Spokane, Wash. -- Coming off of the most successful season in Whitworth football history, the question many Pirate fans are asking is “Can we do it again in 2007?” Certainly Whitworth must overcome the graduation of two of the most prolific offensive players in school history. But the pieces are there, led by a distinguished senior class, to repeat or surpass the success of 2006.

“This senior group my be the best we’ve ever had in terms of work ethic and commitment to success,” said Whitworth head coach John Tully, who is 61-53 after 12 years as the Pirates’ head coach (47-20 over the last seven seasons). “They are self motivated and want to achieve great things. They lead by example, yet are inclusive of the younger players. This group is leaving its own legacy.”

Seniors make up the majority of 15 starters returning from the 2006 team that finished 11-1 and ranked 9th in the final D3football.com poll. Whitworth finished 10-0 in the regular season for the first time in school history, won a post-season playoff game for the first time, and won its first outright Northwest Conference title after earning ties in 1975 and 2001.

Eight of the starters, all seniors, return from one of the best-ever Whitworth defenses. The Pirates allowed only 13.4 points per game and recorded 40 takeaways (+19).

“Our defense has a chance to be the best we’ve ever had,” said Tully. “We have a lot of gifted and experienced athletes on that side of the ball.”

Seven starters return on offense, which has been explosive in its own right over the past three seasons. But Whitworth will have to replace tight end Michael Allan, who was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs, and quarterback Joel Clark, the school’s career record holder for touchdown passes and total offense.

“Our guys on offense will step forward and do fine,” said Tully. “We have enough experience on that side that I am confident we will move the ball and score points.”

Defense:
Whitworth’s success in 2007 may ride on its outstanding defense, led by eight returning defensive starters. The Pirates are strong and big on the defensive line, fast and athletic at linebacker and have four returning starters in the secondary.

Justin Rundle (Sr., DE, Spokane, Wash. – Mt. Spokane HS) and Peter Clark (Sr., DE, Spokane, Wash. – Mead HS) return as starters on the Pirates’ front four. Rundle (6-6, 252 – First Team All-NWC) and Clark (6-2, 240 – Second Team All-NWC) combined for 13.5 tackles for loss last season and 83 total tackles. Jermaine Easterlin (Jr., DE, Tacoma, Wash. – Bellarmine Prep) had an outstanding year as a back up end in 2006 with 27 tackles and three sacks.

The Bucs will have to replace both starting tackles. But Brandon Martin (So., DT, Sweet Home, Ore. – Sweet Home HS) was getting as much playing time as the starters much of last season and made 25 tackles. The other starting position will be a battle that will include Tyler Terhar (So., Everett, Wash. – Archbishop Murphy), Danjuma Quarless (So., Tacoma, Wash. – Bellarmine Prep), or a newcomer like Jordan Nistico (Fr., West Lake Village, Calif. – Oaks Christian Academy).

Whitworth returns two of three starting linebackers, including NWC Defensive Player of the Year Casey Clifton (Sr., Spokane, Wash. – University HS), who led the team with 102 tackles and 10.5 tackles for loss from his middle linebacker spot. Outside linebacker Greg Caster (Sr., Sherwood, Ore. – Sherwood HS) was a First Team All-NWC selection after making 73 tackles (6.5 for loss). The other starting spot will be a battle between several experienced players, including Jordan Marshall (Jr., Spokane, Wash. – Mt. Spokane HS), Marc Grow (Sr., Warden, Wash.- Warden HS), James Gelfer (Jr., Sammamish, Wash. - Eastlake HS) and Nate Hadley (So., Mukilteo, Wash. – Kamiak HS). Jacob Riley (Sr., Vancouver, Wash. – Evergreen HS) will continue to see plenty of action, mostly as a backup in the middle.

Added to this mix is perhaps the strongest incoming class of linebackers Tully has ever had. The group includes Alex Couette (Fr., Yakima, Wash. – Eisenhower HS), Dane Gilbertson (Fr., Lake Stevens, Wash. – Lake Stevens HS), Richard Layton-Brown (Fr., Kennewick, Wash. – Kennewick HS) and Gabe Shoemaker (Fr., Shelton, Wash. - Shelton HS).

Whitworth’s starting secondary returns intact. Jay Tully (Sr., SS, Spokane, Wash. – Mead HS), Ryan Marshall (Sr., CB, Salem, Ore. – Sprague HS), Peter Ghilardi (Sr., CB, Ridgecrest, Calif. – Moorpark Coll.) and Phil Entel (Sr., FS, Clarkston, Wash. – Univ. of Idaho) combined for 21 interceptions last season, including seven each by Tully and Marshall (both First Team All-NWC selections). Entel added five and Ghilardi had two (both were second team all-conference choices).

Opponents were only able to pass for 155 yards per game and seven touchdowns last season. The opponent pass efficiency rating of 91.01 led the NWC and the total of 28 interceptions was second in the nation.

