A Time To Honor Our Heroes

Teachers are Heroes

I have admired teachers all my life. Some of my biggest role models have been my teachers. To me they are truly heroes. And what happened in Moore, Oklahoma last week, just reinforces my love, admiration and respect for teachers.

A newspaper article by Jena McGregor of the Washington Post caught my eye the other day. Ms. McGregor summed it up by saying: "Some are calling them heroes. The teachers in Moore, Ok. insist they were just doing their job."

But one thing is for certain: the teachers who risked their own lives to protect the children in their care as a devastating tornado ripped the roofs off their schools were being leaders. In tale after heart-wrenching tale, they exhibited courage in the most terrifying of circumstances, calmed the fears of those around them, and put the needs of the people in their charge before their own. I can't think of a better way to describe a leader.

There are stories of Rhonda Crosswhite and Jennifer Doan, who used their bodies as shields. There's the unnamed teacher who reportedly underneath a car, shielding three students beneath her. And there was Tammy Glasgow, who told her students she loved them, and had them play their musical instruments throughout the storm as loud as they could, maybe in hopes they could drive away the fear of the storm.

Teachers may not hold lofty titles and they certainly don't take home executive-sized pay, but these Oklahoma teachers - especially those in Moore and Sandy Hook, and teachers all around the United States, show their students every day that real leaders are right there in their midst.

East Roster for the 19th Earl Barden Football Classsic

Here is the tentative roster for the East Squad for the 19th Earl Barden Football Classic, set for June 19 at Earl Barden Field on the campus of East Valley High School in Yakima.

Fabian Alverez, WR/DB, Cascade
Kody Bartlett, RB/LB, River View
Trevor Cooper, RB/LB, West Valley (Yakima)
Zach Corean, OL/DL, Cheney
Derek Darlington, OL/LB, Cascade
Brady Dixon, TE/LB, Royal
Dalton Estes, WR/DB, Waitsburg-Prescott
Derek Gilbert, OL/DL, Othello
Kyle Hall, OL/DL, River View
Dalton Hansen, RB/DB, Deer Park
Kenny Hood, OL/DL, East Valley (Yakima)
Ian Hurst, OL/DL, Asotin
Koleman Johns, WR/DB, Naches Valley
Austin Johnson, RB/LB, Mark Morris
Ben Johnstone, WR/LB, Chewelah
Kasey Kelly, WR/DB, Medical Lake
Shane Kelly, OL/DL, Mark Morris
Tyler Kretschman, QB/DB, Cle Eulum-Roslyn
Juston Lind, WR/DB, Othello
John Mellor, OL/DL, Colfax
Mitchell Millsap, RB/DL, Cle Elum-Roslyn
Tyler Morris, RB/DB, Liberty Christian
Jake Morse, OL/DL, Newport
Max Mueller, DE, Tekoa-Oakesdale-Rosalia
Alex Myrick, QB/DB, Royal
Ty Poole, RB/DB, Kittitas
Mahliek Roberts, RB/DB, Cashmere
Sergio Rodriguez, OL/LB, Deer Park
Eric Rosellini, TE/DB, RA Long
Alex Simpson, RB/DB, White Swan
Derek Smith, QB/DB, Chewelah
Tyler Stavnes, QB/DB, West Valley (Yakima)
Armando Tafoya, OL/LB, Quincy
Dylan Tarver, OL/DL, Cashmere
Matthew Trottier, TE/DE, Lakeside
Derek Valdez, OL/DL, Othello
Caleb Wiebe, WR/DB, ChewelaH

HEAD COACH: Jim Fisk, Chewelah
ASSISTANTS: Pat Gaffney, Chewelah, Keith Stamps, Deer Park, Zac Farnam, Newport

West Roster for 19th Annual Earl Barden Football Classic

Here is the tentative West Roster for the 19th Annual Earl Barden Football Classic set for June 19th at Earl Barden Field on the campus of East Valley High School in Yakima...

Lars Blix, QB/DB, Wahkiakum
Micah Breland, LB/TE, Foster
Andrew Brown, RB/DB, Tumwater
Jeremy Canniff, OL/DL, Burlington-Edison
Matt Cox, OL/DL, Capital
Dakota Creed, OL/DL, Archbishop Murphy
Tyrel Cronk, OL/LB, Mount Baker
Bret DeGraaff, OL/G, Lynden
Dustin Eaton, QB/DB-LB, Naselle
Ronnie Espedal, OL/LB, Hoquiam
Zach Fairhart, QB/DB, Eatonville
James Fakkema, OL/DL, Blaine
Victor Gamboa, WR/DB, Washington
Mario Gabbato, RB/LB, Blaine
Andrew Hamilton, LB/DB, Raymond
Lucas Hatton, OL/DL, Eatonville
Nolan Hoiness, RB/DB, Hoquiam
Derrick Holt, WR/DB, Lindbergh
Beau Iverson, TE/DL, Charles Wright
Matthew Jensen, QB/LB, Montesano
Josh Kraght, QB/DB, Lynden
Zach Lacey, OL/DE, Woodland
Jordan Leech, OL/DL, Steilacoom
Taylor Martindale, QB/LB, Tacoma Baptist
A.J. Milyard, QB/DB, North Kitsap
Sam Olney, LB/FB-TE, Squalicum
Justin Peterson, QB/DB, Lakewood
Brandon Pritchett, RB-WR/DB, Clover Park
Caleb Taylor, WR/DB, King's
Kai Van Sickle, RB/DB, Capital
Zach Vis, WR/DB, Lynden
Brad Wallace, RB-WR/DB, River Ridge
Daniel Watts, RB/LB, Cedar Park Christian
Cy Whitemire, RB/LB, Woodland
Jayde Wiitanen, Ol/DL-LB, Lindbergh
Kyle Willey, RB-WR/LB, Mary M. Knight
Ben Wright, OL/DL, Morton-White Pass
Dahlton Zavala, RB/DL, LaConner
Jaime Bryant, OL/DL, Tumwater

