YAKIMA, Wash. — That five quarterbacks would be included in Blaine Bennett’s fifth Central Washington recruiting class might be misunderstood by some observers.

Yes, Bennett was himself a quarterback, first at Walla Walla High School and later at Whitworth University. But no, he doesn’t collect QBs as a hobby.

“To justify that, we only signed one quarterback last year and felt like we needed some young quarter-backs in the program,” Bennett said Wednesday on the release of CWU’s 28 signees. “But also, high school offenses have changed over the last four or five years, and a lot of coaches in our state are now putting their best athlete at that position. It used to be that the best athlete was probably a running back.

“So we feel like we’ve gotten some excellent athletes who are multiple position possibilities, although they’ll all start by being quarterbacks for awhile.”

Of course the Wildcats do have a quarterback history in the persons of Jon Kitna and Mike Reilly. The probable starter next season will be senior Ryan Robertson, but Bennett clearly wants to begin grooming QBs for the future.

The most highly rated of the newcomers, according to The Seattle Times, are 6-foot-1, 192-pound Jake Nelson of Lake Stevens and Drew Austin (6-2, 180) of Graham-Kapowsin.

Both were white chip selections by the Times — the highest rating is blue, followed by red and then white. Nelson completed 70 percent of his passes for 2,086 yards and 21 touchdowns with only four interceptions for the Vikings, who went 12-1 and reached the Class 4A state semifinals.

Three of Nelson’s teammates also signed with Central — wide receivers Brady Pahukoa and Christian Gasca and linebacker Korey Young.

Pahukoa’s father, Jeff, was an all-conference offensive lineman at Washington in the early 1990s and his uncle, Shane, was a UW safety.

Bennett also wants Central to become a faster team, and mentioned speed as a key ingredient his newest recruiting class.

“We signed some receivers, defensive backs and running backs with legitimate big-play speed,” he said. “This is probably the fastest class we’ve recruited since I’ve been here, and that was very important to us.”

Recruits are told they’ll redshirt during their true freshman seasons, although injuries and other circumstances have occasionally pressed some into varsity play sooner.

Bennett said David Fontenette, a 6-2, 228-pound tight end from Bethel High in Spanaway, is a physically mature prospect who could see playing time next fall.

“He’s an excellent athlete,” Bennett said of Fontenette, CWU’s lone Times red chip. “We tell them all they’ll redshirt, but you never really know. Sometimes a chance presents itself, even for a young guy who’s not quite ready but just gets thrown into the fire.”

Bennett also said the heights and weights listed with his signees are accurate as per measurements taken during the players’ on-campus visits.

“We signed one player who was 6-0 and 190 on his high school roster,” Bennett said. “We get him here and he’s 5-10 and 181. Those are two different people. In this case, he was a good enough athlete that it didn’t really matter.”

Next on Bennett’s agenda is to find a replacement for assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Joe Lorig, who left last month for a job at Arizona State.

Player, Pos., Ht., Wt., Last school, Hometown

Ryan Archibald, db, 6-1, 180, Kentlake HS, Kent

Drew Austin, qb, 6-2, 180, Graham-Kapowsin HS, Tacoma

Andrew Dodd, wr, 6-4, 211, Jackson HS, Mill Creek

David Fontenette, te, 6-2, 228, Bethel HS, Spanaway

Christian Gasca, wr, 5-10, 180, Lake Stevens

Charles Hall, lb, 5-8, 195, Lakes HS, Lakewood

Maurice Handcox, wr, 5-10, 158, Walla Walla HS

Kaden Humphrey-Butler, qb, 6-3, 176, Union HS, Vancouver

Hayden Klein, ol, 6-4, 273, Tumwater HS, Olympia

Levonte Littlejohn, rb, 5-10, 181, Lakes HS, Lakewood

Tanner Lucas, lb, 6-0, 215, Kentlake HS, Kent

Maxwell McIntosh, db, 6-0, 198, Rogers HS, Puyallup

Josiah Miller, wr, 5-8, 147, Oak Harbor HS

Matt Miller, dl, 6-3, 231, Gonzaga Prep HS, Spokane

Trevon Myhre, qb, 6-1, 217, Nooksack Valley HS, Everson

Jake Nelson, qb, 6-1, 192, Lake Stevens,

Matt Nilsson, te, 6-6, 235, Juanita HS, Kirkland

Brady Pahukoa, wr, 6-4, 203, Lake Stevens HS

Gabe Rego, lb, 6-1, 200, Union HS, Battle Ground

Joshua Richards, wr, 5-11, 160, Southridge HS, Kennewick

James Segura-Mitchell, wr, 5-10, 170, Timberline HS, Lacey

Tyler Stumph, qb, 6-3, 210, Stadium HS, Tacoma

Jordan Todd, rb, 5-6, 176, Interlake HS, Bellevue

Cole Vanderbilt, ol, 6-2, 283, Connell HS

Barrett Weston, dl, 6-4, 240, Tahoma HS, Renton

Blake Williams-Miller, db, 6-0, 194, Everett HS

Korey Young, lb, 5-11, 210, Lake Stevens HS,

Jesse Zalk, wr, 5-7, 155, Prairie HS, Battle Ground

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Former Central Washington wide receiver Justin Helwege will represent the Wildcats in the Casino Del Sol All-Star Game tonight in Tucson, Ariz.

Helwege is one of four NCAA Division II players selected to play in the showcase game.

Among Helwege’s teammates on the Stripes team is former Washington State quarterback Marshall Lobbestael.

Helwege was a unanimous first-team all-GNAC selection after his senior season at Central. He had 51 receptions for 717 yards and eight touchdowns in 2011. He finished his career ranked 12th in CWU history with 1,522 receiving yards and 13th with 99 receptions.

PREP WRESTLING

Ellensburg wins Westberg Invite

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Getting championships from Kamal Qteishat at 145 pounds and Tyler Coates at 170, Ellensburg won its own Ray Westberg Invitational on Saturday.

Sunnyside finished second, led by 126-pound winner Nathan Gonzales and 138-pound winner Isaac Guerrero.

