox would have enough players to field a team for the squad that went 0-10 last year. But Fox said he’s sure he’ll have enough. Twice last year the Mustangs fielded only nine healthy and eligible players for games. Returning are juniors Dillon Owing, a running back/linebacker, and Scott Baird, who plays on the line. “We are pretty much juniors and a few underclassmen,� Fox said. “We didn’t win a game, but we never had to forfeit.�
Todd said he expects tough competition from both Pateros and Entiat. They both “will give us good competition,� he said. “I think they will be solid.� Entiat went 3-3 in league last year and finished 7-4 overall. Pateros, which is still recovering from the devastating fires from earlier this summer, also went 3-3 in league and 6-4 overall. Brandon Walsh, coach of Almira/Coulee-Hartline, agreed with Todd that Pateros and Entiat will be difficult
Inchelium back to roots
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Predicted finish order 1. Odessa-Harrington 4. Pateros 2. Entiat 5. Columbia 3. Almira/Coulee-Hrt. 6. Wellpinit
opponents. “I think Entiat is going to be tough,� Walsh said. “And, I think Pateros will be good this year.� In addition to losing Wilbur-Creston, the league also lost Soap Lake and Waterville, which explains with the north-based teams Columbia and Wellpinit were added to balance the schedule.
ACH’s Thunder, Lightning Walsh’s team will be led by pair of underclassmen, highlighted by junior quarterback Dallas Isaak. “Dallas was a stud for us last year,� Walsh said. “We are also going to have sophomore running back Charlie Hunt. He’s a tough kid. He’s kind of the thunder to Dallas’ lightning.� The team, which Walsh said was young, also returns senior offensive lineman/linebacker Jacob Vogel. “We will have a bunch of sophomores contributing.� Walsh said. “I think we will be middle of the pack with some pretty good teams.� Walsh said he thinks Odessa-Harrington will probably be the class of the league. “I’d like to say we are going to be in the hunt for something,� he said. “But I’m just not sure. Our numbers are down a little bit.�
New members from North Walsh said his ACH team played Wellpinit last year but he doesn’t know what to expect from Columbia, which his located in Hunters. Last year, Wellpinit went 1-8 in league and 1-9 overall. “I think (Wellpinit) will be about like us, kind of average,� Walsh said. “They lost their best player. It will be interesting how they replace him.� Walsh wasn’t sure what to expect from the Columbia Timberwolves, which finished 3-3 in league and 5-5 overall when playing with Inchelium players. “I don’t know for sure which kid was a Columbia kid or who was an Inchelium kid,� he said. “However that works out will determine which team is better.�
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THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
www.NWPrepsNow.com
DAN PELLE danp@spokesman.com
All-league quarterback Connor Ramm, who also plays defensive back, is part of a very focused returning core of players for the East Valley Knights.
Expect crazy finish
RAMM, KNIGHTS DETERMINED TO BE LAST TEAM STANDING passes for 1,252 yards and 14 touchdowns to lead the Knights to the postseason. In his spare time, he started By Jim Allen jima@spokesman.com, (509) 459-5437 at defensive back. Another key performer for the Knights is senior lineman and fellow Ramm tough. That could be East Valley’s motto as it team captain Hunter Mullin, a two-way first-team all-GNL pick last year. “He’s a tries to defend its title in a smaller but very quiet kid but he does his job,” said more competitive Great Northern Fisher, now in his 14th year. League. Even with 11 returning starters, the “My guys are pretty focused, pretty Knights face a daunting task to repeat in driven, with a core group that’s very a league that looks even more determined.” said EV coach Adam Fisher, who led the Knights to 5-1 league competitive now that Colville and Deer record, 6-4 overall, and barely lost in the Park dropped to 1A. EV, West Valley, Pullman and Cheney all look capable of 2A playoffs to Othello, 25-20. taking the title. That attitude may be a reflection of “It’s any given Friday in this league,” quarterback Connor Ramm, a first-team said new Cheney coach Bobby Byrd, all-GNL performer who’s been in the recalling a four-way tie for the title in EV system since the sixth grade. 2012. That’s not so unusual, Fisher said, West Valley is the favorite partly unless you consider Ramm didn’t show because the Eagles return almost up with a football background; he just everyone. “They also have our number,” showed up – again and again. lamented Fisher, whose team suffered “I’ve never had anybody do that who isn’t a coach’s kid. He just wanted to be their only GNL loss to the Eagles, 39-26. “We need to match their energy there, and to see him become a senior level,” Fisher said. and such a great athlete, is pretty remarkable,” said Fisher, who added that the 6-foot-2, 195-pound Ramm Eagles after stronger finish might be a lineman today had he not Last year, West Valley had a playoff “worked himself into being a very good spot in its sights, but lost by six to quarterback.” Cheney and by three to Pullman in the Last year, Ramm completed 83 of 165 last two games of the season to finish
