Small Colleges | Eastern loads up on state players

CHENEY — A great crop of in-state recruits is good news for Eastern Washington's first-year head coach, Beau Baldwin.

Baldwin signed 21 high-school players to letters of intent Wednesday, 16 from Washington.

"That is something that is more unique about Eastern than any other school in the Big Sky," said Baldwin, who coached Central Washington last season and is a native of Tacoma. "We are fortunate to be in a state that is so strong — we can recruit a lot of players in Washington."

Two Spokane quarterbacks lead the Eastern signees, although one will move to a different position. Ferris' Jeff Minnerly, the Greater Spokane League's Offensive MVP, passed for 27 touchdowns and made The Associated Press Class 4A all-state team. Bryan Karwacki of Gonzaga Prep, the second-team All-GSL quarterback, was signed as a linebacker.

Baldwin also said that Jason Harris, a former quarterback from Skyline of Sammamish, will move to linebacker next season. EWU returns Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year Matt Nichols and backup Alex Smart.

Besides Minnerly, the Eagles signed two out-of-state quarterbacks — Darius Banks of Culver City, Calif., and Scott Burgett of Centennial High in Peoria, Ariz. Banks passed for 9,356 yards and 104 touchdowns in his career. Burgett earned back-to-back state titles.

Baldwin said his emphasis was offensive linemen.

Another top recruit included Erich Armstrong, who made The Times All-State team as defensive back from Franklin Pierce.

Codee Allen, LB, 6-2, 235, University; Josh Antonson, OL/DL, 6-4, 250, Southridge; Erich Armstrong, DB, 6-1, 185, Franklin Pierce; Bryant Cameron, WR, 6-5, 210, Thomas Jefferson; Evan Cook, DL, 6-3, 270, Beamer HS; Koreye Dixon, DB, 5-10, 180, Lakes; Ikaika Gleason, WR, 5-9, 175, Bethel; Rusty Haehl, LB, 5-11, 205, Bellevue; Brandon Jimenez, DB 5-10, 180, Lakes; Bryan Karwacki, LB, 6-1, 210, Gonzaga Prep; Chase King, RB, 6-0, 200, Decatur; Jeff Minnerly, QB, 6-1, 185, Ferris; Sylas Rohner, DL, 6-4, 230, Colfax; Nick Stewart, OL, 6-5, 275, Columbia River; Tyler Washburn, LB, 6-0, 215, Skyline; Grant Williams, LB, 6-1, 225, Rogers.

Central signs 19

ELLENSBURG — Blaine Bennett, Central Washington's first-year head coach, signed a school-record 19 recruits to letters of intent, including seven who were ranked among The Seattle Times' top 100 recruits.

"Our recruiting philosophy at Central is to focus on the best high-school student-athletes we can get from the state of Washington," Bennett said in a statement. "We feel like we did that this year."

Radio Battle, DB, 6-2, 190, Bethel; Ryan Bean, TE, 6-2, 211, Tumwater; Lorne Bridgford, RB, 6-0, 185, Cascade; Jacob Burkey, DB, 5-11, 178, Skyview; Tyler Cardin, RB, 5-9, 170, Fife; Caleb Curry, DE, 6-3, 235, Kentridge; Dominick Davis, RB, 5-8, 170, Lakes; Devin Dyer, DL, 6-1, 275, Heritage (Vancouver); Chris Finlayson, DE, 6-6, 220, Fife; Lamardray Fuller, RB, 5-9, 199, Beamer; Oliver Henry, QB, 6-6, 210, Bethel; Tyler Hopkins, OL, 6-3, 299, Gig Harbor; Tupou Manaea, DL, 6-1, 270, Lakes; Mike Reno, LB, 6-3, 200, Kittitas; Ryan Robertson, QB, 6-3, 186, Eastlake; Griffin Squires, ATH, 6-3, 220, Chehalis; Tony Thomas, WR, 5-8, 154, Lakes; Joey Tivnan, OL, 6-2, 255, Centralia; Matt Tuttle, LB, 6-1, 243, Shelton.

Western signs 16

BELLINGHAM — Defensive back Jordy Spriggs of Kentridge and DB/wide receiver Dustin Adams of Lake Stevens are among three White Chip recruits listed among the top 100 recruits in the state signed in a class of 16 recruits by Western Washington.

"I think we filled a lot of needs that we had," said coach Robin Ross. "The transfers especially will give us immediate help."

Dustin Adams, DB, 5-10, 180, Lake Stevens; Tyrone Alualu, DT, 6-1, 280, St. Louis (Honolulu)/Laney JC; Erick Cheadle, LB, 6-1, 205, Ferris; Donovan Cunningham, FB/LB, 5-10, 210, Heritage; Domenique Hill, RB, 5-11, 220, Mountain View (Portland); Sean Hurlbut, RB/DB, 5-10, 180, Meridian; Johnny Jackson, DB, 6-0, 180, Evergreen; Kelly Kurisu, OL, 6-3, 260, Lake Stevens; Marcus Law, LB, 5-11, 205, Sylmar, CA (Birmingham); Adrian Milsap, LB, 5-11, 190, Ferris; Sean McDonald, DL, 6-2, 270, Kalama; Travis Pierce, OL, 6-2, 295, Redmond/Reedley JC; David Slingwine, OL, 6-4, 280, Interlake; Jordy Spriggs, WR/DB, 5-11, 155, Kentridge; Kyle Tunney, RB, 5-7, 175, Evergreen; Nick Wallace, FB/DL, 6-1, 255, Squalicum. Not included on Western's official release: Kirt Terry-Springs, Evergreen HS; Henry Hagood, Lewis and Clark.