Team scores: 1, Ellensburg 170 1/2; 2, Sunnyside 154; 3, Beamer 131; 4, Selah 127; 5, Cheney 125 1/2; 6, Quincy 118; 7, Chehalis 111; 8, Othello 103; 9, East Valley 93 1/2; 10, North Mason 86; 11, Eisenhower 73; 12, Sumner 73; 13, Kittitas 69 13, Kennewick 69; 15, Wapato 55.

Championship finals

106: Gabe Martinez (Q) d. Kyle Anson (Sel) 1-0. 113: Zach Joaquin (NM) d. Wyatt Scribner (Ell) 4-2. 120: Rene Gaspar (NM) d. Tre Uson (Bea) 7-4. 126: Nathan Gonzales (Sun) d. Dillon Dompier (Ell) 10-1. 132: Ares Carpio (Bea) tf. Logan Merkle (EV) 15-0. 138: Isaac Guerrero (Sun) d. Deshar House by forfeit. 145: Kamal Qteishat (Ell) d. Brian McCarty (NM) 6-1. 152: Elias Mason (Chen) d. Andrew White (Cheh) 8-4. 160: Anton Yates (EV) p. Edwin Gudino (Eis) 3:38. 170: Tyler Coates (Ell) p. Humberto Acevedo (Eis) 3:15. 182: Spenser Rassier (Chen) d. Zach Goodpaster (Sel) by forfeit. 195: Cameron Schlotter (Chen) p. Corbin Richardson (Ell) 2:51. 220: Nate Sorensen (Kit) d. Joey Gomez (Oth) 9-4. 285: Pedro Recondo (Sel) d. Robby Calvert 6-0.

Third-fifth place matches

106: Berkley Aguilar (EV d. Jordan Rhodes (Bea) 9-6; Homer Romero (Sun) d. Jose Marin (Kit) 3-2. 113: Will Bardezbain (Cheh) d. A.J. Garza (Oth) 7-0; Jesse Barajas (Sun) d. Christian Aleiandrez (Q) 14-6.120: Santos Guerrero (Sun) d. Daniel Espinoza (Wap) 5-3; Denver Parker (Cheh) d. Michael Hosfield (Ken) 4-2. 126: Lucas Garza (Oth) d. Noel Espinoza (Kit) 7-1; Uriel Heras (Q) d. Ty Burk (Cheh) 12-10. 132: Marco Gonzales (Eis) d. Jon Cruz (Sel) 3-2; Geff Duncan (Cheh) d. Jeremy Jackson (Sum) 6-5; 138: Kody Ergeson (Sel) d. Jed Schliesman (Sum) 11-0; Blake Haberman (Ell) d. Gerry Benitez (Q) 8-0. 145: Benji Montano (EV) d. Isais Jimenez (Q) 5-3; Roger Andrade (Eis) d. Trae Martin (Chen) 6-2. 152: Lance Gibson (Bea) d. Brock Schuh (Ken) 9-4; A.J. Atoigue (Sum) d. David Vidales (Sun) 3-1. 160: Antonio Melendez (Q) p. Sam Romero (Sun) 3:35; Matthew Melo (Oth) d. Jon Fowler (All Stars) 11-2. 170: Ricardo Rodriguez (Wap) p. Nick Hultberg (Sum) 2:49; Clay Weaver (All Stars) p. Daniel Flores (EV) 1:34. 182: Stephen Villareal (Oth) p. Nick Ehrenhiem (Sum) 1:57; Arturo Silva (All Stars) d. Perry Simpson (Ell) 6-2. 195: K.J. Skannel (Bea) d. Jason Glenn (All Stars) 8-3; Miguel Guzman (Sun) p. Joey Rocha (Sel) 1:23. 220: Austin Carmen (Sun) d. Gerardo Rodriguez (Ken) 13-2; Zach Corean (Chen) p. Josh Maio (All Stars) 1:42. 285: Andre Santiago (Cheh) d. George Rodriguez (Oth) 3-1; Alex Catzfey (All Stars) d. Osvaldo Campo (Wap) by forfeit.

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — For Blaine Bennett, finding a replacement for departed assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Joe Lorig is an obvious priority, but it’s a priority that will wait until Central Washington’s recruiting season is over.

“We’re going to get our recruiting class together,” Bennett said Friday, “we’re devoting all our time and attention to that first, and then we’ll sit down and identify the best person for that job. It’s a very important hire for us, with everything I expect that person to do.”

Lorig, who came to Central with Bennett in 2008, has been hired at Arizona State to join the staff of new coach Todd Graham.

“We’re trying to move some people around,” Bennett said, “and if possible we’ll try to hire two people. If not, then this guy needs to be the best person we can find for this job.”

Bennett said recruiting will be one of the areas in which Lorig will be missed.

“Joe did a very good job of recruiting and establishing relationships with high schools around the state,” Bennett said. “He’s a close friend — he played for me at Western Oregon — and we all wish him the very best. Obviously, opportunities like the one he’s getting at Arizona State don’t come along very often.”

Bennett said he will take over Lorig’s recruiting area, which consists of the northwest part of the state and runs south to the SeaTac area.

The CWU coach said he’ll have 13 recruits in Ellensburg today and another group in next Saturday. Signing day is Feb. 1.

COLLEGE WRESTLING

Yaks drop 2 matches in Oregon

Yakima Valley’s Jesse O’Camb and Jimmy Wilson each recorded victories over nationally rated competitors to highlight Yakima Valley wrestling action on Thursday and Friday.

O’Camb won by technical fall over seventh-ranked Tim Spangle of Southwestern Oregon Friday in Coos Bay while Wilson pinned ninth-ranked Mick Benden.

The Yaks fell Thursday to Clackamas 40-8 in Oregon City and 28-15 to Southwestern Oregon on Friday. Clackamas is the country’s second-ranked junior college team and SWOC is ranked 10th.

Clackamas 40, Yakima Valley 8

125: Sage Ornelas (C) d. Jesse O’Camb 18-4; 133: Konner Hopkins (YV) tf Fortino Sanchez; 141: Cody Randall (C) p. Chris Pena, :23; 149: Eric Luna (C) p. Travis Addy, :34; 157: Kyle Brown (YV) d. Caleb Cook, 6-4; 165: Eric Hensel (C) d. Ben Carter, 6-4; 174: Trent Noon (C) tf Mikey Ayala; 184: Austin Moorehead (C) p. Chris Burnett, 2:17; 197: Josh Nelson (C) p. Daniel Agao, 2:38; Hvy: Jake Laden (C) d. Steve Taylor, 5-3.

