Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
That lithe freshman running back streaking through the line for Garfield-Palouse last year is now playing left guard.
“We needed somebody to play line,” said second-year Gar-Pal coach Will Woltering. “He didn’t even question it. A heck of a good team player.”
Sophomore Travis Knauff as lineman is one part of the new look of the 2015 Vikings, which graduated six seniors from last year’s final-8 state playoff team, including five veteran starters.
One of them was Hunter Woltering – the coach’s son – at quarterback. Taking his place will be Evan Weagraff, a 6’2” 180-pound sophomore, a starting defensive back last year who spent more than half of the season out with injury.
“He’ll be a good quarterback,” said Coach Woltering. “He’ll be a little more of a runner.”
Anchoring the line—offensive and defensive—will be junior Mason Bates.
“He’s probably our best leader,” Woltering said. “Kind of the cornerstone of our team.”
Bates, a center/noseguard has started every game he’s played in since freshman year.
Another key returning player is senior Ian Niebergs, who led the 2014 team in tackles, at inside linebacker. He’ll play tight end again as well.
Another tight end from last year, senior Wyatt Griner, will pick up at tailback this year, replacing productive Cole Sanderson and Knauff.
“We expect some big things out of him,” said Woltering. “Our running game will be a little bit different.”
Griner missed half of last season due to an illness.
Other returners for the Vikings include senior special teams player Michael Winslow and junior receiver/defensive back Cameron Springstead.
“He’ll score some touchdowns. He’ll handle the ball quite a bit,” said Woltering.
Senior Josh Blair will play receiver and defensive back, returning to football for the first time since middle school.
The key hole in the line that prompted the need to move Knauff was due to the graduation of Gabe Cocking and Mitch Jamison, both three-year starters at Gar-Pal.
The Vikings’ first game will be Friday at Wallace, Idaho, a team they beat at home last year to open the season.
From there, coach Woltering will see how well his players have adjusted to new positions and how the new leadership is shaping up.
“They just have to learn on the fly,” Woltering said.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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