GREAT NORTHERN LEAGUE
Predicted finish order 1. West Valley 2. East Valley 3. Pullman
4. Cheney 5. Clarkston
3-3, 4-5. A veteran team should take that lesson to heart; coach Craig Whitney hopes to be back in the playoffs after a one-year absence thanks to the return of 21 starters. “Last year was one of those situations where we didn’t have many seniors that turned out, so we were able to get a lot of those underclassmen a lot of playing time,” Whitney said. Whitney said he likes his team’s overall speed, which begins with all-GNL wide receiver Tevin Duke, who also plays defensive back. “Tevin is a great kid, doesn’t say awhole lot, but he’ll do anyting you ask,” Whitney said. The Eagles also return 240-pound running back/defensive lineman Jace Malek. “He just benched 375 today, so he has a lot of tools,” Whitney said. Two other key returnees are all-league defensive back Alex Hall and quarterback/punter Austin Lee. “We’re very optimistic, but we have a
CENTRAL IDAHO
ST. MARIES OPTIMISTIC The three Central Idaho League teams are guaranteed state playoff berths in an expanded 16-team format this year. So St. Maries, 2-7 a year ago, is understandably jacked and the Lumberjacks have yet to play a game. There is incentive for the league champ, which stays home while the other teams travel in the first round. Whether St. Maries has enough to challenge perennial power Grangeville and Orofino remains to be seen. Senior Logan Feasline returns at quarterback. He started four games last year when his brother, Luke, tore an ACL. Senior Isaac Walters and junior Chase Trustcott both started at times at running back. “This team has a lot of potential,” coach Craig Teft said. “Like any team, depth is always a concern. Last year we had a promising start and then so many things went bad: injuries, athletic code violations and academic casualties. We’re excited right now.”
lot of work to do,” Whitney said.
Hounds look to Druffel, Petrino Pullman (4-2 GNL, 6-3) missed the playoffs last year largely because of a 52-36 shootout loss to the Knights. The Greyhounds lose GNL offensive MVP David Ungerer at running back, but return his backup, all-GNL second-teamer Sam Druffel. That puts even more on the capable shoulders of junior quarterback Mason Petrino – the son of Idaho coach Bobby Petrino, Jr. – who last year completed 85 of 141 passes (60.2 percent) for 1,310 yards and 11 scores.
Cheney’s Williams a big target The big news is the hiring of new coach Bobby Byrd, who takes the helm from Jason Williams, who resigned last winter. Byrd, a four-year starter on the offensive line at Washington State from 2004-7, inherits a team that went 3-3 in GNL play and 7-3 overall, and returns one of the most dominant players in the league in Keenan Williams. “He’s been rock-solid for us, a dominant blocker and a good threat at tight end,” Byrd said of Williams. A Division I college prospect, the 6-3 Williams was a first-team all-GNL pick at tight end and second-team as a defensive end. Another two-way all-star candidate is Ty Graham, a running back and safety.
Sizemore, Sperry lead Bantams Clarkston (0-6, 1-9) is coming off a last-place finish, but hopes to plug some holes with returning all-league lineman Hunter Sizemore, a junior; and senior wide receiver Trevor Sperry.
INDEPENDENT
White Star League predicted finish order 1. Deary 5. Kootenai
2. Kendrick 6. Lewis County
3. Clark Fork 7. Mullan
4. Lakeside 8. Timberlake
LEAGUES MERGE IN 8-MAN The North Star League is no more. The league’s four 1A Division I eight-man teams have combined with the four teams from the Whitepine League under a two-year agreement. Each league brings one state playoff berth to the table. The top two teams advance to the postseason. It’s a move that could back fire on the NSL teams. The Whitepine teams traditionally fare well in the playoffs and routinely have beaten NSL teams. Kootenai coach and athletic director Doug Napierela said the merger made sense. “Pretty much the small schools are getting smaller,” he said. “It makes scheduling easier. We should be competitive with each other.”
NSL teams down Napierela figures Whitepine powers Deary and Kendrick will be favored to capture the playoff berths. Turnouts are low among the NSL teams. Mullan, for example, is one injury away from seeing its season end. The Tigers have just eight athletes. “We’ll go as long as we can,” Mullan coach Stetson Spooner said. “It is what it is.” Kootenai has 13 and Clark Fork 14. “We graduated the largest senior class (28) we had since they were in kindergarten,” Napierela said. “That must have been a cold winter.” Kootenai also lost two returning all-league players. One moved and the other decided not to turn out. Of the 28, 10 were football players. Napierela has just one senior this fall. “We’ve always been able to go 8 on 8 in practice,” he said. “But not this year. The dynamics of our school has changed. We’re almost 2 to 1 girls to boys.” Of Mullan’s eight players, half are returning starters led by all-league quarterback T.J. Placencio. Clark Fork and Kootenai will start sophomores at quarterback.
