Site for CWU-EWU still uncertain

CHENEY, Wash. — Central Washington is listed as the second game on Eastern Washington’s tentative 2010 football schedule, but the site for the Sept. 11 game remains open.

The Wildcats and Eagles will meet either at EWU’s Woodward Field or in Seattle’s Qwest Field.

It will be the third game for Central, which opens at home on Aug. 28 against Minnesota Duluth and then travels to Dixie State on Sept. 4.

Eastern opens Sept. 2 at Nevada.

CWU, EWU eyeing Qwest for September football game

YAKIMA, Wash. — While the color of the turf has yet to be determined, Central Washington will meet Eastern Washington on Sept. 11 in what officials at both schools hope will become an annual non-conference matchup at Seattle’s Qwest Field.

The Wildcats and Eagles, once NAIA rivals in the old Evergreen Conference, will meet either at Qwest, home of the Seahawks and Sounders, or Woodward Field in Cheney.

Both sides seemed to prefer Seattle, where CWU had substantial success against Western Washington, both on the field and otherwise, before the Vikings dropped football after the 2008 season.

“We’re playing Eastern,” Central athletic director Jack Bishop said Tuesday. “We have some final items to take care of concerning the site, which has yet to be determined.”

Coach Blaine Bennett, meanwhile, said of Qwest, “That’s certainly the rumor, and we’re very excited about it. I don’t think the game will be called the Battle in Seattle, since we have a contract with Western Oregon to play that game in Seattle one more year.

“I think both administrations are on board (with playing at Qwest) and both coaches are on board. Central Washington-Eastern Washington should be the annual game played in Qwest, in my opinion.”

Six Central-Western games in Seattle averaged 12,392 fans. Western Oregon replaced WWU as last year’s opponent, and the game attracted only 5,374 on Oct. 17. Bishop had termed 5,000 as an approximate break-even number, financially.

Two weeks later, Eastern, coached by former Central quarterback and head man Beau Baldwin, met Portland State before 6,124, also at Qwest.

The Eagles, now of the Big Sky Conference and a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly NCAA Division I-AA) member, plan to have red turf installed at Woodward thanks to a $500,000 contribution from ex-Eagle and Tennessee Titan Michael Roos.

Asked if the new turf would be ready if Central came to Cheney, Eastern sports information director Dave Cook said, “That would be the plan. We play Montana the week after.”

Cook said details regarding a Central-Eastern game in Seattle remain to be finalized, but described the Eagles experience at Qwest last year as positive despite the low attendance.

“We didn’t have a great fan base,” he said, “but it was a great thing for the players and coaching staff. They thoroughly enjoyed it.”

Eastern finished 8-4 last season and reached the FCS playoffs, where it lost 44-33 to Stephen F. Austin. Central made its third consecutive Division II playoff appearance, reaching the quarterfinals before falling 21-20 to eventual champion Northwest Missouri State to finish 12-1.

 

Far from a starter, Reilly has a start

YAKIMA, Wash. — He has gotten his foot in the door, if not on the playing field.

But then Mike Reilly has been down this competitive road before, and has been undeterred by such speed bumps.

“No playing time yet,” the former Central Washington quarterback said of his first NFL season, which consisted of three weeks as a Green Bay practice squad member and four on the St. Louis active roster. “But I spent four weeks with the Rams learning the offense and taking on the role of emergency backup. So at least I was suited up and standing on the sidelines, ready to go in.”

Reilly and his wife, Jessica, had recently returned to their home in Kennewick when contacted by yours truly. Their 1,900-mile drive had been complicated by harsh conditions in the Midwest — “there were maybe 125 to 150 cars off the road and there were semis upside down in the medians,” Reilly reported — and his football year had been an emotional roller coaster.

It started on a down note when Reilly wasn’t chosen in April’s NFL draft, but reversed itself when he was signed as a free agent by defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh.