Southwestern Oregon 28, Yakima Valley 15

125: O’Camb (YV) tf Tim Spangle; 133: Hopkins (YV) d. Skyler Crislack, 7-1; 141: Joe Gardner (SWOC) p. Pena, :45; 149: Jimmy Wilson (YV) p. Mick Benden, :36; 157: Craig Trask (SWOC) d. Brown, 9-3; 164: Carter (YV) p. Kolbjorn Skaslestad, 6:18; 174: Kris Newport (SWOC) p. Ayala, 6:48; 184: Ryland Geiger (SWOC) d. Burnett, 12-2; 197: Bo Younker (SWOC) p. Agao, 1:00. Hvy: John Hatch (SWOC) d. Taylor, 10-5.

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Mike Reilly and Adam Bighill, two of the best players in Central Washington football history, will be honored at halftime of Saturday night’s men’s basketball game between the Wildcats and Montana State Billings in Nicholson Pavilion.

Reilly, the only quarterback in NCAA history to have thrown at least one touchdown pass in each of his team’s games for for consecutive seasons, and Bighill, a Division II All-American in 2010, helped the BC Lions win the CFL’s Grey Cup championship this past season in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Bighill was a special teams player last season while Reilly was the Lions No. 3 quarterback.

Both players will be available to speak with Wildcat Club members during a halftime hospitality gathering in the pavilion lobby.

PREP WRESTLING

CWAC

ELLENSBURG 47, QUINCY 23

At Ellensburg, Wash.

138: Blake Haberman (E) d. Gerry Beniquez, 8-4. 145: Isiah Jimenez (Q) p. Justin Tamez, 1:17. 152: Kamal Qteishat (E) tf Carter Bushman, 3:30. 160: Austin Lyman (E) d. Cade Wallace, 7-2. 170: Antonio Melendez (Q) d. Clay Weaver, 6-2. 182: Perry Simpson ((E)p. Steven Gomez, 1:59. 195: Tyler Coates (E) p. Ian Allen, 3:18. 220: Jason Glenn (E) p. Edward Balderas, :42. 285: Corbin Richardson (E) p. Diego Garcia, 1:13. 106: Gabe Martinez (Q) p. Travis Lyman, 1:27. 113: Christian Alejandro (Q) tf Coleson Mellergaard, 5:30. 120: Wyatt Scrivner (E) p. John Lindquist, 3:10. 126: Uriel Harris (Q) d. Dillon Dompier, 3-1. 132: Allyn Burvee (E) p. Jesus Sarabia, 1:38.

PREP SWIMMING

Central Washington League

RICHLAND 92, WEST VALLEY 87

(West Valley placers)

200 medley relay: 2, West Valley A (Nathan Matthews, B.J. Rodriguez, Evan Miller, Austin Dean) 2:04.48; 3, West Valley B (Austin Clement, Tucker Andis, Dawson Finley, Tim Gibson) 2:04.52. 200 free: 2, Kian Hausken, 1:57.31. 200 IM: 2, Garrett Rice, 2:18.68. 50 free: 3, Tim Gibson, 25.54. Diving: 2, John Swayne, 138.65; 3, Brian Pulsipher, 129.50. 100 fly: 2, Evan Miller, 1:06.91; 3, Tucker Andis, 1:07.97. 100 fre: 1, Hausken, 51.49; 3, Dallin Olander, 57.12. 500 free: 2, Lester Ryan, 6:13.60; 3, Turley Ryan, 6:18.61. 200 free relay: 2, West Valley A (Hausken, Olander, Gibson, Rice) 1:41.75; 3, West Valley B (Dean, Clement, Rodriguez, Andis) 1:50.19. 100 back: 2, Rice, 1:02.59. 100 breast: 3, Andis, 1:15.39. 400 free relay: 3, West Valley A (Olander, Matthews, Rice, Hausken) 3:48.30.

HANFORD 114, WEST VALLEY 71

(West Valley placers)

200 medley relay: 3, West Valley A (Matthews, Rodriguez, Miller, Dean) 2:04.48. 200 IM: 1, Hausken, 1:57.31. 200 IM: 2, Rice, 2:18.68; 3, L. Ryan, 2:33.67. 50 free: 2, Gibson, 25.54. Diving: 2, Swayne, 138.65; 3, Pulsipher, 129.50. 100 free: 1, Hausken, 51.49. 500 free: 3, L. Ryan, 6:13.60. 200 free relay: 2, West Valley A (Hausken, Olander, Gibson, Rice) 1:41.75. 100 back: 2, Rice, 1:02.59. 100 breast: 3, Andis, 1:15.39. 400 free relay: 1, West Valley A (Olander, Matthews, Rice, Hausken) 3:48.30.

Naches Valley results

200 medley relay: Naches Valley (Aaron Schmitt, Justin Standton, Daniel Whitmore, Andrew Brewington) 2:02.47. 200 free: Aaron Schmitt, 2:11.66. 50 free: Andrew Brewington, 25.40. Diving: David Whitmore, 190.50; Daniel Whitmore, 165.35. 100 fly: Dan. Whitmore, 1:01.27. 100 free: Brewington, 1:00.18; Justin Stanton, 1:11.56. 200 free relay: Naches Valley (Dan. Whitmore, Brewington, Schmitt, Dav. Whitmore) 1:48.06. 100 back: Schmitt, 1:07.11. 100 breast: Stanton, 1:24.27.

GIRLS BOWLING

WEST VALLEY 4, ELLENSBURG 0

At Nob Hill Bowl

Team scores: West Valley 785, Ellensburg 611; West Valley 704, Ellensburg 589. Baker games: West Valley 157, Ellensburg 102; West Valley 130, Ellensburg 124.

Highlights: Miki Campbell (WV) 353 (189); Ally Delozier (WV) 306; Shilo Epenesa (E) 294. Record: WV 8-2 league.