Question marks Clark Fork coach Brian Arthun said the two leagues merging creates many unknowns. “This is a unique situation,” Arthun said. “In the past you knew what the teams in the league had coming back. Now it’s up in the air. Arthun has an idea how good the Whitepine teams could be. “Deary had a pretty good year last year and Kendrick has a great tradition with multiple state championships,” he said. “Kootenai, which has been our power, graduated a bunch. They’ll be back down to earth with the rest of us.” By Greg Lee
WALLACE GOING ALONE The 1A Division I Wallace Miners find themselves without a league this fall. They will play an independent schedule since the four 1A Division II North Star League teams essentially got tired of getting beat up by the Miners. So that left Wallace scrambling to fill a schedule. Coach Dave Rounds found three games against Montana schools – Noxon, Superior and St. Regis – and two against District II teams Lapwai and Potlatch. By state rule, independent teams must be given an opportunity to earn a state playoff berth. For Wallace, that will happen the final week of the regular season when it travels to the District II top seed. District II wanted Wallace to join its league. But Rounds was having nothing of it. “We were in their league one time and the travel was horrendous,” Rounds said. “It’s tough on players, parents and coaches.” Wallace (9-1 last year) returns its offensive line intact and junior tailback Mitch Millard. Junior Justin Bayer will start at quarterback. “We threw the ball well last year,” Rounds said. “We have an inexperienced quarterback. Teams will stack it up and try to stop our running game.”
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www.spokesman.com/sports AFC SCHEDULES
Nov. 9 at Seattle, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 16 San Francisco, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 Dallas-x, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 at Tennessee, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 Washington, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 at St. Louis, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 28 Philadelphia, 10 a.m.
Baltimore Ravens
Sept. 7 Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Sept. 11 Pittsburgh, 5:25 p.m. Sept. 21 at Cleveland, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 Carolina, 10 a.m. Oct. 5 at Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 Atlanta, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 at Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 at Pittsburgh-x, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9 Tennessee, 10 a.m. Nov. 16 BYE Nov. 24 at New Orleans, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30 San Diego, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 at Miami, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 at Houston, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 Cleveland, 10 a.m.
Philadelphia Eagles
Sept. 7 Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Sept. 15 at Indianapolis, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 21 Washington, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 at San Fran., 1:25 p.m. Oct. 5 St. Louis, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 N.Y. Giants-x, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 19 BYE Oct. 26 at Arizona, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 2 at Houston, 10 a.m. Nov. 10 Carolina, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 16 at Green Bay, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 Tennessee, 10 a.m. Nov. 27 at Dallas, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 7 Seattle, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 14 Dallas-x, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 20 at Wash., 1:30 or 5:15 p.m. Dec. 28 at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m.
Buffalo Bills
Sept. 7 at Chicago, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 Miami, 10 a.m. Sept. 21 San Diego, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 at Houston, 10 a.m. Oct. 5 at Detroit, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 New England, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 Minnesota, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 BYE Nov. 9 Kansas City, 10 a.m. Nov. 13 at Miami, 5:25 p.m. Nov. 23 N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Nov. 30 Cleveland, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 at Denver, 1:05 a.m. Dec. 14 Green Bay, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 at Oakland, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 28 at New England, 10 a.m.
St. Louis Rams
Associated Press
Coordinator Darrell Bevell, left, head coach Pete Carroll and QB Russell Wilson provide offensive braintrust for Seahawks.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS’ 2014-15 SEASON AT A GLANCE
Cincinnati Bengals
Sept. 7 at Baltimore, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 Atlanta, 10 a.m. Sept. 21 Tennessee, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 BYE Oct. 5 at New England-x, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 12 Carolina, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 at Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 Baltimore, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Nov. 6 Cleveland, 5:25 p.m. Nov. 16 at New Orleans, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 at Houston, 10 a.m. Nov. 30 at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 at Cleveland, 10 a.m. Dec. 22 Denver, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 28 at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m.
Sept. 7 Minnesota, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at Tampa Bay, 1:05 p.m. Sept. 21 Dallas, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 BYE Oct. 5 at Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Oct. 13 San Francisco, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 19 Seattle, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 at Kansas City, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 at San Francisco, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 9 at Arizona, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 16 Denver, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 at San Diego, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 30 Oakland, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 at Washington, 10 a.m. Dec. 11 Arizona, 5:25 p.m. Dec. 21 N.Y. Giants, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 28 at Seattle, 1:25 p.m.
2013-14 record: (16-3, Super Bowl champions); Strengths: Quarterback, running back, receiver, cornerback, safety, kicker; Weakness: Offensive line New faces: DT Kevin Williams, rookie WR Paul Richardson, T Justin Britt, T Eric Winston, rookie DE Cassius Marsh. Key losses: WR Golden Tate, T Breno Giacomini, G Paul McQuistan, DE Red Bryant, DE Chris Clemons, CB Walter Thurmond, T Michael Bowie. What’s New: Speed everywhere on offense. With Percy Harvin healthy, addition of rookie Richardson and expected addition of RB Christine Michael to game plan, Seattle possesses speed to stretch defenses to sideline but also vertically downfield. That speed element could be next transformation of scheme. Expectations: Seattle might be best positioned team to repeat as Super Bowl champs in 10 years since repeat was last accomplished by New England. Still young, still talented. And offseason losses through free agency have been mitigated by additions or young players who barely saw action last season during title run. QB Russell Wilson could set stage for massive offseason payday by leading Seattle to another Super Bowl trip. Secondary remains best in NFL and Seahawks insist there will be no backslide despite Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor all getting paid during past two offseasons.