Reilly was cut by the Steelers just prior to the start of the regular season, however, and returned to Kennewick where he put his CWU engineering degree to work.

He and Jessica bought a house, and while Reilly settled into something of a 9-to-5 routine, he continued to work out, wait and hope.

In November, the Packers called and signed him to their practice squad. And while he wasn’t an active member of the team, he at least was in an NFL camp. Then the Rams, whose quarterback ranks had been thinned by injuries to starter Marc Bulger and backup Kyle Boller, signed Reilly to their active roster.

That meant wearing a uniform on game day. It also meant substantially more money, from the $5,200 (with no benefits) practice players earn weekly to approximately $18,000 as a full-fledged roster member.

So for his seven weeks as an NFL player, including three as a practice squad member, Reilly banked close to $90,000, according to the league’s pay schedule.

He is also signed through the 2010 season, for which the minimum NFL salary will be $325,000.

So the move from Washington State, where Reilly became convinced he would not get to play, to Central, where he started every game for four years, turned out golden.

It’s true that the Rams were abysmal, finishing 1-15, but from such rubble can be found opportunity for a comparative unknown like Reilly.

“When a team goes 1-15, there are obviously issues and you figure there will be a lot of changes during the offseason,” he said. “From what I’ve heard from my agent, and some other people, the GM (Billy Devaney) is pretty high on me. That they signed me through 2010 shows they hopefully have some sort of plan for me.”

And if the Rams don’t have a plan for him, Reilly does for them.

“My thing is to go out and win the starting job for next year,” he said, “and that should always been your approach whether you’re a freshman in high school or a senior in college or whatever.”

Now that he has a functional grasp of the West Coast offense deployed by St. Louis coach Steve Spagnuolo — and also by Green Bay’s Mike McCarthy — Reilly figures he’s worth more.

“The reason Brett Favre was able to come to Minnesota in the middle of training camp and take over is because the Vikings run the West Coast offense,” he said. “A lot of teams run it. So if you know it, it makes you more valuable as a quarterback.”

And even if Reilly has yet to take his first NFL snap, his seven-week career has enriched him personally.

“In Green Bay, to be on the sideline in Lambeau (Field) and see the crowd and watch guys do the Lambeau leap — that was great,” he said. “And to be in St. Louis, to suit up and wear the jersey and pads and go through pregame warmups knowing, OK, if something happens, I’m going to go in the game.

“It was good to get that feeling back. It had been awhile.”

And for Mike Reilly, maybe the next such period will not last nearly as long.

Cadet Players Take the Next Step

Eisenhower trio make college football plans official ||

YAKIMA, Wash. — And to think there were so many questions, some uncomfortably pressing.

How would Seth Kline’s left knee hold up, especially under the strain of added pass coverage?

Can Ryan Watson handle a majority of the pass rush with Kline dropping into coverage more?

And who, exactly, is Joe Fuerst and what can he do?

 

Those heavy concerns drifted through the first days of Eisenhower’s football season last August, but on Wednesday afternoon in a crowded room filled with family and friends they were memories to smile and laugh about.

 

Kline, Watson and Fuerst — key contributors to the Cadets’ school-record 11 victories and trip to the state quarterfinals — sat side-by-side while signing letters of intent for colleges in three different states. Kline inked with Air Force, Watson with Eastern Oregon and Fuerst with Central Washington.

For Kline, this day was inevitable. The three-year standout linebacker built serious credentials and had an offer from Air Force before the season even started. The only two possible snags he addressed — the knee that was injured twice before held up just fine and he showed more versatility in pass coverage.

“They were happy with my progress,” Kline said of Air Force, where he commits five years of military service after college graduation. “They thought I was a little raw in pass coverage after my junior year, but I did a lot more of that last season. I’ll admit I missed blitzing all the time, but I enjoyed the complexity of the coverages.”

