Aug. 16, 2004

SPOKANE, Wash. -

Great Northwest Pre-Season Poll 2003 Record  Pts1.  Central Washington (2)       6-4    162.  Western Washington (2)       4-6    163.  Western Oregon               4-6    64.  Humboldt State               3-7    6

(Note: First-place votes in parenthesis. Points awarded on a 5-3-2-1 basis). SPOKANE - Entering the 2004 season, there doesn't appear to be a great deal of difference between the four Great Northwest Athletic Conference football teams - at least in terms of the number of returning veterans. All four have nearly the same number of returning letter winners (Western Oregon 31, Western Washington 31, Central Washington 30, Humboldt State 29) and returning starters (Humboldt State 13, Central Washington 11, Western Washington 11, Western Oregon 10). Central and Western Washington each return five 2003 all-stars, while WOU has four. Humboldt State has two. The conference pre-season poll reflects the closeness of those numbers. The Wildcats and Vikings each received two first-place votes and tied in the balloting with 16 points each, while the Wolves and Lumberjacks finished tied for third with six ballot points. Western Washington will be attempting to win its third GNAC title in four years after rebounding from a 1-6 start to win all three of its conference contests last season. This year the teams will play two games against each conference opponent for a six-game conference schedule. The Vikings may have a slight advantage to start the season in that they are the only team to return their starting quarterback. Steve Nichols threw for 1,484 yards and 16 touchdowns a year ago. Western Oregon, however, gets back its 2002 starter Denny Bies, who put up spectacular numbers last season (39-51-0, 345 yards) before missing the final 8 ½ games of the season with an injury. CWU will rely on lefthander Brian Baugh, who has thrown just 13 passes in two seasons as a backup to Zak Hill, who graduated as the third leading passer in Northwest small-college football history with 8,869 yards and 76 touchdowns. Hill trails only CWU's Jon Kitna (12,353) and Pacific Lutheran's Marc Weekly (9,378) on the all-time list. The Wildcats, however, do return 2002 All-American wide receiver Brian Potucek, who missed most of the 2003 season with an ACL injury, in addition to a league-best five first team all-conference players. Among the five is 2003 conference rushing champion Emilio Iniguez, who rushed for 1,040 yards. Among Humboldt's two returning all-stars is Dustin Creager, who is the GNAC's all-time leading receiver with 205 catches for 2,893 yards. Iniguez is one of three returning GNAC statistical champions from the 2003 season. Also back is WWU wide receiver Andy Olson and kicker Michael Koenen. Olson was the GNAC all-purpose yardage leader last season with 1,260 yards, including a league-best 1,063 receiving yards on 64 receptions. Koenen, who also averaged 43.4 yards per punt, led the conference in kick scoring with 53 points. Two years ago, Koenen led the nation in punting. Central and Humboldt get a head start on the Vikings and Wolves, opening their seasons Saturday, Aug. 28. CWU travels to Helena, Mont., to debut against two-time NAIA defending national champion Carroll College, while HSU hosts Menlo. Western Washington opens its season Sept. 4 at home against Fort Lewis, Colo., while WOU debuts that day against NCAA Division III Willamette. The schedule: August: 28 - Central Washington at Carroll, 1 p.m.; Menlo at Humboldt State, 6 p.m. September: 3 - Western Montana at Central Washington, noon. 4 - Humboldt State at Cal Poly SLO, 6 p.m.; Western Oregon