San Francisco 49ers
Cleveland Browns
Sept. 7 at Pittsburgh, 10 p.m. Sept. 14 New Orleans, 10 p.m. Sept. 21 Baltimore, 10 p.m. Sept. 28 BYE Oct. 5 at Tennessee, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 at Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 Oakland, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 2 Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Nov. 6 at Cincinnati, 5:25 p.m. Nov. 16 Houston, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 at Atlanta, 10 a.m. Nov. 30 at Buffalo, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 at Carolina, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 at Baltimore, 10 a.m.
Denver Broncos
Sept. 7 Indianapolis, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 14 Kansas City, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 21 at Seattle, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 28 BYE Oct. 5 Arizona, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 12 at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 San Francisco-x, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 23 San Diego, 5:25 p.m. Nov. 2 at New England, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 9 at Oakland, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 16 at St. Louis, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 Miami, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 30 at Kansas City, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 Buffalo, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 14 at San Diego, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 22 at Cincinnati, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 28 Oakland, 1:25 p.m.
Houston Texans
Sept. 7 Washington, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at Oakland, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 21 at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 Buffalo, 10 a.m. Oct. 5 at Dallas, 10 a.m. Oct. 9 Indianapolis, 5:25 p.m. Oct. 20 at Pittsburgh, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at Tennessee, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Nov. 9 BYE Nov. 16 at Cleveland, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Nov. 30 Tennessee, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 at Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 at Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 Baltimore, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 Jacksonville, 10 a.m.
Indianapolis Colts
Sept. 7 at Denver, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 15 Philadelphia, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 Tennessee, 10 a.m. Oct. 5 Baltimore, 10 a.m.
Oct. 9 at Houston, 5:25 p.m. Oct. 19 Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 at Pittsburgh, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 3 at N.Y. Giants, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9 BYE Nov. 16 New England-x, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 23 Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Nov. 30 Washington, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 at Cleveland, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 Houston, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 at Dallas, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 28 at Tennessee, 10 a.m.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Sept. 7 at Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at Washington, 10 a.m. Sept. 21 Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 at San Diego, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 5 Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at Tennessee, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 Cleveland, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 Miami, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 at Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Nov. 9 Dallas (London), 10 a.m. Nov. 16 BYE Nov. 23 at Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Nov. 30 N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 Houston, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 at Baltimore, 10 a.m. Dec. 18 Tennessee, 5:25 p.m. Dec. 28 at Houston, 10 a.m.
Kansas City Chiefs
Sept. 7 Tennessee, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at Denver, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 21 at Miami, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 29 New England, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at San Francisco, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 12 BYE Oct. 19 at San Diego, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 26 St. Louis, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Nov. 9 at Buffalo, 10 a.m. Nov. 16 Seattle, 10 a.m. Nov. 20 at Oakland, 5:25 p.m. Nov. 30 Denver-x, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Arizona, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 14 Oakland, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 San Diego, 10 a.m.
Miami Dolphins
Sept. 7 New England, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at Buffalo, 10 a.m. Sept. 21 Kansas City, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 28 at Oakland (London), 10 a.m.
Oct. 5 BYE Oct. 12 Green Bay, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 at Chicago, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 at Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 San Diego, 10 a.m.
Nov. 9 at Detroit, 10 a.m. Nov. 13 Buffalo, 5:25 p.m. Nov. 23 at Denver, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 1 at N.Y. Jets, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 Baltimore, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 at New England, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 Minnesota, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m.
Dec. 7 San Francisco, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 14 at Kansas City, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 Buffalo, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 28 at Denver, 1:25 p.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Sept. 7 Cleveland, 10 a.m. Sept. 11 at Baltimore, 5:25 p.m. Sept. 21 at Carolina, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28 Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Oct. 5 at Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at Cleveland, 10 a.m. Oct. 20 Houston, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 26 Indianapolis, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 2 Baltimore-x, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 9 at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Nov. 17 at Tennessee, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 23 BYE Nov. 30 New Orleans, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 at Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 at Atlanta, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 Kansas City, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 Cincinnati, 10 a.m.
New England Patriots
Sept. 7 at Miami, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at Minnesota, 10 a.m. Sept. 21 Oakland, 10 a.m. Sept. 29 at Kansas City, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 5 Cincinnati-x, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Buffalo, 10 a.m. Oct. 16 N.Y. Jets, 5:25 p.m. Oct. 26 Chicago, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 Denver, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 9 BYE Nov. 16 at Indianapolis, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 23 Detroit, 10 a.m. Nov. 30 at Green Bay, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 7 at San Diego-x, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14 Miami, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 Buffalo, 10 a.m.