WENATCHEE 2, EISENHOWER 2

(Wenatchee wins on total pins)

At Eastmont Lanes

Team scores: Wenatchee 829, Eisenhower 716; Wenatchee 860, Eisenhower 760. Baker games: Eisenhower 166, Wenatchee 159; Eisenhower 156, Wenatchee 146.

Highlights: Megan Walls (E) 331; Lilly Waldon (E) 327; Marissa Obregon (W) 347, Danielle Yant (W) 344. Record: Ike is 4-3 league, 8-3 overall.

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — West Valley’s Taylor Tanasse and Kittitas’ Mike Reno have been roommates as well as teammates on Central Washington’s football team.

They are now teammates on the all-GNAC team.

Reno was a first-team selection while Tanasse was named to the second team, according to a university news release.

Reno, CWU’s nose tackle, had the best season of his career with 54 tackles, including six and a half for lost yardage and two and a half sacks.

Tanasse was a season-long force alongside Reno at defensive end. Both were seniors.

CWU’s first-team picks were sophomore offensive lineman Mike Nelson, senior receiver Justin Helwege, junior center Joey Tivnan and senior kick returner Armahd Lewis on offense, and Reno and punt returner Dominique Gaisie on defense.

On the second team were freshman running back Levi Taylor and wide receivers Lewis and Spain on offense,Tanasse and fellow lineman Andrew Oney, junior defensive back Genesis Fonoimoana and punter Josef Kistler on defense.

Conference champion Humboldt State had offensive and defensive players of the year (quarterback Mike Proulx and linebacker Jona Faraimo) and coach of the year (Rob Smith).

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

Farias, Najera on all-star teams

YAKIMA, Wash. — Tori Farias and Danielle Najera, sophomores who have helped Yakima Valley to its second straight NWAACC Tournament berth, have been named to the East Region all-star teams.

Farias, an outside hitter from Eisenhower, was named to the first team while Najera, a defensive specialist-libero from East Valley, made the second team.

Both players also were named to the region’s all-sophomore team.

The Yaks, who finished third in last year’s tournament, will meet Shoreline in a first-round match scheduled for 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Ore.

CWU’s Smith honored by GNAC

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Central Washington sophomore Erin Smith from Selah has been named to the GNAC all-conference honorable mention squad.

Smith, a middle blocker, joined teammates Jordan Offutt, Carlee Marble and Meg Ryan as conference honorees.

Offutt, a junior outside hitter, made the second team while Marble, a senior setter, and Ryan, a senior outside hitter, received honorable mention.

Smith averaged a team-best 0.85 blocks per set and also had 2.10 kills per set along with a .261 hitting percentage.

WV’s Joffs among Central signees

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Sarah Joffs, whose West Valley Rams won the Class 3A state volleyball championship Saturday night, was among five recruits signed by Central Washington, the university announced Tuesday.

Joffs joined Linden Firethorn of South Whidbey, Kiah Jones of Port Angeles, Kelsi Kemper of Prineville, Ore., and Erika Waldner from Tumwater.

The Thunderbirds won the Class 2A title on Saturday.

Joffs, a 6-foot middle blocker, played for WV coach Katie Hinckley, who as Katie Orgill was a CWU standout at outside hitter at Central for coach Mario Andaya.

COLLEGE SOCCER

YVCC’s Allen, Galvan honored

YAKIMA, Wash — Yakima Valley’s Katy Allen and Michelle Galvan have been named to the NWAACC’s Southeast Region all-star soccer team.

Allen was a sophomore midfielder-forward from Eisenhower and was among the NWAACC’s leading scorers with 16 goals and five assists, according to the organization’s web site.

Galvan was a sophomore midfielder-forward from Sunnyside and helped YVCC reach the NWAACC playoffs.

PREP BOWLING

Eisenhower 3, Moses Lake 1

At Nob Hill Bowl

Scores: Eisenhower 812, Moses Lake 711; Eisenhower 794, Moses Lake 698; Baker games: Moses Lake 171, Eisenhower 123, Eisenhower 126, Moses Lake 113.

Highlights: Megan Walls (E) 430 (218, 212), Jasmine Miller (E) 330, Jessica Craig (ML) 333, Allie Clemons (ML) 307.

Record: Eisenhower 1-0 league, 2-0 overall.

WEST VALLEY 4, DAVIS 0

At Minda Lanes

Scores: West Valley 765, Davis 621; West Valley 688, Davis 587. Baker games: West Valley 161, Davis 126; West Valley 146, Davis 141.

Highlights: Miki Campbell (WV) 181, 311; Ally Delozier (WV) 197, 369.

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Perhaps the last loud exhortation of Central Washington’s football season came well after the final gun Saturday.

As family and friends of the Wildcats shared handshakes and hugs after CWU’s 42-14 rout of Dixie State on a raw afternoon at snowy Tomlinson Stadium, someone watching a group of Central seniors providing a photo opportunity yelled, “Hey Oney — smile, damn it!”

To which Andrew Oney, Taylor Tanasse, Mike Reno and Tyrell Nielsen collapsed in laughter. If Oney’s grin had been any broader, his face would have broken.

So if CWU posted only half as many wins as it had the previous season — albeit with one fewer game — it wasn’t half bad in its finale, dominating the Red Storm in a fashion that belied the final margin.

“What we did this week,” coach Blaine Bennett said afterward, “was we told our players to forget about wins and losses and just line up, put smiles on their faces and play football. We only had 11 seniors but we had some great seniors, and we sent them out the right way.”

West Valley’s Tanasse and Kittitas’ Reno included, of course, defensive line stalwarts who on this occasion shared the spotlight with their fellow offensive trenchmen and two young running backs as Central finished 4-4 in the GNAC and 4-6 overall.

Provided ample room by their blockers, sophomore Ishmael Stinson and redshirt freshman Levi Taylor gained 129 and 126 yards, respectively, with Taylor scoring two touchdowns and Stinson one.

Junior quarterback Jose Mohler threw only 11 times, but twice connected with Justin Helwege — CWU’s only senior starter on offense — for touchdowns covering 20 and 37 yards.

Special teams got a piece of the action, too, with Dominique Gaisie getting the Wildcats’ first score on a 63-yard punt return.

Defensively, Central did not let Dixie breathe.