Watson excelled at defensive end, rising from CBBN Cascade honorable mention as a junior to unanimous first-team and co-MVP of the division. He may stay at that position at Eastern Oregon, an NAIA college, or move to outside linebacker.

“I could play either position,” said Watson, currently a double-digit scorer on the basketball team. “This spring and summer I want to get my speed up and get up to around 220 pounds. With basketball now I’m down to 205. I’m really looking forward to getting ready.”

Fuerst, who moved in from West Valley, had plenty of work to do on the recruiting trail and little time to do it. As a running back his junior numbers were modest at best.

But over 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns at the 4A level can make a good impression.

“It all fell into place for me. I was very lucky,” said Fuerst, who averaged nearly seven yards a carry. “I had this year to prove myself and we had a great season. The timing was perfect.”

It was a fitting departing moment for the trio, which made a haul with Cascade Division awards. Fuerst and Watson shared the overall MVP honor and Kline was named defensive MVP.

“At the start of the season it was kind of hard to tell how good we’d be,” Kline said. “But it seemed like game by game we just got better and better.”

Bennett Touts ‘Best’ Class

YAKIMA, Wash. — The rich get richer — at least on paper.

When it comes to college recruiting, there are no guarantees, but there is plenty of potential. On that latter front, Central Washington University’s football program came up big Wednesday, according to head coach Blaine Bennett.

Twenty six high school seniors — all but one from Washington state — signed letters of intent to play for Central, with Bennett calling the group “without question … our best class” in his three seasons at the helm.

“Our staff did a great job evaluating the state of Washington and we got our top guys at each position,” Bennett said of the group that includes Ellensburg quarterback Ethan Sterkel and Eisenhower running back Joe Fuerst. “We’re excited all the way across board on both sides of the ball.”

Bennett’s enthusiasm starts with the three quarterbacks who selected Central, including hometown product Sterkel.

The others are Austin Dodge from Skyview High in Vancouver, who turned down an offer from Montana State, and J.R. Grosshans from Peninsula High in Gig Harbor.

“We’re very excited about all three. I think they each bring something different,” he said. “I think all three are intelligent.”

Of Sterkel, who also plans to play baseball, Bennett said the 6-foot-3, 205-pounder “has great leadership and great knowledge of the spread offense we run.”

Last fall, Sterkel, the CWAC offensive MVP, was 235-for-309 for 3,671 yards with 38 touchdowns to just five interceptions in leading Ellensburg to a 12-1 record and the Class 2A state semifinals. He finished with 7,149 passing yards and 75 touchdowns.

After the quarterbacks, Bennett said he was most impressed with the six players filling the running back-linebacker mold, a group that includes Fuerst (see related story).

“We’re excited Joe Fuerst signed with us,” Bennett said. “We feel he will be an excellent running back.”

And the quality didn’t stop at those spots.

Of Central’s 26 signees, 10 were named White Chip prospects by The Seattle Times, including Fuerst, putting them among the state’s top 100 seniors.

Along with Fuerst, and Dodge, that group includes receivers Jason Bates from Ferris and Christian Wesley from Central Kitsap; running back-defensive back Sean Coley from Bellevue, linebackers Anthony DeMatteo from Skyline and David Eargle from Clover Park; defensive back Cole Graves from Juanita, defensive lineman Martin Smitherman from Lakes, and running back Teddy Cotton from Lakes.

Bennett said they put an emphasis on athletic ability rather than trying to fill specific needs.

“We play at a high level and it’s hard for a freshman to come in and play at that level,” Bennett said, noting that last season’s entire freshman class was redshirted. “If you look top to bottom, this is a great group of athletes who can play multiple positions.

“With this group, I think all 26 can play at Central, and that we can win a championship with this group.”

Bennett’s son signs with Central

YAKIMA, Wash. — Central Washington may have signed only one out-of-state player among its 26 recruits, but the wide receiver from Indiana has a pretty good in-state connection — and some familiarity with his soon-to-be Wildcat head coach.