San Diego Chargers
Sept. 8 at Arizona, 7:20 p.m. Sept. 14 Seattle, 1:05 p.m. Sept. 21 at Buffalo, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 Jacksonville, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 5 N.Y. Jets, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 12 at Oakland, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 19 Kansas City, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 23 at Denver, 5:25 p.m. Nov. 2 at Miami, 10 a.m. Nov. 9 BYE Nov. 16 Oakland, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 23 St. Louis, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 30 at Baltimore, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 New England-x, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14 Denver, 1:05 p.m.
New York Jets
Sept. 7 Oakland, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at Green Bay, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 22 Chicago, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28 Detroit, 10 a.m. Oct. 5 at San Diego, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 12 Denver, 10 a.m. Oct. 16 at New England, 5:25 p.m. Oct. 26 Buffalo, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 at Kansas City, 10 a.m. Nov. 9 Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Nov. 16 BYE Nov. 23 at Buffalo, 10 a.m. Dec. 1 Miami, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Minnesota, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 at Tennessee, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 21 New England, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 at Miami, 10 a.m.
Dec. 20 at San Fran., 1:30 or 5:15 p.m.
Dec. 28 at Kansas City, 10 a.m.
Tennessee Titans
Sept. 7 at Kansas City, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 Dallas, 10 a.m. Sept. 21 at Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 at Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Oct. 5 Cleveland, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 at Washington, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 Houston, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 BYE Nov. 9 at Baltimore, 10 a.m. Nov. 17 Pittsburgh, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 23 at Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Nov. 30 at Houston, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 N.Y. Jets, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 18 at Jacksonville, 5:25 p.m. Dec. 28 Indianapolis, 10 a.m.
Oakland Raiders
Sept. 7 at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 Houston, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 21 at New England, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 Miami (London), 10 a.m. Oct. 5 BYE Oct. 12 San Diego, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 19 Arizona, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 26 at Cleveland, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 2 at Seattle, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 9 Denver, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 16 at San Diego, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 20 Kansas City, 5:25 p.m. Nov. 30 at St. Louis, 10 a.m.
NFC SCHEDULES Arizona Cardinals
Sept. 8 San Diego, 7:20 p.m. Sept. 14 at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m. Sept. 21 San Francisco, 1:05 p.m. Sept. 28 BYE Oct. 5 at Denver, 1:05 p.m. Oct. 12 Washington, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 19 at Oakland, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 26 Philadelphia, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 2 at Dallas, 10 a.m. Nov. 9 St. Louis, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 16 Detroit, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 23 at Seattle, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 30 at Atlanta, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 7 Kansas City, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 11 at St. Louis, 5:25 p.m. Dec. 21 Seattle-x, 530 p.m. Dec. 28 at San Francisco, 1:25 p.m.
Atlanta Falcons
Sept. 7 New Orleans, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Sept. 18 Tampa Bay, 5:25 p.m. Sept. 28 at Minnesota, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 5 at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 Chicago, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 at Baltimore, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 Detroit (London), 6:30 a.m. Nov. 2 BYE Nov. 9 at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Nov. 16 at Carolina, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 Cleveland, 10 a.m. Nov. 30 Arizona, 1:05 p.m. Dec. 8 at Green Bay, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14 Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 at New Orleans, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 Carolina, 10 a.m.
Carolina Panthers
Sept. 7 at Tampa Bay, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 14 Detroit, 10 a.m. Sept. 21 Pittsburgh, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28 at Baltimore, 10 a.m. Oct. 5 Chicago, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 at Green Bay, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 Seattle, 10 a.m. Oct. 30 New Orleans, 5:25 p.m. Nov. 10 at Philadelphia, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 16 Atlanta, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 BYE Nov. 30 at Minnesota, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 at New Orleans, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 Cleveland, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 at Atlanta, 10 a.m.
Chicago Bears
Sept. 7 Buffalo, 10 a.m.
Sept. 14 at San Fra., 5:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at N.Y. Jets, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 28 Green Bay, 10 a.m. Oct. 5 at Carolina, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at Atlanta, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 Miami, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 at New England, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 BYE Nov. 9 at Green Bay-x, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 16 Minnesota, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Nov. 27 at Detroit, 9:30 a.m. Dec. 4 Dallas, 5:25 p.m. Dec. 15 New Orleans, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21 Detroit, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 at Minnesota, 10 a.m.
Oct. 12 at Miami, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 Carolina, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 at New Orleans, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 2 BYE Nov. 9 Chicago-x, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 16 Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 at Minnesota, 10 a.m. Nov. 30 New England, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 8 Atlanta, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at Buffalo, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 Detroit, 10 a.m.