The Red Storm went the entire first quarter without a first down en route to being outgained 177-11 in total yardage. At halftime, the first down count was 14-4 in CWU’s favor and the hosts had rolled up 228 yards to Dixie’s 68.

“We played a lot better today — we played with the tempo we should have had all season, actually,” Tanasse said. “I’m not sure why we didn’t, but at least we did today.”

With the Red Storm not scoring until Cache Morgan’s 80-yard punt return with 4:07 to play, followed by final-minute TD against Central reserves, the defensive performance rivaled that of Oct. 8, when the Wildcats beat Western Oregon 41-10.

Dixie, which finished 1-7 and 1-10, with its lone win a 42-7 home defeat of Simon Fraser on Sept. 17,

“It comes down to just playing,” said Reno, who teamed with Tanasse for eight tackles. “We didn’t always do that this year, for whatever reason. We were determined to finish strong, though, and that was our focus this week, and at least we ended the season the way we feel like we should have played the whole season.”

The losing record was Central’s first since 2001, with the low point being a 35-24 loss the previous week at Simon Fraser. And the Wildcats saw a string of five consecutive GNAC championships snapped.

“None of us wanted the season to go the way it did,” Bennett said. “But we’ll have our banquet tomorrow and then all of us coaches will hit the recruiting trail.

“We’re happy things went the way they did today for our seniors, and we’ll try to make tomorrow as special for them as we can. For the rest of us, the 2012 season starts Monday.”

Dixie State 0 0 0 14 — 14

Central Washington 14 14 7 7 — 42

First Quarter

CWU — Dominique Gaise 63 punt return (Sean Davis kick), 10:09.

CWU — Justin Helwege 20 pass from Jose Mohler (Davis kick), 4:34.

Second Quarter

CWU — Levi Taylor 2 run (Davis kick), 14:56.

CWU — Taylor 3 run (Davis kick), :53.

Third Quarter

CWU — Helwege 37 pass from Mohler (Davis kick), 8:24.

Fourth Quarter

CWU — Ishmael Stinson 17 run (Davis kick), 14:25.

DSC — Cache Morgan 80 punt return (Jameson Schultz kick), 4:07.

DSC — Darren Carter 5 pass from Kaleo Nawahine (Schultz kick), :46.

DSC CWU

First downs 13 22

Rushes-yards 19-5 58-283

Passing yards 191 80

Comp.-Att.-Int. 21-42-2 6-12-1

Return yards 186 157

Punts-Avg. 7-33.4 3-36.7

Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-1

Penalties 4-50 7-75

Time of possession 21:21 38:39

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Dixie State, Jesse Ence 6-15, Stefan Cantwell 11-(minus 2), Zack Fox 2-(minus 8). Central Washington, Stinson 15-129, Taylor 27-126, Jeremiah Laufasa 7-33, Mohler 2-0, Anthony Stewart 5-(minus 3), Team 2-(minus 2).

PASSING—Dixie State, Cantwell 17-36-2-158, Nawahine 4-6-0-33. Central Washington, Mohler 5-11-1-73, David Weisner 1-1-0-7.

RECEIVING—Dixie State, Joe Don Duncan 8-75, Carter 4-33, Fox 4-33, Caleb Caple 3-41, Ence 2-9. Central Washington, Helwege 3-63, Armahd Lewis 1-13, Greg Logan 1-7, Taylor 1-(minus 3).

YAKIMA, Wash. — Some of Central Washington’s players might not have noticed, but Blaine Bennett did.

“They doused their coach with Gatorade,” Bennett, CWU’s head man, said referring to Simon Fraser’s reaction at defeating the Wildcats last Saturday. “It was a huge statement for them, saying we can compete in the GNAC and we can compete in (NCAA) Division II.”

Beating Central can do that for a program, even with the Wildcats enduring their worst season in 10 years. And today, Dixie State will have a similar opportunity.

The Wildcats (3-4 GNAC, 3-6 overall) and Red Storm (1-6, 1-9) will meet in Tomlinson Stadium at 12:05 p.m., in a season finale for both teams to be televised live on SWX.

Asked earlier this week if he and his players had turned the page from the distasteful events that transpired in Burnaby, British Columbia, Bennett said, “We’ve tried to. But it’s very disappointing when you go up against an opponent you really feel you’re better than, in a game you’re picked to win and should win, against a team you’ve beaten before, and you come out on the short end.”

What happened then, in a 35-24 defeat, is what CWU will try to avoid today. Last week the Clan hung with Central, trailing 3-0 at halftime and 10-6 through three quarters, before rolling up 29 unanswered points.

It was senior day for SFU, just as today is for the Wildcats, who will honor 11 players in their final CWU game. It will also be military appreciation day, with armed forces personnel admitted for $5 with valid military identification.

As Central had previously beaten Simon Fraser this season, it has defeated Dixie, 31-24 at St. George, Utah, on Oct. 22. The Red Storm’s lone win came against the Clan, 42-7 at home, before SFU won 62-56 in triple overtime three weeks later in Burnaby for its first-ever D-II and GNAC triumph.

While the Wildcats are young, with only six seniors among today’s 22 starters, Dixie State is even younger with nine freshmen slated to start.

“We’re a veteran team compared to them,” Bennett said, “but we’ve lost two games in a row and are looking around a little bit wondering what’s going on. But we’re playing at home, we have a good game plan and we’re going to try our best to send our seniors out with a victory.”

YAKIMA, Wash. — For Taylor Tanasse, Saturday represents one more chance.

One more chance to wear his crimson Central Washington football uniform. One more chance to trot onto the Tomlinson Stadium turf to the cheers of the Wildcats faithful, who on this occasion will include large numbers of family and friends.

One more chance to line up as CWU’s backfield-prowling defensive end and prowl the enemy’s backfield.

Central Washington University's Taylor Tanasse goes for Western Oregon University quarterback Evan Mozzochi during their game on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 (Sara Gettys/Yakima Herald-Republic)

Once more, with feeling.

And Tanasse, a former West Valley standout, has lots of them — physically and otherwise.

“There are times,” he says, “when I wake up in the morning and know the weather’s changing.”

A residual advantage, it turns out, from a four-year NCAA Division II tenure in the trenches. For Tanasse, other consequences have included a torn right shoulder labrum, injuries to both knees, the left of which will require surgery soon after the season, and a troublesome right ankle that will probably have to be rebuilt.

