EWU seniors get memorable sendoff at banquet

From A as in All-American to W for walk-ons, the most successful senior class in the history of Eastern Washington University football earned special recognition Jan. 24 at the team's annual banquet held at the Pence Union Building.

In front of a packed multi-purpose room filled with players, coaches, parents, fans and others, members of the group - some of whom date back to EWU's winning a national championship - were honored and in some cases, lightly roasted.

This senior class finished their careers as part of three Big Sky Conference championships and consecutive playoff berths. Some were redshirts when the Eagles defeated Delaware 20-19 in Frisco, Texas. One of those seniors, Mario Brown, played as a true freshman that season and started in the title game.

Eastern won 27 of 32 Big Sky Conference games and 40 games overall in the last four years. The 34 victories in the last three seasons was seven wins better than any other similar stretch in the school's football history.

As head coach Beau Baldwin took to the podium to single out his seniors, he joked that there was not enough room on the small stage for all the chairs necessary for the players who assembled.

"You've gotten soft and can't stand?" he deadpanned at the 15 of 20 players who were in attendance. Some, like Tevin McDonald and Jake Rodgers were absent as they were training in preparation for the April NFL draft.

Baldwin joked to Cody Hecker, who normally wore cut off jerseys in games, "This is the first time I've not seen your abs."

When Baldwin first recalled seeing defensive lineman Ashton Boothroyd, he saw a guy who was initially shy, but as a senior came out of his shell to calmly speak in front of large groups in his classes.

Defensive end John Goldwire came to Eastern hoping to be a wide receiver and wanted jersey No. 80, but that was not a number he could wear as a linebacker or any other defensive position.

Cody McCarthy fought through both injuries and a diagnosis of diabetes, but emerged as a four-year starter.

Baldwin offered his All-American punter, Jake Miller, time off during the winter to attend a concert. "He wanted to go to a Tool concert real bad," Baldwin said. But Miller earned it for his extra work, including subbing for injured placekicker Tyler McNanny in the Montana State game.

Long-snapper Cory Alcanter got accolades for always doing "what he was asked," Baldwin said. Few people rarely paid attention to the Riverside, Calif. native, Baldwin said, "Until he messes up." But blocked kicks of any kind rarely happened with Alcanter on duty.

Zack Johnson, a defensive end, transferred to Eastern from Washington State, wanted to "just have a shot" and was "an incredible fit," Baldwin said.

Seattle's Isaiah Jenkins never shied away from the grind, Baldwin said of the safety who rarely saw much playing time.

Austin Ehlo transferred to Eastern from Whitworth, but was in the unenviable position of wide receiver on an already deep and talented depth chart. Despite this, "He wanted to finish with this group," Baldwin said of the Lewis and Clark High School grad.

Kent, Wash's. Laren Wright, like Ehlo, was a wide receiver, but also a walk-on who sports a 3.55 GPA. While down the depth chart, Wright was a warrior who never missed a workout.

Baldwin hopes to have defensive end Evan Day back in 2015 and back on stage if a petition to the NCAA is successful for a sixth year to compensate for time lost to injury.

Sammamish, Wash. center Jase Butorac concluded an injury-plagued career. As a back-up center earlier in his career, Butorac "Prepped like he was taking every snap," Baldwin said.

Cory Mitchell fought through injuries in his Eastern career, but in limited time Mitchell caught important touchdowns and "Was so respected by teammates," Baldwin said.

Dylan Zylstra, sported long hair as a player but had a new more traditional haircut that surprised some. Emcee Larry Weir didn't recognize Zlystra's new look.

Last on the list was record-setting linebacker Ronnie Hamlin. Baldwin got a good laugh when he was sure Hamiln, who earned a sixth year of eligibility, was initially recruited by former EWU coach Dick Zornes and arrived on campus in 1995.

Baldwin extolled Hamlin for his "quiet humbleness who led by example."

(Other EWU football awards are found in the West Plains Scoreboard)

Paul Delaney can be reached at [email protected].