Ty Graham now providing encouragement

CHENEY - Ty Graham returned to his hometown for days like this Saturday when his Eastern Washington football team takes on North Dakota State in Fargo during round one of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs.

But the former Idaho Vandal - and before that Cheney Blackhawk - will have to do his work not on the field at the Fargodome, but rather on the sidelines as an inspirational leader following a season-ending injury vs. his former team, the Vandals, on April 10.

"I think when our name popped up on that screen this morning (April 18), we all got excited, especially with who we matched up with," Graham said of the FCS Selection Show. "And I think what the way we're gonna' approach that is we're excited, we're not scared."

Graham landed in Cheney in 2008 as a fourth grader when his dad, John, arrived with Beau Baldwin from Central Washington. It was a pivotal period for Eastern football, one where the Eagles began their nearly year-in, year-out appearance in the postseason.

While Eastern was winning its FCS national championship in 2010 and earning four semifinal game appearances, Graham was honing his skills as an outstanding Cheney High multi-sport athlete, but specifically football.

Graham, who was recruited by both Eastern and Idaho, distinguished himself in high school as a two-way performer for the Blackhawks at linebacker and running back. He played in the 2A/1A/2B/1B Earl Barden All-State football game in June of 2016 and had a pair of interceptions. He also scored a touchdown in a 25-0 East team win.

Idaho won the initial tug-o-war for Graham's talents where his dad got to help coach him for a short time in Moscow.

"Just having that opportunity to go to Idaho, I mean, I was very grateful for that and played a lot of good ball there from 2016 to 2018," Graham said. As a junior in 2018 he had 65 tackles, including 12 in 38-14 loss at Eastern at Roos Field in 2018.

But home eventually drew him back for a college experience that would eventually include the best of both worlds.

Unlike today when the transfer portal currently allows instant movement between schools for an athlete, Graham went from starter in Moscow to redshirt defensive scout team player after transferring from Idaho.

But he was ultimately rewarded by being named as a senior co-captain - along with quarterback Eric Barriere, running back Tamarick Pierce, linebacker Jack Sendelbach, offensive tackle Tristen Tayor and safety Calin Criner.

Graham's co-captains will try to do their part to move Eastern into the quarterfinals of the 16-team bracket and in his estimation, success against the Bison is a pretty simple thing.

Lifetime, Eastern is 1-3 against NDSU, winning 38-31 in a blizzard in overtime in the FCS playoffs in 2010, losing in overtime in Fargo, 50-44 in 2016 and 40-13 the following year in Cheney. The Bison claimed their ninth FCS title in 10 years in 2019, 34-24 in Frisco.

"We need to be on our P's and Q's all week and just do the little things right," Graham said. The bend, not break defense, of which he was an integral part is termed "gritty, not pretty," by coordinator Eti Ena, "Have played with no fear," Graham said.

As Graham ponders his football future, his other path in life with a college degree is well in hand. Now working toward his master's degree in business administration, Graham has already received his marketing degree from EWU with a minor in sports management. He had a 3.73 grade point average through winter quarter 2021.

Paul Delaney is a retired former Free Press Publishing reporter and can be reached at [email protected].