Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
With six starters to replace off of last year’s team, the St. John-Endicott Eagles look to be led by an unknown in 2014.
Jimmy Hollingshead, a senior, returned to Whitman County from Pendleton, Ore., where he moved after spending part of his freshman year at St. John.
He’s never played football here but now will start as the Eagles’ quarterback.
"My approach is there’s two guys that touch the ball on every play," said third-year head coach Steve Selk. "The center and the quarterback. I really think this year I want the ball in (Hollingshead’s) hands on every play."
The center will be Lucas Elkins, a senior who replaced Alex White last year. White, a class of 2014 graduate, broke his leg in the third game of the season against Northport.
The staring quarterback from a year ago returns as a junior, and while backing up Hollingshead, he will also play running back and safety.
Other key returning players include Dakota Gering, senior fullback/linebacker; Wilson Lundberg, senior running back, linebacker; Jordan Morris, senior defensive lineman; Skyler Smith, senior tight end/safety; Tyler Anderson, defensive line; Luke Bailey, junior tight end, defensive line and Rowdy Brown, senior tight end/offensive line/defensive line.
"I can kind of throw (Brown) anywhere," Selk said.
Senior Cove Crider returns to the team after missing last year to play offensive line and defensive line.
"I think we’re faster than last year," Selk said. "I think speed is going to be one of our positives."
Adding to the Eagles’ selection of running backs will be sophomore Adam Blakeley.
In June, Selk and 17 players went to the Whitworth College eight-man camp for three days in Spokane, scrimmaging at times against Odessa-Harrington, who they will play Friday night in their first game of the season.
Selk and the Eagles will look to beat last year’s three-win total for 2013.
"I just want to build on the previous year every time," Selk said. "I really like the chemistry I’m seeing on this team."
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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