Minnesota Vikings
Sept. 7 at St. Louis, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 New England, 10 a.m. Sept. 21 at New Orleans, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 Atlanta, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 2 at Green Bay, 5:25 p.m. Oct. 12 Detroit, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 at Buffalo, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 Washington, 10 a.m. Nov. 9 BYE Nov. 16 at Chicago, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 Green Bay, 10 a.m. Nov. 30 Carolina, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 at Detroit, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 at Miami, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 Chicago, 10 a.m.
Dallas Cowboys
Sept. 7 San Francisco, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 14 at Tennessee, 10 a.m. Sept. 21 at St. Louis, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 New Orleans, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 5 Houston, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at Seattle, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 19 N.Y. Giants, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 27 Washington, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 2 Arizona, 10 a.m. Nov. 9 at J’ville (London), 10 a.m. Nov. 16 BYE Nov. 23 at N.Y. Giants, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 27 Philadelphia, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at Chicago, 5:25 p.m. Dec. 14 at Philadelphia, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21 Indianapolis, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 28 at Washington, 10 a.m.
Oct. 26 at Atlanta (London), 6:30 a.m.
Nov. 2 BYE Nov. 9 Miami, 10 a.m. Nov. 16 at Arizona, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 23 at New England, 10 a.m. Nov. 27 Chicago, 9:30 a.m. Dec. 7 Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 Minnesota, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 at Chicago, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 at Green Bay, 10 a.m.
Washington Redskins
New York Giants
Sept. 8 at Detroit, 4:10 p.m. Sept. 14 Arizona, 10 a.m. Sept. 21 Houston, 10 a.m. Sept. 25 at Washington, 5:25 p.m. Oct. 5 Atlanta, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at Philadelphia, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at Dallas, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 26 BYE Nov. 3 Indianapolis, 5:30 p.m.
Green Bay Packers
Sept. 4 at Seattle, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 14 N.Y. Jets, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 21 at Detroit, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 at Chicago, 10 a.m. Oct. 2 Minnesota, 5:25 p.m.
Sept. 4 Green Bay, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at San Diego, 1:05 p.m. Sept. 21 Denver, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 28 BYE Oct. 6 at Washington, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 12 Dallas, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 19 at St. Louis, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 at Carolina, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 Oakland, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 9 N.Y. Giants, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 16 at Kansas City, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 Arizona, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 27 at San Fran., 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Philadelphia, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 14 San Francisco, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 21 at Arizona-x, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 28 St. Louis, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 7 Carolina, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 14 St. Louis, 1:05 p.m. Sept. 18 at Atlanta, 5:25 p.m. Sept. 28 at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Oct. 5 at New Orleans, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 Baltimore, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 BYE Oct. 26 Minnesota, 10 a.m. Nov. 2 at Cleveland, 10 a.m. Nov. 9 Atlanta, 10 a.m. Nov. 16 at Washington, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 at Chicago, 10 a.m. Nov. 30 Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 at Detroit, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 at Carolina, 10 a.m. Dec. 21 Green Bay, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 New Orleans, 10 a.m.
Sept. 7 at Atlanta, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 at Cleveland, 10 a.m. Sept. 21 Minnesota, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 at Dallas, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 5 Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 BYE Oct. 19 at Detroit, 10 a.m. Oct. 26 Green Bay, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Carolina, 5:25 p.m. Nov. 9 San Francisco, 10 a.m. Nov. 16 Cincinnati, 10 a.m. Nov. 24 Baltimore, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30 at Pittsburgh, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 Carolina, 10 a.m. Dec. 15 at Chicago, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21 Atlanta, 10 a.m. Dec. 28 at Tampa Bay, 10 a.m.
Sept. 8 N.Y. Giants, 4:10 p.m. Sept. 14 at Carolina, 10 a.m. Sept. 21 Green Bay, 10 a.m. Sept. 28 at N.Y. Jets, 10 a.m. Oct. 5 Buffalo, 10 a.m. Oct. 12 at Minnesota, 10 a.m. Oct. 19 New Orleans, 10 a.m.
Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New Orleans Saints
Detroit Lions
Sept. 7 at Dallas, 1:25 p.m. Sept. 14 Chicago, 5:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at Arizona, 1:05 p.m. Sept. 28 Philadelphia, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 5 Kansas City, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 13 at St. Louis, 4:30 p.m. Oct. 19 at Denver-x, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 26 BYE Nov. 2 St. Louis, 1:05 p.m. Nov. 9 at New Orleans, 10 a.m. Nov. 16 at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 Washington, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 27 Seattle, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at Oakland, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 14 at Seattle, 1:25 p.m. Dec. 20 San Diego, 1:30 or 5:15 p.m. Dec. 28 Arizona, 1:25 p.m.