No wonder Central head coach Blaine Bennett, after a typically productive Tanasse performance, once said in a voice tinged with both amazement and respect, “Taylor Tanasse can barely walk.”

Even so, he’s done much more than barely play.

Continuing a trend of steady improvement, the 6-foot, 240-pound Tanasse has been a consistent force on CWU’s defensive front — aches and pains notwithstanding. He has been credited this year with 27 solo tackles and 16 assists, including a team-leading 14 stops for 52 yards in losses.

Tanasse has 21/2 sacks to his credit, has broken up four passes, forced one fumble and blocked two kicks.

Not bad for a player who, after incurring a knee injury during high school, saw college recruiters shy away with precious few exceptions. One that didn’t was Eastern Washington, and when then-Eagles assistant Beau Baldwin was hired as Central’s head coach in January of 2007, he continued his pursuit along with Wildcats defensive coordinator John Graham.

“After my senior year in high school, I wasn’t sure if I’d play at all,” Tanasse says. “But then I decided if I got an opportunity, I might as well take advantage of it.”

So after redshirting in 2007, he spent most of his first Central season adjusting to the speed and physicality of the college game.

Then Tanasse began having an impact during the Wildcats’ 12-0 run to a No. 1 national ranking and the playoff quarterfinals in 2009, Bennett’s second year as Baldwin’s successor.

A highlight that year occurred at Idaho State, where Central upset the FCS Bengals and former CWU coach John Zamberlin. Tanasse forced ISU’s quarterback to intentionally ground a pass from his own end zone, resulting in an automatic safety.

“The funny thing is,” he says, “I’d torn my labrum before that game and it hadn’t healed at all. So I wrapped it up, took some ibuprofen and played. It hurt, but I wasn’t thinking about it.”

This season has involved much more pain for Tanasse, and it hasn’t been physical. Regardless of Saturday’s outcome in the season finale against Dixie State, the Wildcats will finish with their first losing season in 10 years.

“I’m an extremely competitive person,” he says, “and I struggle with losing. We’ve lost some games here at Central this season, and to tell you the truth it’s opened my eyes to some things.

“Things don’t always go your way, and there are things you can’t control. So you kind of roll with the punches and do what you can individually.”

Bennett, meanwhile, is appreciative of such capacity, especially in the wake of last Saturday’s 35-24 loss at Simon Fraser.

“One of the really neat things about Taylor,” he says, “is how well he keeps it all in perspective. And I can’t overstate how intelligent he is, both as a person and as a football player.

“Taylor has such thorough understanding of technique and leverage — he’s not that big for someone playing his position — that he is able to play fast and think at the same time. Some people don’t understand the combination, but to be able to think and react and play at full speed is unique.”

Call it his own personal brand of Tanasse-ity.

Beyond football, he will complete a degree in public health and special health at the end of fall quarter, and embark on an internship at Del Monte Foods in Yakima. But Tanasse also hopes to attend graduate school at CWU next summer, focusing on athletic administration with an eye toward coaching.

But what about Saturday?

“It’ll be emotional,” Tanasse says, “but not emotional in a sad way. I’ll be able to take satisfaction in knowing I started something and was able to finish it, that I’ve had a successful career. My parents, grandparents and girlfriend will be there, and that’ll be neat because they’ve all been so supportive.”

Sort of how Bennett and the Wildcats feel about Taylor Tanasse.

• Roger Underwood’s Under the Radar blog is at sportsyakima.com He can be reached at 509-577-7694 or runderwood@yakimaherald.com

AUBURN, Wash. — Green River scored once in the fourth minute and again in the 27th, and went on to end Yakima Valley’s women’s soccer season with a 2-0 victory in a first-round NWAACC playoff match Wednesday.

YVCC, ranked sixth in the most recent NWAACC coaches poll, finished its season 12-6-1. Unranked Green River advanced with a 12-4-4 record.

Alex Mueller got the Gators’ first goal with an assist from Julie Heltne. Lynze Utz followed with an assist from Rayssa Lira.

“They were really fast and really tall,” said Yaks assistant coach Tammy Vela. “And we were not used to that turf.”

First half: 1, GRCC, Alex Mueller (Julie Heltne), 4:00; 2, Lynze Utz (Rayssa Lira (27:00).

Second half: No scoring.

Saves: Amanda Freisz (YV) 2. Cassy Duschel (GR) 2, Haylie Cannon (GR) 2.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Reno among 5 CWU honorees

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Mike Reno, a Central Washington senior from Kittitas, has been named to the GNAC all-academic football team.

Defensive tackle Reno was joined by four CWU teammates on the squad, which was announced Wednesday.

Reno has compiled a 3.24 grade point average in physical education and made the all-academic team for the first time. Other Wildcats on the squad were junior center Joey Tivnan (3.58 in math education), sophomore linebacker Stan Langlow (3.38 in business administration), junior quarterback Ryan Robertson (3.32 in business administration) and sophomore linebacker Stetson Shearer (3.22 in math and physics).

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

Smith on all-academic team

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Selah sophomore Erin Smith was among five Central Washington volleyball players named to the GNAC all-academic team Wednesday.

Smith, a middle blocker, has compiled a 3.57 grade point average. She has not declared a major.

Other Wildcats on the team were senior setter Carlee Marble (4.00 in the graduate athletic administration program), junior setter Devin Larson (3.59 in physical education and school health), senior outside hitter Meg Ryan (3.47 in business) and sophomore defensive specialist Chelsie Vea (3.37, major undeclared).

BURNABY, British Columbia — With 12:51 left to play Saturday, Central Washington’s Levi Taylor scored a touchdown to give the Wildcats an 11-point lead over Simon Fraser in what to that point had been a rugged defensive struggle.

Then, from the Wildcats’ standpoint, the unthinkable happened.

The Clan, in only their second year of NCAA Division II football, scored 29 unanswered points to stun Central, 35-24, and drop an already disappointing CWU season to a new low.

The defeat ensured the Wildcats’ first losing campaign since 2001, and might well have represented the program’s darkest moment since CWU blew a 11-point fourth-quarter lead and lost 28-21 to archrival Western Washington in the 2004 Battle in Seattle.