Marc Grow had three interceptions in 2006 and will likely play in the secondary when not at outside linebacker. McLane Stone (Jr., Orcas Island, Wash. – Orcas Island HS), Kyle Duncan (Jr., Kennewick, Wash. – Kamiakin HS) and Cameron Stroyan (So., Chewelah, Wash. – Jenkins HS) return as key backups after gaining valuable experience in 2006.

Offense:
One of the biggest questions for the 2007 team is at quarterback. Jon Luke (Jr., Enumclaw, Wash. – Enumclaw HS) has the most experience as a backup, completing all five of his attempts last season for 44 yards and two touchdowns. Kory Kemp (Jr., Redmond, Wash. – Eastlake HS) has also been in the program for two seasons and has the kind of running ability the Whitworth offense needs in a quarterback. Ray Valle (So., Royal City, Wash. – Royal) showed promise in practice last season. Also joining the mix is Mike Peck (So., Vancouver, Wash. – West Hills [Calif.] JC), who was a standout at R.A. Long High School (Vancouver, Wash.) in 2005.

The running back spot will be very strong. Chris Ahsing (Sr., RB, Ewa Beach, Hawaii – Campbell HS) was the starter last year before suffering an ankle injury that limited him to four games. Milton Nelson (Jr., RB, Spokane, Wash. – EWU) came on to average 4.9 yards per carry and finish with 375 yards rushing. Shane Stonemetz (Jr., Zillah, Wash. – Zillah HS) scored three touchdowns last season.

Two newcomers should also push for immediate playing time. Adam Anderson (So., Riverside, Wash. – Univ. of Idaho) was a high school standout at Riverside High School. Dylan Jones (Fr., Kennewick, Wash. – Southridge HS) played in this season’s 3A/4A East-West All-Star game.

Despite the loss of Allan, Whitworth’s receiving corps should be solid. Steve Silva (Sr., WR, Goleta, Calif. – Coll. of the Canyons) was a First Team All-NWC choice last season after catching 58 passes for 759 yards and four touchdowns. Jay Tully, who often plays both ways, had 21 catches for 286 yards and four scores. Nick Koller (Sr., WR, LaCrosse, Wash. – LaCrosse HS) had some very important catches among his 16 grabs for 223 yards and a TD. Steve Stockton (Jr., WR, Spokane, Wash. – Ferris HS) played in every game last season. Andy Largent (So., WR, Spokane, Wash. - Washington State) was an All-Greater Spokane League player at Shadle Park High School.

Drew Griggs (Sr., TE, Colbert, Wash. – Mt. Spokane HS) is in line to replace Allan at tight end. He caught three touchdowns as a backup last year, including the game winner against Occidental in the first round of the NCAA playoffs. Joey VanHoomissen (Jr., TE, Renton, Wash. – Kentridge HS) was the Pirates’ third tight end last year and will see more time in 2007.

The offensive line returns four starters. Dan Sanders (Jr., OT, Valleyford, Wash. – Freeman HS) and Jeff Kintner (So., OT, Wenatchee, Wash. – Wenatchee HS) return as starters on the outside, while Levi Wyman (Sr., OG, Aiea, Hawaii – Aiea) and Kyle Kania (Sr., Pasco, Wash. – Pasco HS) return at guard.

Adrian Grissom (Jr., Mead, Wash. – Mt. Spokane HS), Michael Cozad (So., Bellingham, Wash. – Sehome HS) and Jordan Thomas (So., Kennewick, Wash. – Southridge HS) will all provide solid back- up at guard and tackle and push for playing time.

Whitworth will have a new starting center. John Phelps (Jr., Spokane, Wash. – Mead HS) has experience as a back up. He will be challenged by a strong incoming class that includes Emilio Sulpizio (Fr., Spokane, Wash. – Mead), who was a participant in the 3A/4A East-West game.

Special Teams:
Whitworth returns both primary kick returners in 2007. Ryan Marshall averaged 7.1 yards per punt return, while Jay Tully averaged almost 19 yards on kick offs. Both should continue those roles this season.

Whitworth will have to replace Cameron Collings, who handled both the placekicking and punting duties in 2006. Jordan Marshall, who served in both roles while Collings was injured in 2005, is slated to return to punting duties. Marshall could also pick up the placekicking duties, as could Andy Largent, who placekicked in high school.

Schedule:
No team on the 2007 schedule will be unfamiliar to the Pirates. Whitworth will play every team it faced in 2006. However, the front half of the schedule is heavy with home games (four of five), while the back half has the Bucs playing on the road four out of five dates.

Whitworth will face Redlands (Calif.), La Verne (Calif.) and Wisconsin-Stout in non-conference contests that count toward the Bucs’ NCAA Division III west region record. Always-talented Azusa Pacific of the NAIA wraps up the non-conference slate.

The Northwest Conference will be a challenge once again. Linfield will try to regain its spot, while Pacific Lutheran has a veteran team back. Willamette always challenges for the top spot and Puget Sound is coming off of its best season in many years. Menlo and Lewis & Clark should be much improved over 2006.

“Our schedule will be rigorous,” said Tully. “But this group is up for the challenge and the players really have fun with it.”

Go to Athletics Home Page > Football > Sports Releases >