HEAD COACH: Aaron Poquette, Morton-White Pass

ASSISTANTS: Dan Teeter, Lakewood, Terry Jensen, Montesano, Lee Metcalf, Morton-White Pass

2013 Washington High School Football Coaching Changes

Here is a list of the Washington State High School Football Coaching Changes so far this year. My friend and colleague Dave Maley from Rosalia, WA. has put together this list of changes. Mr Maley continues to be the steward of the Washington State Football Records, a position he began when I published the Washington Prep Football Report. I am happy that Mr. Maley will continue in that position with The "A & B" Football Guide, as well as our Records and Research Coordinator.

If you have any additions to this list feel free to contact Mr. Maley at statking@hotmail.com

Archbishop Murphy (2A) NEW COACH:Jerry Jensen (1st)
Former Coaches: Roger Brodniak & Mike Pluschke (2012: last 7 games)

Auburn Riverside (4A) NEW COACH: Bryant Thomas (1st)
Former Coach: Bob Morgan (2007-2012)

Black Hills (2A) NEW COACH: Dominic Yarrington (Tyee, White River, Lindbergh, West Seattle)
Former Coach: Jack Zillah (1998-2012)

Centralia (2A) NEW COACH: Matt Whitmire (Pe Ell, White Salmon)
Former Coach: Steve Amrine (2011-2012)

Chelan (1A) NEW COACH:
Former Coach: Darren Talley (2006-2012)

Cle Elum-Roslyn (1A) NEW COACH:
Former Coach: Tony Kretschman (2010-2012)

Cleveland (3A) NEW COACH: Jeff Schmidt (1st)
Former Coach: Ronn Jackson (2011-2012)

Eastlake (4A) NEW COACH: Don Bartel (Enumclaw)
Former Coach: Pat Parnell (2012; last 7 games)

Evergreen (Vancouver) (4A) NEW COACH: Don Johnson Jr. (1st)
Former Coach: Charles Anthony (2009-2012)

Fort Vancouver (3A) NEW COACH:
Former Coach: Erik Ollikainen (2001-2012)

Foster (2A) NEW COACH: Matt Leonard (1st)
Former Coach: Jim Sutrick (2009-2012)

Garfield (Seattle) (4A) NEW COACH: Mark Stewart (Various stops)
Former Coach: David Myers (2011-2012)

Highline (3A) NEW COACH: Asosa Sallai (Chief Sealth)
Formner Coach: Juan Cotto (2008-2012)

Hockinson (2A) NEW COACH: Brian Schott (1st)
Former Coach: Rick Steele (2004-2012)

Hoquiam (1A) NEW COACH: Rick Moore (Aberdeen)
Former Coach: Jason Ronquillo (2007-2012)

Inglemoor (4A) NEW COACH: Danile (OJ) Baddeley (1st)
Former Coach: Frank Naish (1979-2012)

Interlake (3A) NEW COACH: David Myers (Garfield-Seattle)
Former Coach: Jason Rimkus (2010-2012)

Kelso (3A) NEW COACH: Steve Amrine (Centralia)
Former Coach: Pat Hymes (1996-2012)

LaCrosse-Washtucna (B-8) NEW COACH:
Former Coach: Jeff Nelson (1994-2012)

LaSalle (1A) NEW COACH: Cody Lamb (1st)
Former Coach: Jack McMillian (2004-2012)

Lindbergh (2A) NEW COACH: Matt Leamer (1st)
Former Coach: Pat O'Grady (2009-2012)

Meadowdale (3A) NEW COACH:
Former Coach: Mark Stewart (2000-2012)

Mountain View (3A) NEW COACH:
Former Coach: Adam Mathieson (2008-2012)

Northwest Christian (B-11) NEW COACH: Jim Nendel (1st)
First Year of Football

Olympic (2A) NEW COACH:
Former Coach: Brad Hamblet (2012)

Rainier (1A) NEW COACH: Terry Shaw (1st)
Former Coach: Jeff Johnson (2008-2012)

Redmond (4A) NEW COACH: Jason Rimkus (Interlake)
Former Coach: Jeff Chandler (2010-2012)

Rochester (1A) NEW COACH:
Former Coach: Chris Barnes (2012)

Rosalia (B-8) NEW COACH:
First Year of Football since 2002

Snohomish (4A) NEW COACH: Kai Smalley (1st)
Former Coach: Mark Perry (1995-2012)

Tekoa-Oakesdale (B-8) NEW COACH:
Former Coach: First Year of Football since 2002

Tekoa-Oakesdale-Rosalia (B-11) Dissolved Cooperative
Former Coach: Kaleb Madison (2011-2012)

Vashon Island (1A) NEW COACH:
Former Coach: Clay Eastly (2007-2012)

Wapato (2A) NEW COACH: Brian Hake (1st)
Former Coach: Orson Christensen (2001-2012)

West Seattle (3A) NEW COACH:
Former Coach: Dominic Yarrington (2011-2012)

Wishkah Valley (B-8) NEW COACH: Mike Mithcell (1st)
Former Coach: Brad Taylor Sr. (2007-2012)

Yelm (4A) NEW COACH: Jason Ronquillo (Hoquiam)
Former Coach: Randy Swilley (2008-2012)