Central, 3-5 in the GNAC and 3-6 overall, closes its season at home next Saturday against Dixie State.

Ahead 17-6, the Wildcats saw SFU begin its comeback via Bo Palmer’s 15-yard touchdown run with 9:21 to play. A two-point conversion made it 17-14.

After an unproductive CWU possession, the Clan the drove for the go-ahead score on quarterback Trey Wheeler’s 9-yard pass to Bobby Pospischil.

On Central’s next play from scrimmage, Jose Mohler’s pass was intercepted and returned 43 yards for a touchdown by Adam Berger, and Simon Fraser completed the onslaught with 1:58 to go on a 1-yard TD run by Greg Bowcott.

The Wildcats finally answered with 1:37 left when Mohler, in his third start since replacing the injured Ryan Robertson, connected with Justin Helwege for a 37-yard score.

Central held Palmer, the Clan’s prolific running back, to 75 yards on 24 carries. But Wheeler, a true freshman from Seattle who threw for only 64 yards in CWU’s 37-17 win over the Clan on Oct. 1 in Ellensburg, hit 20 of 28 passes for 266 yards and two scores.

While Taylor ran for 114 yards on 19 carries for the Wildcats, Mohler was 15 for 39 for 198 yards.

Central Washington    0   3   7   14   —   24
Simon Fraser                0   0   6   29   —   35

Second Quarter

CWU — FG Sean Davis 37, 11:30.

Third Quarter

CWU — Levi Taylor 4 run (Davis kick), 12:57.

SFU — Tore Corrado 15 pass from Trey Wheeler (kick failed), 0:27.

Fourth Quarter

CWU — Taylor 12 run (Davis kick), 12:51.

SFU — Bo Palmer 15 run (Andrew Torkelson pass from Wheeler), 9:21.

SFU — Bobby Pospischil 9 pass from Wheeler (Ian Sternau kick), 5:20.

SFU — Adam Berger 43 interception return (Sternau kick), 5:01.

SFU — Greg Bowcott 1 run (Sternau kick), 1:58.

CWU — Justin Helwege 37 pass from Jose Mohler (Davis kick), 1:37.

                       CWU/ SFU

First downs 20/ 19

Rushes-yards 36-161/ 35-74

Passing 198/ 266

Comp-Att-Int 15-39-1 /20-30-0

Return yards 112/ 75

Punts-Avg. 4-35.2/ 5-34.6

Fumbles-Lost 3-1/ 2-2

Penalties-Yards 3-30/ 5-47

Time of Possession 28:50/ 31:10

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — CWU, Taylor 19-114, Ishmael Stinson 6-31, Josef Kistler 1-16, Jose Mohler 10-0. SFU, Palmer 24-75, Cole Tudor 1-5, Bowcott 1-1, Team 3-(minus 3), Wheeler 6-(minus 4).

PASSING — CWU, Mohler 15-39-1-198. SFU, Wheeler 20-28-0-266, Pospischil 0-1-0, Bowcott 0-1-0.

RECEIVING — CWU, Helwege 4-78, Anthony Spain 4-64, Leon La Deaux 3-23, Griffin Squires 1-19, Robert Akeo-Orr 1-9, Stinson 1-4, Armahd Lewis 1-1. SFU, Corrado 6-105, Pospischil 6-63, Palmer 4-57, B.J. Bryant 4-41.

YAKIMA, Wash. — The rules and field of play will be consistent with those of all NCAA Division II football games.

That said, it is generally accepted that teams visiting Burnaby, British Columbia’s Terry Fox Field, as Central Washington will do today, are in for a truly foreign experience.

“It’s tough to play up there,” CWU head coach Blaine Bennett said. “All of our GNAC opponents play well at home, and Simon Fraser is no different.”

Ah, but there is a distinction between this road trip and others the Wildcats make annually, including the 16-hour bus odyssey — one way — to Arcata, Calif., and Humboldt State.

Crossing the U.S.-Canadian border means having a passport, and such paperwork is not always easily obtained.

“It happens every year,” Bennett said. “You have transfers, like we have, and it’s not impossible to have 100 percent of their paperwork turned in on time, but it’s improbable.”

As of Thursday night, several Wildcats were still in documentary limbo for Friday morning’s bus departure. Just one more concern for Bennett and his players, who seek to end a disappointing season with back-to-back victories.

Winning today and next Saturday at home against Dixie State would leave CWU 5-5, its first non-winning season since 2001. But at least it wouldn’t be a losing season — Central was 4-7 in ‘01.

As per home-and-home GNAC schedules, the Wildcats (3-3 GNAC, 3-5 overall) and Clan (1-6, 2-7) have already met, with Central winning 37-14 on Oct. 1 in Ellensburg. But Bennett has vivid recollection of last season’s game at SFU in which the Wildcats struggled to a 10-10 halftime tie before prevailing 44-30.

But while Central amassed 508 yards of offense, it surrendered 459, including 234 on the ground. And Gabe Ephard, who ran for 222 yards, has since been replaced by Bo Palmer, a 5-foot-9, 185-pound junior who merits mention with Humboldt’s Lyndon Rowells as the conference’s best running backs.

Palmer gained 141 yards at CWU and has helped offset the growing pains of true freshman quarterback Trey Wheeler, who passed for only 68 yards in the earlier matchup. For the season, Wheeler has completed just 55 percent of his throws for 1,187 yards with seven touchdowns and nine interceptions.

Central’s Jose Mohler, meanwhile, has hit 61 percent for 701 yards and seven scores with three picks since replacing the injured Ryan Robertson two games ago.

“Jose’s played well,” Bennett said. “He’s managed our offense well, he’s become a better and better leader and he’s gaining some confidence.”

The coach also said linebacker Stan Langlow is doubtful for today’s game due to a knee injury.

CANYON, Texas — It was the type of back and forth game Central Washington was hoping for.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, it involved more back than forth during the fourth quarter Saturday night, with 20th-ranked West Texas A&M pulling away for a 49-35 non-conference victory.

It was 35-35 early in the fourth quarter, after Central’s Justin Helwege caught his second touchdown pass of the game, an 8-yarder from Jose Mohler.

