Former high school rivals now teammates at WSU

Alfred, Hannam strengthen Cougars’ offensive line

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

When Washington State snaps the football in its season opener on Saturday against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Qwest Field, center Kenny Alfred and tackle Micah Hannam will be right there on the line of scrimmage in a three-point stance.

Alfred and Hannam — both from Gig Harbor — are slated to start on the offensive line this year for the Cougars.

Alfred, a 6-foot-2, 300-pound Gig Harbor High School graduate, is currently ranked No. 1 on the depth chart at center. Hannam, a 6-4, 284-pound Peninsula High School graduate, said he’s been roaming between tackle and guard. As it stands, Hannam is slated to start at tackle.

After WSU’s tough season last year (5-7 overall, 3-6 Pac-10), the Cougars’ offensive line has been preparing in a new system under new head coach Paul Wulff.

Wulff, a former Cougar who returned to Pullman this year after a coaching stint at Eastern Washington in Cheney, has been installing a no-huddle offense.

“It’s more multi-pronged,” said Hannam, a sophomore. “There’s more ways we can attack defenses.”

Hannam added that the transition has been different because they didn’t use the no-huddle offense last year.

“I think it’s just because the defense has less time to change things if we’re in a no-huddle situation,” Hannam said. “We’re always moving around. They (defenses) have to keep up with us.”

The entire offensive line has a new coach, as well. Harold Etheridge was named the Cougars o-line coach in January after holding a similar position at Northern Illinois.

Both Alfred and Hannam are enthused about Wulff’s approach and leadership. They have been studying film and training for the season that begins this weekend.

Before they hit the practice field, though, they got a chance to relax by the river in Eastern Washington.

“We took some trips to the Dunes, which is a patch on the Snake River,” said Alfred, a junior. “We also played some video games, like Halo or Call of Duty.”

Basking in the shade is over now. Starting with Oklahoma State on Saturday, both boys will be looking to lay some big blocks.

“We’re just working on our technique a lot, which creates the running lanes and the first step on a run,” Hannam said.

Alfred echoed his thoughts:

“We’ve had a lot of focus on specific steps and exact body movement,” he said. “Guys are trying to adapt to a little different schemes.”

While scoring hasn’t been an issue — the Cougars averaged more than three touchdowns per game last year — keeping the other teams’ offenses off the field might assist a defense that allowed an average of 32 points per game.

The Cougars hope they can combat that problem with nine returning defensive starters.

Both players from Gig Harbor said they have learned a lot since their freshman seasons.

“As a first year, I had tunnel vision (last season),” Hannam said. “Now I’ve kind of opened my eyes up and I’m noticing the safeties, stack coverage or the alignment change to the defense line. Being able to see those things will help out a lot.”

Alfred said he’s learned to stay even-keeled.

“You kind of learn to adapt to situations,” Alfred said. “As a freshman, you can get frustrated. The older you get, the more you slow things down and react positively. That transfers over to all sorts of aspects of life.”

Reach sports reporter Marques Hunter at 253-853-9246 or by e-mail at marques.hunter@gateline.com