Samarzich got it done on the first try, earning the crimson team (offense) three points.Īs players filed out of the tunnel and onto the field, they were greeted by jumbotron introductions from renowned boxing and MMA announcers Michael and Bruce Buffer, who delivered customized WSU-specific messages through the popular Cameo app. Rather than a traditional coin toss, the scrimmage opened with a long snapper duel in which Simon Samarzich and Tyler Williams lined up nearly 25 feet apart and tried to snap a ball through the other’s legs. The Cougars got down to business when they needed to, but Saturday’s spring game wasn’t necessarily all business. “So that would be on Kannon and (Bazil) - that would be on all of them.” Fun and games “I don’t know that there’s many better positions to be in, as far as soaking up knowledge and being around people who have high aspirations for themselves and their career but also attack it the right way,” the coach added. The freshman will have a chance to learn under the tutelage of Borghi, a preseason All-Pac-12 First Team selection in 2020, and returning senior Deon McIntosh, who started for the Cougars last fall when Borghi suffered a back injury.Īsked earlier in the week about the opportunity in front of Katzer, Rolovich said, “that’s up to him, how much he takes in and absorbs from them.” In many ways, Katzer’s timing couldn’t be better. He initially committed to Riverside City College, a JC powerhouse in California, before reconsidering and accepting a walk-on offer from Rolovich and the Cougars. Spokane and finished the year with 3,171 all-purpose yards and 39 total touchdowns. Katzer rushed 247 times for 2,543 yards and 34 touchdowns as a senior at Mt. I hope he’s proud of himself, I know she’s looking down proud of him and hope he goes and hugs his family a little bit after this.” It can’t be easy for anybody, but for him to battle through and do what he’s done through 13 practices, get out here in Martin Stadium and I think he scored twice,” Rolovich said. As many others did during a COVID-19-impacted season, the ex-Washington 3A Player of the Year opted out of playing last fall and returned to the Cougars this spring. 29, 2020, Katzer tragically lost his mother to an ATV accident. Katzer will most likely fit somewhere behind at least Borghi, McIntosh and Bazil on WSU’s depth chart this fall, but Saturday marked his first opportunity as a college football player to demonstrate his abilities in a game setting – something that may have felt like a long time coming for the Spokane native. “I told him, he’s done an awesome job today showcasing his skills and his abilities.” “He’s very dynamic, a little guy that can get out of there and break a lot of tackles,” Harris said. On the second, he stutter-stepped through a crowd of white jerseys in the backfield, bounced to the edge, picked up a block from wide receiver Travell Harris and held off two tacklers before diving to the end zone. On his first touchdown, Katzer took an inside handoff from quarterback Victor Gabalis, split two defenders and squirted outside before crossing the goal line for a 6-yard touchdown.
With all-conference running back Max Borghi and three different backups – Jouvensly Bazil, Peni Naulu and Cole Dubots – unavailable to play in the scrimmage, Katzer was the beneficiary of additional carries, and led the Cougars in rushing attempts (9), yards (71) and touchdowns (2).
Spokane High, may not be the first, second or third option in WSU’s backfield this fall, but the freshman walk-on made the most of a unique opportunity on Saturday – and may have given Cougar fans something to look forward to years down the road.
Kannon Katzer, who rewrote GSL record books during his time at Mt. PULLMAN – It’s now been three years since Washington State’s annual spring scrimmage was held at Joe Albi Stadium, but the Crimson and Gray game still had a tinge of Spokane to it on Saturday.