Greyhounds go indoors to practice
Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, November 30, 2005
As the snow piled up this week in Pullman, Bob Wollan was grateful for The Big Bubble.
That’s the term Wollan, head coach of the undefeated Pullman High football team, used to describe Washington State University’s air-supported, indoor practice facility, which has shielded Wollan’s Greyhounds from the harsh elements as they prepare for their biggest game of the season.
Pullman (13-0) plays the Archbishop Murphy Wildcats (14-0) of Everett for the Class 2A state championship at 10 a.m. Saturday in the Tacoma Dome.
More than just a safe haven from the snow that began dumping on the Palouse earlier this week, WSU’s indoor turf field, which opened in 2003, has helped Pullman acclimate to an environment similar to the Tacoma Dome. It’s quite a change for the Greyhounds, who have won their past few games on messy, muddy grass surfaces.
“It certainly can’t hurt. It’s about as close as we’re going to get to playing in (the Tacoma Dome),” said Wollan, who has guided Pullman to two championship games and a 32-5 record in three seasons at the school.
So how did Wollan get keys to The Big Bubble?
The football community in Pullman is tight. Wollan lives just three houses from WSU head coach Bill Doba. In addition, WSU offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Mike Levenseller and Robin Pflugrad – the Cougars’ assistant head coach/tight ends coach/recruiting coordinator – have sons on the Pullman High team (junior quarterback JT Levenseller and junior receiver/defensive back Aaron Pflugrad).
“There’s really nothing that goes on in (Pullman High) that isn’t affiliated with Washington State University,” said Wollan, who grew up in Centralia and previously coached at Rochester High near Olympia.
Wollan said Mike Levenseller and Robin Pflugrad offer tips upon request, but they’re mainly just supportive dads who attend Pullman games when it doesn’t conflict with their hectic WSU schedules.
“They’re great,” Wollan said. “They just want to watch their kids play.”
Wollan, the brother of Shorecrest High football coach Mike Wollan, leads a talented group of players against Terry Ennis’ Murphy squad this weekend. The Greyhounds have outscored opponents 544-133 this season, including 213-0 in the first quarter and 115-21 in three state-playoff games.
“Our kids have come out ready to go, obviously,” Bob Wollan said of Pullman’s tendency to start fast, “but I really can’t explain it. It’s a nice way to start a game because you can dictate the pace and take teams out of what they really want to do.”
Headlining the Greyhounds roster are two sturdy, swift running backs who have eclipsed the 1,000-yard barrier: 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior fullback Mike Thomas (1,291 yards, 18 touchdowns, 8.0 yards per carry) and 5-10, 205-pound senior halfback JC Sherritt (1,076 yards, 19 TDs, 9.1 ypc). Thomas, also a fine defensive end, is the Great Northern League Offensive Player of the Year. Sherritt, the GNL Defensive Player of the Year and a three-year starter, is also known as a fierce linebacker.
“Both of them have a good blend of speed and strength,” Wollan said. “JC also has good vision and the ability to catch the football.”
“It’s quite a 1-2 punch,” Wollan added. “I’ve never had the opportunity to coach two guys in the same (offensive) backfield with that combination of talent.”
Pullman’s offense is run-heavy – Wollan estimated its run-pass ratio at 65-35 – but the Greyhounds also throw with success. JT Levenseller has completed 52 percent of his passes (81-for-156) for 1,597 yards, 25 TDs and seven interceptions. His main targets are Aaron Pflugrad (34 catches, 687 yards, 10 TDs) and senior Ashton Gant (23 catches, 606 yards, 11 TDs).
Watch out for Gant, a track star who can blow a game wide open with his blazing speed.
“He’s got that ability to turn a short catch into a huge play,” Wollan said. “He’s really evolved as a receiver.”