Sept. 7 at Houston, 10 a.m. Sept. 14 Jacksonville, 10 a.m. Sept. 21 at Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Sept. 25 N.Y. Giants, 5:25 p.m. Oct. 6 Seattle, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 12 at Arizona, 1:25 p.m. Oct. 19 Tennessee, 10 a.m. Oct. 27 at Dallas, 5:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at Minnesota, 10 a.m. Nov. 9 BYE Nov. 16 Tampa Bay, 10 a.m. Nov. 23 at San Francisco, 1:25 p.m. Nov. 30 at Indianapolis, 10 a.m. Dec. 7 St. Louis, 10 a.m. Dec. 14 at N.Y. Giants, 10 a.m. Dec. 20 Philly, 1:30 or 5:15 p.m. Dec. 28 Dallas, 10 a.m.
N IN OT A AN V Y AIL ST AB OR LE E!
Celebrate your First-Time Super Bowl Champions!
Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl Express
An illuminated real working HO-scale electric train collection officially licensed by NFL Properties LLC & NFL PLAYERS
Shipment Three Dome Car and FREE Power Pack & Speed Controller
Shipment Two Engine with FREE 16-pieceTrack Set
Shipment One Diesel Locomotive
The Super Bowl XLVIII Champions Car— Shipment Four in the train collection—features fullysculpted team helmets, Seahawks logos & colors, the official Super Bowl XLVIII logo, game date, and final score to commemorate the Seahawks victory! In Super Bowl XLVIII, Seattle proved that ”Offense may win games, but defense wins championships” as their #1 ranked defense dominated the favored Broncos to claim their FIRST Super Bowl title! And now, as the true undisputed champions of the NFL, Seahawks fans have the bragging rights of being #1 and they also have this classic, commemorative train to prove it ... the Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl Express! This real working electric train is boldly decorated with the colors and symbols of your Seahawks plus fullcolor art of players in action from the rookies to the tried-and-true veterans! Masterfully crafted with a solid metal chassis and steel alloy wheels, this heirloom-quality train will bring you years and years of enjoyment and Seahawks pride!
Fine collectible. Not intended for children under 14.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO RUN YOUR TRAIN!
PLAYERS—with the Diesel Locomotive, yours for three easy payments of $25.00*, the first billed before shipment. Subsequent cars— each billed separately at the same attractive price—and FREE tracks, power-pack & speed controller will be sent about every other month. You may cancel at any time and our best-in-the-business 365-day guarantee assures your satisfaction.
A Must-Have for Seahawks Fans that’s Not Available in Any Store. Act now! Internet demand has already exceeded expectations. To order yours, send no money now. Just complete and mail the Reservation Application today!
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To Order Yours, Call Toll-Free Any Time, 1-800-772-4277. www.bradfordexchange.com/SeahawksTrain
Begin your train collection—officially licensed by NFL Properties LLC and NFL
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16-piece track set— creates a 56” x 38” oval— power-pack & speed controller— a $100 Value!
FREE Tracks, Power-pack & Speed Controller Included—$100 Value! 9210 N. MARYLAND ST., NILES, IL 60714-1322
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SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: COACH PETE CARROLL 2013 RECORD: 14-2
PLAYERS TO WATCH MARSHAWN LYNCH RUNNING BACK: Workhorse ran for 1,257 yards and 12 touchdowns and caught 36 passes for 316 yards and two scores.
PERCY HARVIN RECEIVER: Pro Bowler missed most of last season, but was healthy for a spectacular appearance in the Super Bowl.
KAM CHANCELLOR SAFETY: Recorded 99 tackles last season and set the tone early in Super Bowl with a big hit on Denver’s Demaryius Thomas. PICTURED AT RIGHT: In 2013, Russell Wilson threw for 3,357 yards for the Super Bowl winning Seahawks.
RUSSELL WILSON QUARTERBACK
OAKLAND RAIDERS
11 . 2
10 A.M. (FOX)
@CAROLINA PANTHERS
10 . 2 6
10 A.M. (FOX)
@ST. LOUIS RAMS
10 .19
1:25 P.M. (FOX)
DALLAS COWBOYS
10 .12
5:30 P.M. (ESPN)
@WASHINGTON REDSKINS
10 . 6
1:25 P.M. (CBS)
DENVER BRONCOS
9 . 21
1:05 P.M. (FOX)
@SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
9 .14
5:30 P.M. (NBC)
GREEN BAY PACKERS
9.4
1:25 P.M. (FOX)
ST. LOUIS RAMS
12 . 2 8
5:30 P.M. (NBC)
@ARIZONA CARDINALS
12 . 21
1:25 P.M., (FOX)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
12 .14
1:25 P.M. (FOX)
@PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
12 . 7
5:30 P.M. (NBC)
@SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
11 . 2 7
1:05 P.M. (FOX)
PHOENIX CARDINALS
11 . 2 3
10 A.M. (FOX)
@KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
11 . 1 6
1:25 P.M. (FOX)
NEW YORK GIANTS
11 . 9
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS
1:25 P.M. (CBS)
STAFF GRAPHIC BY RALPH WALTER
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THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
AUGUST 28, 2014
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Associated Press
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman made the big play against San Francisco’s Michael Crabtree to propel the Seahawks into the Super Bowl.
