Some might think that the challenges facing John Tully and the Whitworth College football coaching staff in 2004 are too daunting. After all, the Pirates are coming off of a 4-6 season, their first losing record since 1997. And he must replace six starters on offense and seven starters on defense.
Tully, however, believes his team is ready and capable of again being a factor in the chase for the Northwest Conference football title in 2004.

"We have guys who have been waiting in the wings for their chance and they are ready," said Tully, entering his tenth season as Whitworth's head football coach. "The players' attitudes are exceptional and their work ethic has matched their attitude."

Not only will Tully have to adjust to changes in his team, he is also adjusting to significant changes to his staff for the first time in eight years. Chris Casey has moved on as Whitworth's defensive coordinator to take over the head coaching position at Aloha High School in Oregon. Kirk Westre, the team's offensive coordinator for six years and offensive line coach for nine, will move to defensive coordinator with primary responsibility for linebackers. Jerry McCullough, the defensive line coach for eight years, will move to the offensive line. Newcomers Dave Pomante (defensive line) and Alan Stanfield (defensive backs) will join the staff for the first time.

"Our coaches are excited about the changes and challenges this season," said Tully. "We will work very well together, both offensively and defensively."

The Pirates will play a challenging and unprecedented schedule in 2004. Not only will Whitworth have to face the traditionally tough task of playing NWC powers like Linfield, Pacific Lutheran and Willamette, the Pirates will also have a tough non-conference slate as well. For the first time Whitworth will fly to California three times in one season, taking on SCIAC favorite Redlands (Sept. 11) and NCAA playoff contender Menlo (Oct. 23), as well as La Verne (Sept. 18). In addition, Whitworth will play a vastly improved Eastern Oregon team (Oct. 2) that has made a full transition back to the NAIA.
But Tully and the Pirates are ready to field a team capable of challenging any opponent on its schedule in 2004.

Offense:
Sophomore Joel Clark (5-11, 171, Spokane, Wash. - Mt. Spokane HS) opened eyes last season after taking over the starting quarterback job as a true freshman. He completed 55% of his passes for 1,414 yards and four touchdowns (with nine interceptions). Redshirt junior Joe Gore (6-2, 201, Prosser, Wash. - Prosser HS) and sophomore Zach Henningsen (6-1, 181, Hillsboro, Ore. - Glencoe HS) both saw playing time last season, especially Gore, who started five games.

"We are very solid at quarterback," said Tully.

Protecting the quarterback will be what Tully believes is one of the best offensive lines he has ever had at Whitworth.

"We have depth and talent and I believe this is our best group since our playoff team in 2001," he said.

Six players have starting experience on the line, while two others are ready to make significant impacts. Of the six with starting experience, nearly all are versatile enough to play anywhere on the line. Senior Tyler Neely (6-0, 300, Okanogan, Wash. - Okanogan HS) will return to anchor the line as starting center. Neely has lost 30 pound in off-season conditioning. Juniors Kevin Reese (6-4, 250, Hayden Lake, Idaho - Lakeland HS) and Chris Stewart (6-5, 260, Spokane, Wash. - North Central HS) will likely start at the tackles. Both missed most of last season with injuries. Seniors Ted Bakken (5-11, 244, Washougal, Wash. - Washougal HS) and Chris Gilliam (6-2, 251, Bend, Ore. - Bend HS) will battle with junior Clark Pauls (5-11, 280, Davenport, Wash. - Davenport HS) for the starting guard positions. All have significant playing and starting experience gained by filling in for injured players last fall.

In addition, Tully believes that sophomores Steve Honeyman (6-1, 300, Kennewick, Wash. - Kamiakin HS) and Jonathan Erlenmeyer (5-11, 235, Moses Lake, Wash. - Moses Lake HS) have improved enough over the off season to challenge for significant playing time. Adding to that mix is sophomore Matt McCord (Spokane, Wash. - Rogers HS), who saw playing time as a true freshman at Occidental (Calif.) College last season. Finally, a trio of redshirt freshmen provide quality depth and will eventually be very good players in the program, according to Tully. The trio is made up of Josh Alfrey (5-10, 230, Kellogg, Idaho - Kellogg HS), Kyle Kania (5-11, 240, Pasco, Wash. - Pasco HS) and Levi Wyman (6-0, 220, Aiea, Hawaii -Aiea HS).

The receiver and tight ends are talented and experienced as well. Sophomore receiver Jared Thomas (5-9, 169, Newberg, Ore. - Newberg HS) posted outstanding numbers as a redshirt freshman when he caught 42 passes for 500 yards and four touchdowns last year. Junior receiver Kyle Snell (6-2, 223, Issaquah, Wash. - Univ. of Arizona) provided a potent breakaway threat, averaging 17.1 yards per catch and adding a pair of touchdowns. Sophomores Dustin Frank (6-1, 195, Rathdrum, Idaho - Lakeland HS) and Nick Kuntz (5-11, 189, Meridian, Idaho - Eagle HS) and juniors Mathew Johnson (5-11, 188, Olympia, Wash. - Olympia HS) and Pat Vestal (6-1, 186, Caldwell, Idaho - Vallivue HS) are four other players within the program who will push for significant playing time in a system that often sends four or five players wide. In addition, two newcomers could factor into serious consideration at receiver. Redshirt sophomores Jeff Galloway (Spokane, Wash. - Ferris HS / Montana State) and Josh Baird (Vancouver, Wash. - Mountain View HS / Clark CC) were award-winning players coming out of high school.