at Willamette, 7 p.m.; Fort Lewis at Western Washington, 1 p.m. 11 - Central Washington at North Dakota, 1 p.m.; Southern Oregon at Humboldt State, 6 p.m.; Western Oregon at Linfield, 1:30 p.m.; Western Washington at St. Cloud State, 6 p.m. 18 - Central Washington at Eastern Washington, 6:05 p.m.; Humboldt State at Azusa Pacific, 6 p.m.; Western Oregon at South Dakota State, 7 p.m.; Nebraska Omaha at Western Washington, 1 p.m. 25 - Western Washington vs. Central Washington (at Seattle), 6 p.m.; Western Oregon at Humboldt State, 2 p.m. October: 2 - Humboldt State at Central Washington, 1 p.m.; Western Washington at Western Oregon, 1 p.m. 9 - Eastern Oregon at Central Washington, 1 p.m.; UC Davis at Western Oregon, 2 p.m.; St. Joseph, Ind. at Western Washington, 1 p.m. 16 - Western Oregon at Central Washington, 1 p.m.; Humboldt State at Western Washington, 1 p.m. 23 - Central Washington at Humboldt State, 1 p.m.; Western Oregon at Western Washington, 1 p.m. 30 - Western Washington at Central Washington, 1 p.m.; Humboldt State at Western Oregon, 2 p.m. November: 6 - Central Washington at Western Oregon, 1 p.m.; Western Washington at Humboldt State, 1 p.m. TEAM PREVIEWS Central Washington (6-4, 2-1, 2nd) While Baugh (6-4, 180, Jr., Clarkston, WA), who completed his only pass attempt last season for 45 yards, is relatively inexperienced, he has a solid group of players at the skilled positions to work with including Potucek (6-0, 195, Jr., Tacoma, WA - Clover Park), who caught 86 passes for 1,265 yards and 11 touchdowns two years ago to earn GNAC Offensive Player-of-the-Year honors. Last year, Potucek had 12 catches for 123 yards in two games before his season ended prematurely. Also back at wide receiver is Nate Brookreson (6-1, 196, Jr., Lacey, WA - North Thurston), who caught 16 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns. Iniguez (5-10, 210, Sr., Puyallup, WA - Bethel), who averaged 5.3 yards on 195 carries, leads a solid group of running backs, which also includes Landon Hall (5-11, 220, Jr., Edmonds, WA - Edmonds-Woodway), who rushed for 265 yards and four touchdowns and Willie Johnson (5-11, 235, Sr., Sarasota, FL - Booker), who netted 262 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson played in just six games after rushing for 929 yards and scoring 18 touchdowns during the 2002 season. "The biggest thing is the experience we have at running back," CWU coach John Zamberlin (42-30, 8th year) said. "If we can develop on our offensive line so we can run the football, we won't have to rely solely on throwing the ball and that will make it easier on Baugh. We just can't put too much pressure on Brian." The lone returning full-time starter on the offensive line is right tackle Evan Picton (6-3, 278, Sr., Manson, WA), but he is a good one. Last year, Picton earned honorable mention D2football.com All-American honors. CWU graduated four other all-stars from the O-Line, including first-teamers Zach Fife and John Lindsay. Joining Picton in the trenches will be Mike Don (6-1, 285, Jr., Prosser, WA), who was a part-time starter at center a year ago. Also back are letter winners Zach Hubbell (6-1, 280, Sr., Mukilteo, WA - Woodinville & Shasta) and Zach Myers (6-2, 293, So., Issaquah, WA - Skyline), who will flank Don at the guard positions. Redshirt freshman Aaron Gilbert (6-5, 320, Auburn, WA - Thomas Jefferson) will likely move into a starting position at left tackle. Curtis Johnson (6-2, 210, So., Waitsburg, WA) will start at tight end. Defensively, the Wildcats return three first-team all-stars among six starters, including linebacker Blake Walker (6-1, 