Tip goes to Seattle VAUNTED DIVISION SHOULD PRODUCE SUPER BOWL CONTENDER By Tim Booth
Seahawks elite involved locking up All-Pros cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Earl Thomas, plus receiver Doug Baldwin to contract extensions, SEATTLE – Forget about the NFC Worst. Last year proved the NFC West re-signing DE Michael Bennett, and never resting on what happened last is the deepest division in the NFL. season. The Seahawks also avoided a Whether it was San Francisco and contract dispute with RB Marshawn Seattle, the league’s best rivalry, Lynch and have seen glimpses of the meeting in the NFC championship punch a healthy WR Percy Harvin game, or the Seahawks posting the could add to their offense. most lopsided Super Bowl victory in Their defense might not two decades by routing match the suffocating numbers Denver, the profile of the COMING UP Sept. 4: posted a year ago, but if NFC West is drastically Green Bay at quarterback Russell Wilson different from a few years Seattle, 5:30 p.m. and the offense continues to ago. evolve the Seahawks might not NFC West depth goes need the best defense to remain atop beyond just the Seahawks. The four the division. teams combined to go 42-22 a year “If you’re going to have a good team ago, the best of any division, and could you’re going to have to deal with these be that good again. guys and these good teams, so that’s There are concerns for each team what we’re faced with,” Carroll said. entering 2014. St. Louis must replace “Whoever comes out on top of the quarterback Sam Bradford, who will miss his second straight season due to division is really going to be ready to play anybody.” injury. Arizona must replace linebackers Daryl Washington and Karlos Dansby, and defensive tackle Last exit Darnell Dockett. San Francisco will Just off Highway 101, the 49ers play at least half the season without move into their new palatial home this All-Pro linebacker NaVorro Bowman. season – Levi’s Stadium – replacing And Seattle must deal with the the outdated Candlestick Park, and attention and scrutiny that comes with trying to regain their perch atop the being the defending champ. division. “They’re good, they’re the defending QB Colin Kaepernick is locked up champs. They’re in our division, long-term and he will have tight end there’s a lot of motivation there,” San Vernon Davis, WRs Michael Crabtree, Francisco’s Justin Smith said. Anquan Boldin and Stevie Johnson as Here are some things to watch in targets all season. Frank Gore and the NFC West: rookie Carlos Hyde will be the featured backs of an offense that again will rely heavily on the run. Crown of thorns Defensively there are more Seattle has never been a champion. concerns. The secondary has been But Pete Carroll has. completely remodeled since the His blueprint for keeping the Associated Press
depend on Bradford’s replacement. Fisher wouldn’t rule out a trade possibility to replace Bradford, but said everyone at Rams Park must quickly become accustomed to the 34-year-old Shaun Hill running the offense. “We’re going to move forward, we’re not going to change anything,” Fisher said. “We have to move on and Shaun’s the guy.” St. Louis has a dominant front four on defense with Chris Long, Robert Quinn, Michael Brockers and the addition of rookie Aaron Donald. But the secondary must improve.
Big wave Associated Press
San Francisco 49ers’quarterback Colin Kaepernick has a long-term deal and the offensive weapons to bring team back to Super Bowl.
Predicted finish order 1. Seahawks 2. 49ers
3. Rams 4. Cardinals
Niners’ Super Bowl appearance two seasons ago. Bowman likely won’t be back until at least midseason after a gruesome knee injury in the NFC championship game and there is no clarity on any discipline LB Aldon Smith may face for off-field troubles. “For us, we have been close. We did go one year. That’s not good enough, we want to bring it home,” linebacker Patrick Willis said.
Man of the hour The defense Jeff Fisher has built in St. Louis is impressive. Whether the Rams can jump into contention
Arizona was one of the hottest teams at the end of last season after finally clicking under coach Bruce Arians, winning seven of its final nine. The Cardinals also hold the distinction of being the only team to win in Seattle since 2011 after knocking off the Seahawks in Week 16. Quarterback Carson Palmer has another year in Arians’ system and Larry Fitzgerald remains an elite pass catcher. Andre Ellington established himself as Arizona’s leading rusher with 652 yards and three touchdowns his rookie season. But the Cardinals are struggling to replace Dansby and Washington, and Dockett tearing his ACL is another significant loss. The secondary could be second best in the NFC behind Seattle thanks to incumbent CB Patrick Peterson and the additions of Antonio Cromartie and rookie Deone Bucannon. “I really like the way our team battled through the second half of the season,” Arians said. “It makes this one more important and easier to get started.”
Associated Press photos
Above: St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has plenty to be agitated about after losing starting quarterback Sam Bradford for the second straight season, but he has a defense that could dominate. Left: Elite cornerback Patrick Peterson leads a secondary in Arizona that may only take a backseat to the Legion of Boom in Seattle.
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AUGUST 28, 2014
THE SPOKESMAN-REVIEW
WHERE WATCHING SPORTS IS A SPORT.