The Buffaloes, however, went ahead on the ensuing possession and later, after CWU’s Josef Kistler punted 56 yards to the A&M 3 yard line, they got a 70-yard score on a pass from Dustin Vaughan to Brittan Golden.

“We couldn’t answer offensively,” Central head coach Blaine Bennett said via cell phone after the game. “They’re very talented. I wasn’t sure if we could put enough points on the board. We just couldn’t keep up with them.”

West Texas (6-2) was explosive offensively, with Vaughan throwing for 430 of the Buffs’ 549 total yards. He also passed for four touchdowns while Golden and running back Khiry Robinson scored three apiece.

“Their quarterback is a big kid, he’s 6-5 and a very accurate passer,” Bennett said. “Their receivers are talented and their running back broke a lot of tackles.”

Central (3-5) saw its hopes for a 10th consecutive winning season end, but can avoid its first losing campaign since 2001 by winning its last two games — next Saturday at Simon Fraser and at home on Nov. 12 against Dixie State.

Mohler, in his second start since replacing the injured Ryan Robertson, was 31 for 53 for 358 yards and four scores with two interceptions. Helwege had six catches for 124 yards and two scores.

“I thought going in that they’d be the best team we’ve seen,” Bennett said, “and walking off the field, I still feel that way. We made some plays in all three phases of the game, but we just couldn’t keep up with their offense.”

Central Washington 7 14 14 14 — 49
West Texas A&M 7 14 7 7 — 35

First Quarter

CWU — Leon La Deaux 56 pass from Jose Mohler (Sean Davis kick), 12:17.

WTAMU — Tommy Hampton 8 run (Sergio Castillo kick), 0:28.

Second Quarter

CWU — Levi Taylor 9 pass from Mohler (Davis kick), 7:20.

WTAMU — Khiry Robinson 10 pass from Dustin Vaughan (Castillo kick), 5:55.

CWU — Matt Mosley 8 fumble return (Davis kick), 3:26.

WTAMU — Robinson 2 run (Castillo kick), 1:03.

Third Quarter

WTAMU — Brittan Golden 26 pass from Vaughan (Castillo kick), 8:38.

WTAMU — Golden 16 pass from Vaughan (Castillo kick), 5:08.

CWU — Justin Helwege 22 pass from Mohler (Davis kick), 2:48.

Fourth Quarter

CWU — Helwege 8 pass from Mohler (Davis kick), 12:29.

WTAMU — Robinson 14 run (Castillo kick), 10:36.

WTAMU — Golden 70 pass from Vaughan (Castillo kick), 8:09.

                                CWU          WTAMU

First downs                   24                29

Rushes-yards          22-80               30-119

Passing                       358                   430

Comp-Att-Int      31-53-2             32-43-1

Return yards             114                     172

Punts-Avg.                  7-37.9              4-46.8

Fumbles-Lost                0-0                    1-1

Penalties-Yards            8-55                11-115

Time of Possession 30:42                29:18

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING — CWU, Mohler 9-34, Taylor 9-40, Ishmael Stinson 4-6. WTAMU, Robinson 12-74, Vaughan 5-21, Tanner Marsh 1-(minus 9), Hampton 82-4, Aarrhon Flores 4-9.

PASSING — CWU, Mohler 31-53-2-358. WTAMU, Vaughan 32-42-1-430.

RECEIVING — CWU, Armahd Lewis 2-31, Anthony Spain 3-35, Dominique Gaisie 1-12, La Deaux 5-89, Stinson 5-38, Taylor 6-26, Mike Nelson 1-(minus 1), Helwege 6-124, Robert Akeo-Orr 1-4. WTAMU, Robinson 4-37, Nathan Slaughter 1-6, Golden 9-170, Torrence Allen 2-17, Lance Ratliff 7-96, Jeremy Watson 5-50, Hampton 1-13, Trevor Hammargren 3-41.

YAKIMA, Wash. — There is a specific reason that Blaine Bennett is convinced his team must play its best game of the season today in order to win.

It’s because Bennett is convinced that West Texas A&M is the best team his Central Washington Wildcats will have opposed when the squads kick off at 4 p.m. (PDT) in Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.

“They’re better than Humboldt (State) and they’re better than (Texas A&M) Kingsville,” Bennett said Thursday night, referring to teams that have dealt the Wildcats three of their four losses. “I’ve seen them all on tape, and West Texas A&M is the best team our players will see this season.”

So the order is tall for CWU (3-4), which after losing to Humboldt for the second time this fall and seeing its hopes for a third-straight GNAC title end, set its sights on a 10th straight winning season.

Winning today against a 5-2 WTAM squad that is ranked 20th nationally and sixth regionally seems clearly to be Central’s tallest remaining hurdle. The Buffaloes of Canyon, Texas, which is just south of Amarillo, have lost only to NCAA Division I foe Colorado State (26-24), and to Abilene Christian, the latter squad ranked 13th in the nation in Division II.

“They’re very potent offensively,” Bennett said. “They put up a lot of impressive numbers.”

Among them are 466 yards and 35.9 points per game. Sophomore quarterback Dustin Vaughan has passed for 300.4 yards per outing and has thrown for 17 touchdowns with only three interceptions.

Four of his receivers have at least 25 catches, led by senior Brittan Golden with 32 receptions for 595 yards and five scores.

Bennett also spoke highly of junior running back Khiry Robinson, who has averaged 7.5 yards per rush.

“What we’ll have to do,” Bennett said, “is cover well in the secondary and slow them down. We also need to do a better job of securing the football than we did last week, even though we still won, and we have to convert third down situations better to keep our offense on the field and theirs off it.”

To that end, Central will run quarterback Jose Mohler less than it tried to do last week in the junior transfer’s first start at Dixie State. Its efforts to get Mohler outside to utilize his speed and agility were largely unsuccessful.

“We weren’t efficient trying to get Jose out on the edge.” Bennett said, “But he did throw the ball well, so we’ll try to mix the run and the way we’ve tried to in the past.”

Central will be without starting offensive left tackle Jon Murbach and reserve linebacker Abraham Muheize, who have been lost for the season with arm injuries.

The Wildcats will visit Simon Fraser next week before closing their season at home on Nov. 12 against Dixie State. They have not had a losing season since 2001 and haven’t lost five games in a season since 2006.