234, Sr., Everett, WA - Cascade), who is a three-time selection. Walker has led the Wildcats in tackles each of the past three seasons, including last year when he finished with 81. He had 5 ½ for losses of 30 yards, including four sacks. Overall, though, CWU's linebacking corps is relatively inexperienced. Letterman J.R. Ross (6-3, 212, Sr., Bremerton, WA) will likely start on the strong side, while letter winner Eric Foss (6-3, 198, Sr., Bonney Lake, WA - Sumner) or redshirt freshman Tyson Gamblin (5-11, 200, Enumclaw, WA) will replace GNAC Defensive Player-of-the-Year Levi Teasley at the other linebacking slot. Ross had 16 tackles and Foss had 10 in limited action last season. Also back for the Wildcats are a pair of all-stars on the defensive line - Jacob Galloway (6-5, 235, Sr., Shelton, WA) and Dustin Hawkins (6-3, 290, Sr., Spanaway, WA - Bethel). Galloway had 52 tackles, including 10 for losses of 61 yards, a year ago, while Hawkins had 33 tackles, 8 ½ for losses of 31 yards. "We should be pretty solid on the defensive front," Zamberlin said. The Wildcats have good depth up front, which will pay dividends early as Phil Dougherty (6-2, 265, Jr., Anchorage, AK - Service) and Marlo Airhart (6-1, 281, Sr., Seattle, WA - Mountlake Terrace) will likely not be available at the start of the season because of injuries that limited their playing time a year ago. Dougherty had 20 tackles, including 4 ½ for 17 yards in losses in five games, while Airhart played in just four games. Two years ago he had 31 tackles, six for losses. Mike Romero (6-4, 255, Sr., Spokane, WA - Lewis & Clark, 22 tackles, six for losses of 32 yards) will start the season at left end, while Kellen Becker (6-3, 280, So., Corpus Christi, TX - Calallen, 36 tackles, 6 ½ for 29) will draw the nod on the right side. In the secondary, the Wildcats return just one starter - GNAC Freshman-of-the-Year Ryan Andrews (6-0, 200, So., Marysville, WA - Lake Stevens), but got a boost from their recruiting class adding cornerbacks Marcellus Justin (6-0, 171, Jr., Kirkland, WA - Lake Washington) from Santa Monica JC and Josiah Wilfong (5-9, 185, Jr., Kalama, WA) from Shasta JC and transfer Willie Wallace (5-9, 172, Sr., Klamath Falls, OR - Mazama), who played in 11 games last season at Portland State. All three will contend for starting positions. Andrews ranked fourth on the team in tackles last season with 53 and also tied for the team lead in interceptions with three. Also returning in the secondary are part-time starters Adam Jackson (5-10, 173, So., Spanaway Lake, WA) and Franco Santiago (5-9, 193, Jr., Auburn, WA - Auburn-Riverside), letterman Derrick Morris (5-9, 185, Sr., Spanaway, WA - Bethel) and redshirt freshman B.J. Ray (6-0, 180, Fr., Bremerton, WA). Jackson, who started two games, had 19 tackles in nine contests, while Santiago made six starts at strong safety and had 23 tackles. Morris played in 10 contests. Sophomore Coby Sadler (5-11, 165, So., Ellensburg, WA) will likely handle both kicking and punting chores this fall for the Wildcats. Last year, Sadler shared the kicking duties, making 19 of 21 extra points and three of eight field goals. He'll try to fill the punting shoes of Joe Smith, who led the nation averaging 44.2 yards per kick.

2004 ScheduleAug. 28 at Carroll, 1 p.m.Sept. 3 Western Montana, noonSept. 11 at North Dakota, 1 p.m.Sept. 18 at Eastern Washington, 6:05 p.m.Sept. 25 *Western Washington (at Seattle), 6 p.m.Oct. 2  *Humboldt State, 1 p.m.Oct. 9  Eastern Oregon, 1 p.m.Oct. 16 *Western Oregon, 1 p.m.Oct. 23 *at Humboldt State, 1 p.m.Oct. 30 *Western Washington, 1 p.m.Nov. 6  *at Western Oregon, 1 p.m.