Blaine John Bennett, you see, is the son of Central head man Blaine Bennett.

“Selfishly, I’m very excited,” said the elder Bennett, noting that he had a chance to play for his father, Shorty Bennett.

Bennett was quick to point out that his son didn’t get a family discount.

“First, he has to be good enough to play for Central, and I think he is,” Bennett said of the 5-foot-9, 175-pound receiver-punt returner. “Then, he had to choose Central. He had a lot of options. For him to select Central was gratifying.”

2010 CWU Football Signees

CENTRAL WASHINGTON SIGNEES

Player Pos. Ht. Wt. HS Jason Bates WR 6-4 185 Ferris Blaine J. Bennett WR 5-9 175 Harrison (Ind.) Sean Coley DB 5-9 175 Bellevue Darrian Creamer LB 6-1 205 Peninsula Teddy Cotton RB 5-11 190 Lakes Julian Cruell RB 5-8 179 Foss Anthony DeMatteo LB 6-0 210 Skyline Austin Dodge QB 6-2 205 Skyview David Eargle LB 6-1 215 Clover Park Travis Erb DL 6-3 235 Yelm Joe Fuerst RB 5-11 195 Eisenhower Cole Graves DB 5-11 191 Juanita Marshall Green OL 6-5 310 Black Hills Alex Griffith DL 6-2 260 Sumner J.R. Grosshans QB 6-1 180 Peninsula Leon La Deaux IV WR 6-3 188 South Kitsap Shey Patton LB 5-9 231 Spanaway Lake Tyler Rogers DB 5-11 175 Lakes Nick Rouser OL 6-5 240 Oak Harbor Saipele Siafuafu DL 6-1 264 Kent-Meridian Martin Smitherman DL 6-1 215 Lakes Jake Steelhammer DL 6-3 215 Chehalis Ethan Sterkel QB 6-3 205 Ellensburg Levi Taylor DB 6-1 195 Lewis and Clark Christian Wesley WR 6-4 210 Central Kitsap Tyler Wright DB 5-11 180 Kentlake

Wood leads CWU honorees

ELLENSBURG — Senior linebacker Buddy Wood has been selected to the D2Football.com All-America first team.

Fellow linebacker Prince Hall was named to the second team while wide receiver Johnny Spevak, offensive tackle Tony Quirk and placekicker Garrett Rolsma received honorable mention. All are seniors.

Running back Joique Bell of Wayne State (Mich.) was voted offensive player of the year, linebacker Mike Johnson of North Alabama was defensive player of the year and Mel Tjeerdsma of national champion Northwest Missouri State was coach of the year.

CWU trio on all-star team

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Central Washington’s Buddy Wood, Johnny Spevak and Eugene Germany have been named to the Football Gazette Division II regional all-star first team while three of their teammates made the second team.

Wood was a first-team selection at linebacker and was joined by Spevak at wide receiver and Germany at defensive tackle.

Running back Randall Eldridge, offensive tackle Tony Quirk and placekicker Garrett Rolsma were on the second team.

All six Wildcats are seniors.

Rolsma, Spevak shine in Cactus Bowl

KINGSVILLE, Texas — Central Washington’s Garrett Rolsma kicked three field goals and Wildcats teammate Johnny Spevak caught five passes as the West beat the East 16-0 in the Valero Cactus Bowl on Friday night.

Rolsma, CWU’s career scoring leader, booted field goals of 48, 34 and 40 yards and also kicked the extra point following his team’s lone touchdown.

His 48-yard 3-pointer was the longest of his college career, besting a 47-yard boot from this past season, and was also record for the Division II all-star game.

Spevak’s receptions covered 37 yards, third most in the contest. Spevak was also Rolsma’s holder during their days at Central, although a press release from the bowl game didn’t indicate whether he served in that capacity Friday night.

Both players were instrumental in Central’s 12-1 record and advancement to the Division II quarterfinals last season.

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