Both senior David Woods (6-4, 250, Quincy, Wash. - Quincy HS) and sophomore Michael Allan (6-6, 228, Bellevue, Wash. - Interlake HS) have playing experience at tight end. Tully believes Woods comes in as potentially the better blocking tight end, while Allen has tremendous speed and athletic ability.

The biggest question facing the offensive coaching staff will be at running back. Whitworth must replace four-year starter Billy Condon and is looking at a group of four young players. Sophomore Kyle Havercroft (5-7, 172, Rathdrum, Idaho - Lakeland HS) and RS freshman James Smith (5-6, 184, Long Beach, Calif. - North Kitsap [Wash.] HS) provide great outside speed, while sophomore Chris Ahsing (5-9, 190, Ewa Beach, Hawaii - Campbell HS) and RS freshman Drew Griggs (5-11, 205, Colbert, Wash. - Mt. Spokane HS) give Tully a more power-oriented threat.

"This situation is much like it was four years ago when Billy established himself as the starting running back," said Tully. "We have several guys battling and I expect great competition."

Defense:
The defensive side of the ball presents similar challenges to the coaches and opportunities for players who have waited in the wings.

The defensive line returns a pair of all-conference caliber players. Junior Daniel Jones (6-0, 220, Coos Bay, Ore. - Marshfield HS) has 17 sacks over the last two seasons and was Honorable Mention All-NWC as a RS freshman. Junior Austin Richard (5-11, 242, Seattle, Wash. - Blanchet HS) was an Honorable Mention selection last fall. Senior Greg Entel (6-1, 202, Clarkston, Wash. - Clarkston HS) and junior Shawn Washington (6-0, 276, Anchorage, Alaska - Dimond HS) are the most experienced returning players with defensive line experience. Tully is also very excited about the athletic ability of sophomore Dusty Rasmussen (6-3, 251, Silverdale, Wash. - Klahowya HS) and RS freshmen Dan Roberts (6-4, 225, Grand Coulee, Wash. - Lake Roosevelt HS) and Justin Rundle (6-5, 237, Spokane, Wash. - Mt. Spokane HS). All three combine the size and speed to be outstanding defensive linemen.

Linebacker was a position hit especially hard by the injury bug last season. Junior Matt Krueger (5-11, 203, Gresham, Ore. - Gresham HS) became a starter mid-way though last season and will return to start in the middle. Junior Travis Loidolt (6-2, 230, Laguna Beach, Calif. - Orange Coast JC) demonstrated impressive ability before missing most of last season with an injury. He should start at one outside position. Sophomore Nick Portrey (6-1, 185, Ritzville, Wash. - Ritzville HS) gained significant experience as a back-up by the end of the season. Four RS freshmen will also battle for playing time, if not starting positions, according to Tully. They are Casey Clifton (6-0, 220, Spokane, Wash. - University HS), Greg Caster (5-11, 181, Sherwood, Ore. - Sherwood HS), Michael Parker (6-0, 195, Spokane, Wash. - Freeman HS) and Jeffre Richardson (5-11, 189, Seattle, Wash. - Seattle Prep HS).

The defensive backfield might present the greatest challenge to the coaching staff. The Pirates must replace three starters. Senior Jeremy Scroggins (5-11, 189, Royal City, Wash. - Royal City HS) was a Second Team All-NWC choice last season and will return to start at safety. Seniors Brandon Stallings (5-11, 184, Spokane, Wash. - Mead HS) and Daniel Malory (6-0, 183, Long Beach, Calif. - Golden West CC), who played in 2002 but not in 2003, have the most experience among the returning players. Junior Earnest Policarpio (5-7, 174, Lakewood, Wash. - Clover Park HS) and sophomores Zac Farnam (5-7, 169, Deer Park, Wash. - Deer Park HS), Joe Morris (5-10, 167, Spokane, Wash. - Ferris HS) and Patrick Mitchell (5-11, 163, Tonasket, Wash. - Tonasket HS) all gained limited but valuable experience as young players in 2003. Incoming freshmen Jon Dresback (Spokane, Wash. - Freeman HS) and Jay Tully (Spokane, Wash. - Mead HS), may have the talent to push for immediate playing time this fall.

Special Teams:
Junior Cameron Collings (6-1, 170, Spokane, Wash. - Mead HS) will return as Whitworth's place kicker and punter. He made 20/23 extra points and booted 5/7 field goals, including a long of 49 yards last season. He also averaged 35 yards per punt.

Whitworth will select its primary kick and punt returners at camp this fall. However Kyle Snell and Jared Thomas will each factor heavily into those responsibilities.

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