Western Washington (4-6, 3-0) Western Washington won its final three games last season, including a 17-16 home win over CWU, as Viking coach Rob Smith (99-52-1, 15 years) moved to within one victory of becoming the first coach in school history to win 100 games. WWU returns seven starters on offense, but just three are back on defense and with just seven seniors, may have the youngest team during Smith's tenure at Bellingham. "On paper at least, based on the experience we have, our offense needs to carry us early on, because our defense is young," Smith said. "If any offense can do it, this one can. We have a lot of pieces back and there really isn't an inexperienced position." Among the key cogs on offense are quarterback Steve Nichols (6-2, 210, Sr., Stevenson, WA), wide receiver Andy Olson (6-2, 210, Jr., Chehalis, WA - West), running backs Duncan Sherrard (5-10, 200, Jr., Seattle, WA - Roosevelt) and Jake Carlyle (5-7, 200, Jr., Olympia, WA - Capital) and tight end Rick Carte (6-4, 245, Sr., Juneau, AK - Juneau-Douglas). Nichols, who started seven games last season, has made 11 career starts and ranks 10th in school history with 2,836 passing yards. "Steve had a tremendous spring," Smith said. "He realized the job is in his hands and it is amazing the impact that can have. He's showing great confidence." Olson caught 64 passes for 1,063 and nine touchdowns in earning first team all-league honors. He ranked ninth nationally in yards per game (106.3) and 17th in receptions (6.1). Two players - James Laurence (6-4, 230, Sr., Kent, WA - Kent-Meridian) and redshirt freshman Chris Robinson (5-10, 190, Lakewood, WA - Clover Park) - are battling for the other wide receiver spot. Laurence caught 10 passes for 100 yards last season, while Robinson was the Scout Team Offensive Player-of-the-Year. At slot, Jarrod Karuza (6-0, 195, Jr., Bellingham, WA - Meridian), who missed last season with an injury, enters fall camp as the starter. Sherrard and Carlyle combined for 1,178 yards last season with Sherrard finishing with 760 on 176 carries to earn first team all-conference honors. Carlyle netted 418 yards and also had 95 yards on eight receptions. He also averaged 22.5 yards (449 on 20 returns) on kick returns. Carte had 17 catches for 158 yards and five touchdowns to earn all-league tight end honors a year ago, while Nick Yoney (6-4, 245, Jr., Arlington, WA) had 11 catches for 174 yards and a touchdown. The Vikings also have an experienced offensive line led by center Loren Winter (6-1, 260, Jr., Bothell, WA - Juanita), who made eight starts. "We bring the line back almost intact, and a year ago we were very good," Smith said. Back at tackle are Justin Simpson (6-4, 305, Jr., Kennewick, WA - Kamiakin) and Brandon Torrey (6-3, 285, So. Graham, WA - Bethel), who made nine and three starts, and Geoff Hise (6-2, 260, Sr., Snoqualmie, WA - Mt. Si), who started eight games. Back at guard is Todd Gowing (6-2, 280, Sr., Kirkland, WA - Inglemoor), who started six games and Peter Van Datta (6-2, 265, So., Bremerton, WA - Central Kitsap), who started four games. Another guard possibility is Will Freitag (6-3, 260, Jr., Maple Valley, WA - Eastside Catholic), a two-year starter at Minnesota - Crookston, who earned honorable mention all-league honors as a sophomore. Defensively, back Rob White (6-1, 215, Sr., Woodinville, WA - Inglemoor) and defensive end Joey Joshua (6-4, 225, Jr., Ferndale, WA, are the lone returning all-stars. Joshua earned second honors a year ago and will anchor a line, which will be loaded with newcomers. Joshua finished the 2003 season with 43 tackles and had 9 ½ for losses of 23 yards. "Joey is ready to make a name for himself regionally and possibly nationally," Smith said. "We need him to be an outstanding player now, to be the leader of our defensive front." At the other end is Nicholas Buck (6-2, 235, So., Kent, WA - Kentridge), who started three games at tackle and had 13 tackles, recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass. Transfer Ryan Davidson (6-3, 260, Jr., Pleasant Hill, CA), a two-year starter at Diablo Valley, could be a factor at tackle, while his JC teammate Noel Tafoya (6-2, 245, Jr., Pittsburg, CA) and redshirt freshman Ryan Conwell (6-5, 215, Fr., Kent, WA - Kentwood) could contribute at end. White has started every game the past two seasons at strong safety and earned first team GNAC all-star honors last season, while leading the Vikings in tackles with 90 and ranking 14th nationally in solos (6.1 per contest). He also had two interceptions, one fumble recovery and defensed seven passes. At free safety, converted receiver Jason Barton (5-9, 180, Jr., Gig Harbor, WA) has the inside track. Also back is Brett Snyder-Ferguson (6-1, 190, Jr., Colville, WA), who started the opener last season and had nine tackles, before missing the rest of the season due to disciplinary reasons. On the corner, Brett Hall (5-7, 175, Jr., Kennewick, WA) returns after starting nine games (28 tackles, 5 passes defensed). Also back is Sly Whitfield (5-8, 160, So., Seattle, WA - Garfield), who made five starters and had two interceptions. Also available is redshirt Ocie Moore (5-9, 170, Fr., Seattle, WA - Kent-Meridian), who was penciled in as a starter a year ago before sustaining a season-ending injury two days before the opener, and Sean O'Hara (5-8, 170, Sr., Pleasant Hill, CA), who transferred from St. Mary's after they dropped their football program last spring. O'Hara started six games for the Gaels. The largest rebuilding job for Smith is probably at linebacker. Four letter winners return, but they saw most of their action on special teams. The most experienced linebackers are two-year letterman Adam Klingenberg (5-11, 215, Jr., Walla Walla, WA), who figures to start at one of the outside spots, and Joe Allen (6-1, 215, Jr., Graham, WA - Bethel), who enters fall as the starter in the middle. At the other outside position, redshirt freshman Tieba Bropleh (5-10, 205, Bremerton, WA) had an outstanding spring and enters the fall as the starter. Koenen will handle both the place-kicking and punting duties for the Vikings. He earned first team all-league placekicking honors last season, connecting on nine of 20 field goals and 26 of 28 extra points. He was a second team all-league selection as a punter, ranking fourth nationally with a 43.4 average. Two years ago he led the nation in punting with a 44.9 average. Two all-stars are also among WWU's returnees - Carlyle and Olson, who gained second team punt return honors with his 10.2 average.

2004 ScheduleSept. 4 Fort Lewis, 1 p.m.Sept. 11 at St. Cloud State, 6 p.m.Sept. 18 Nebraska Omaha, 1 p.m.Sept. 25 *Central Washington (at Seattle), 6 p.m.Oct. 2  *at Western Oregon, 1 p.m.Oct. 9  St. Joseph, IN, 1 p.m.Oct. 16 *Humboldt State, 1 p.m.Oct. 23 *Western Oregon, 1 p.m.Oct. 30 *at Central Washington, 1 p.m.Nov. 6  *at Humboldt State, 1 p.m.

Western Oregon (4-6, 1-2, 3rd) Wolf quarterback Denny Bies (6-2, 205, Jr., Tualatin, OR) passed 2,088 yards and 15 touchdowns to earn second team all-conference honors two years ago before missing most of the 2003 season with a leg injury and will return to lead the WOU offense this season. "Denny might be on of the best quarterbacks that I have had, in terms of seeing the field and making good decisions, " WOU coach Duke Iverson, who has a 125-76-3 record in 19 seasons, including six (33-24) at Monmouth, said. "He has that extra something that you are always looking for in a quarterback," Iverson said. Backing up Bies will be Ryan Thorson (6-5, 230, So., Sandy, OR), who threw for 1,560 yards and nine touchdowns after taking over for Bies midway through the second game last season. Elsewhere on offense, WOU is fairly inexperienced. At running back, Ivan McCrae, who rushed for 518 yards, graduated, and Michael Ramirez, who led the team with 556 yards will miss the season after injuring a knee in a spring scrimmage. The top candidate to handling the running back position is freshman Greg Coleman (5-10, 195, Portland, OR - Westview). Coleman has explosive speed and power. "We expect Greg to have a very productive year," Iverson said. "He is a very exciting back to watch." Other possibilities include converted quarterback Kyle Blank (6-0, 205, Fr., Klamath Falls, OR - Mazama) and two-year letter winner James Watts (5-8, 180, Jr., Wasilla, AK), who rushed for 149 yards two years ago. Fullback candidates include Kyle Braa (6-0, 215, So., Scio, OR) and converted defensive lineman Dan Hirsch (6-3, 240, So., Portland, OR - Lincoln). The Wolves also graduated their top two receivers (Brad Satran and Mike Hinshaw). Among the returnees are Tyler Smith (5-10, 175, Jr., Albany, OR - South Albany), who had 15 catches, and Bret Hughes (6-1, 220, Jr., Salem, OR - McKay), who had 11 receptions in 2002 before switching to defense last fall. At tight end, Kevin Boss (6-7, 250, So., Philomath, OR), a second-team all-league selection, returns. Boss had nine receptions a year ago. Iverson will also have to rebuild the offensive line, which graduated three all-stars. The lone returning starter is sophomore Ryan Belcher (6-4, 320, So., Keizer, OR - McNary), who started last year as a true freshman. Among the newcomers will be J C transfers Steve Norton (6-3, 320, Jr., Watsonville, CA) from Cabrillo and Mario Martinez (6-3, 280, Jr., Hermiston, OR) from the College of the Siskiyous. "A few redshirt freshmen and maybe some true freshmen are going to have to work their way into the mix," Iverson said. "This is an area that certainly needs to develop quickly. It is a very talented group with a great future, but they are young." On defense, a trio of second team GNAC all-stars are among six returning starters - defensive tackles Lucas Garcia (6-2, 245, Sr., Sunriver, OR - Bend) and Ron Kelly (6-3, 265, Jr., Astoria, OR) and defensive back Chad Boyd (6-0, 205, Jr., Salem, OR - Sprague). Garcia leads a group of lineman that had the potential to be one of the best front fours in school history before Jeff Charleston (69 tackles, 10 ½-51 for losses) elected to transfer to Idaho State and defensive end Isaiah Haines (23 tackles), a 2001 GNAC second-team all-star, was lost for the season to a knee injury. "Thankfully, we had some depth there, so it is still one of our strengths," Iverson said. "Our front four is still very good, but we are looking for depth after that group." Senior co-captain Matt Olafson (6-6, 255, Sr., Junction City, OR) and Dane Wagner (6-4, 240, Jr., Salem, OR - Sprague) will likely start at the end positions, while Kelly, the 2001 GNAC Co-Freshman-of-the-Year, and Garcia, will play on the inside. Olafson had 27 tackles, including 8 ½ for losses of 39 yards, last season. Kelly and Garcia had 27 and 23 tackles, respectively. At linebacker, Kevin Holcomb (6-2, 235, Sr., Hood River, OR) will switch from the middle to the outside. A year ago, he had 36 tackles. John Apgar (6-2, 240, Jr., Toledo, OR) will take over in the middle, while a batch of others including all-conference decathlete Matt Jirges (6-4, 235, So., Gervais, OR) vie for playing minutes at the other outside position. Apgar had 26 tackles last season. Boyd returns to anchor the Wolf secondary from his safety position. Last season, he led the team in tackles (77) and interceptions (3 for 41 yards). "We expect Chad to have a great year," Iverson said. "He continues a tradition of great players that we have had at safety." The Wolves also have experience at cornerback with Jay Darden (5-10, 180, So., Portland, OR - Lincoln) and Javon Allen (5-9, 175, Sr., North Pole, AK - Eielson) returning. Allen was credited with 34 tackles and forced three fumbles last season. Darden had 16 tackles and two interceptions. In the special teams, the Wolves will need to find replacements for kicker Andrew Keippela (164 points) and punter Lucas Taroli (41.7 average). Both players rank third in GNAC history in their categories. Kyle Nilson (5-9, 165, Fr.., Shoreline, WA - Shorewood) ended spring practice as the No. 1 kicker, while Bruce Voges (6-2, 200, Fr., Grant Pass) has the inside track on the punting duties.

2004 ScheduleSept. 4 at Willamette, 7 p.m.Sept. 11 at Linfield, 1:30 p.m.Sept. 18 at South Dakota State, 7 p.m.Sept. 25 *at Humboldt State, 2 p.m.Oct. 2  *Western Washington, 1 p.m.Oct. 9  UC Davis, 2 p.m.Oct. 16 *at Central Washington, 1 p.m.Oct. 23 *at Western Washington, 1 p.m.Oct. 30 *Humboldt State, 2 p.m.Nov. 6  *Central Washington, 1 p.m.

Humboldt State (3-7; 0-3, 4th) Humboldt State made progress last season, winning three games and losing three others by less than a touchdown after winning just one game in 2002. With six starters back on offense and six back on defense, there is reason for some optimism this fall in the Lumberjack camp. "We're certainly going to be improved over last year's team," HSU head coach Doug Adkins (12-31, 4 years) said. "We'll definitely be more physical, particularly along the offensive and defensive lines." On offense, Adkins hopes to supplement last year's formidable passing attack with a more versatile offense. "Our ability to run the ball is going to have to improve, and we feel we have both the offensive line and running backs to make that happen," Adkins said. Among the running back candidates are Daniel Nembhard (5-9, 195, Jr., Pasadena, CA) from Mt. San Antonio JC, Jonathan Rosen (5-9, 185, So., San Diego, CA) from San Diego Mesa, Daniel Suban (5-9, 200, So., Pomona, CA) from Chino Hills, and Lionel Arnold (Richmond, CA), a bruising 6-0, 228-pound junior from Contra Costa. They'll join returnees Bobby Pierson (6-0, 215, Jr., Richmond, CA, 80 yards on 21 carries) and Kyle Killingsworth (5-10, 195, So., Ferndale, CA, 24 yards on six rushes). Through Adkins lost quarterback Chris Dixon (2,386 yards) and two of his top receivers, including Chris White (77-916) and son Brent Adkins (55-646) to graduation, the passing attack still appears solid. Jason Baughman (6-0, 185, Sr., Anaheim, CA) returns after backing up Dixon last season. He netted 681 yards and four touchdowns in three games, including a school-record 468 yards in his lone start against Southern Oregon. Among HSU's recruits is Blake Moorman (6-1, 195, Jr., Palm Desert, CA - San Diego Mesa), who passed for 2,389 and 28 yards. Also available are returnee J.D. Hellinger (6-1, 200, So., Winters, CA) and newcomers Justin Heimiller (6-4, 235, Jr., Taft, CA - Bakersfield JC) and Monty Duke (6-2, 210, Jr., Santee, CA - Clarion University). Among the receivers is Dustin Creager (6-1, 198, Sr., Mission Viejo, CA - Santa Margarita), who caught 68 passes for 904 yards, and lettermen Brandon Wetsel (6-3, 220, Sr., Dallas, TX) and Sean Quincey (6-0, 185, Sr., Oceanside, CA - Hartnell). Wetsel had 20 receptions for 183 yards and Quincey caught 15 for 127 yards. Among a solid group of newcomers are Mark Maples, a former NAIA All-American at Dakota State; Donnie Featherstone from Mendocino JC and redshirt freshman Nicholas Cope. Maples (6-0, 200, Sr., Fair Oaks, CA) hasn't played in three years, but set school records at Dakota State for single-season yards (1,059), single-season touchdowns (13) and single-game yards (231) in earning second team NAIA All-American honors in 2001. Jason Root (6-4, 295, Sr., Antelope, CA - Sierra JC), a second-team all-league selection last year, and center Justin Schienle (5-10, 260, Sr., Mammoth Lakes, CA) are among two veteran offensive lineman back for the Lumberjacks. The line will also be strengthened by the return of tight end John Otterness (6-4, 250, Sr., Bakersfield, CA), who redshirted last year, after earning first team all-league honors in 2002 when he caught 11 passes for 92 yards. Newcomers who are expected to impact the Jacks' up front include Jose Gallo (6-2, 300, Jr., Vacaville, CA) from American River College and Matt Albanese (5-11, 300, Jr., Paso Robles, CA) from West Hills. On defense, both the defensive line and linebacker positions should be improved. Back on the D-Line are Tom Connolly (6-4, 255, Jr., Moraga, CA - Campolindo) and Chris Hegler (6-0, 260, So., Stockton, CA - Franklin), who had 13 and eight tackles, respectively, last year. Among those counted on to revive HSU's front are Eric Broden (6-5, 250, Sr., Fair Oaks, CA), who had 16 tackles including four for losses of 17 yards for NCAA Division I Sacramento State, and Doug Courtemanche (6-3, 235, Jr., Oroville, CA), who redshirted after transferring from Butte JC. Others expected to make an impact are Justin Butler (6-4, 270, Jr., Ukiah, CA) from Mendocino College; Adam Fain (6-4, 265, Fresno, CA) from Fresno City and Portland State redshirt Chris Walker (6-3, 285, Sr., Hayward, CA), who previously played at Chabot College. Nick White (6-1, 200, Sr., Fort Bragg, CA) will help strengthen the linebacking corps. White had 59 tackles and broke up eight passes two years ago, before missing most of last season with an injury. Also back at linebacker are two of HSU's five top tacklers from last season - Brandon Wigton (5-11, 220, Jr., Bakersfield, CA - Centennial), who ranked fourth with 51 and Felix Bobo (6-2, 248, Sr., Moreno Valley, CA), who ranked fifth with 42. Newcomers Allen Brummer (5-11, 220) from Saint Bonaventure High School in Ventura, Justin Johnson from Long Beach City College and Tray Randall, a transfer from Louisiana State, could also contribute. Brunner had 28 sacks in three high school seasons. In the secondary, two transfers should patch the holes left by the graduations of Duval Seamster, Cody Killingsworth and Mohammed Muheize. Eli Curtis (6-2, 204, Sr.) played basketball for one season at Cal State Fullerton before starring in the safety slot at Fullerton JC. Christian Hodges (6-2, 208, Sr., San Diego, CA) played one season at Western Michigan and was a two-time all-conference player at Allen Hancock College. Francisco Castellan (5-8, 175, Jr., Pinole, CA - Contra Costa) and Tim Wilson (6-0, 200, Sr., San Diego, CA - Grossmont) are the incumbent place-kicker and punter, respectively. Last year Castellan was nearly perfect making 14 of 15 extra points and also three of his field goal attempts, including a long of 36. Wilson averaged 38 yards per punt.

2004 ScheduleAug. 28 Menlo, 6 p.m.Sept. 4 at Cal Poly SLO, 6 p.m.Sept. 11 Southern Oregon, 6 p.m.Sept. 18 at Azusa Pacific, 6 p.m.Sept. 25 *Western Oregon, 2 p.m.Oct. 2  *at Central Washington, 1 p.m.Oct. 16 *at Western Washington, 1 p.m.Oct. 23 *Central Washington, 1 p.m.Oct. 30 *at Western Oregon, 2 p.m.Nov. 6  *Western Washington, 1 p.m.