Rainier’s Andrew Allen, who led the Columbians to the Lewis and Clark 3A League football crown and a berth in the state quarterfinals, earned first-team Oregon Class 3A all-state honors at running back in a vote of the state’s coaches.

The 3A all-state squad was selected in December, but it was not announced until February because of eligibility questions regarding several athletes (none from Rainier).

Allen, who rushed for 2,355 yards and 27 touchdowns in 11 games, recently inked a letter of intent to play next season at Western Oregon University in Monmouth. He was joined the first-team backfield by Travis Moore of Gold Beach and Tyler Martin of Grant Union.

Vernonia running back Trever Gwin was named to the honorable mention unit.

Rainier’s Dalton Earlywine received a first-team nod at linebacker, and Allen was also named second-team punter. Honorable mention picks included offensive linemen Nick Huelter and Josh Ammons, and defensive lineman Kyle Palmer.

Monty Nash, who led Grant Union to the 3A state title with a 28-14 victory over Gold Beach, was named the state’s Coach of the Year.

Allen, along with seven other northwest Oregon football players, were selected to play in the East-West Shrine Football Game on Aug. 1 in Baker City.

Joining Allen will be Astoria quarterback/defensive back Jordan Poyer and Trevor Puckett, Scappoose wide receiver Josh Shown, Riverdale linebacker Jamie Helmsworth, Knappa defensive lineman John Benthin and offensive lineman Doug Montgomery, and Portland Christian fullback Nathan Rowlett.

Knappa’s Aaron Thornton was also selected to West coaching staff.

WIAA to review proposed amendments in late April

Adjusting school classifications to create a new private school division, adding a shot clock for boys basketball and new guidelines for transfer students are among nearly two dozen proposed amendments to be presented to the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association representative assembly in late April.

Amendments that are accepted will take effect either the first day of the 2009 or 2010 fall sports season.

A proposal to classify every high school in the state by either Private, 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A or B will be presented, with the enrollment parameters for each classification to be adjusted every four years to promote a more equal distribution of schools by class.

Private schools would be in their own classification except for schools with enrollments of 300 or more students, or less than 50 in grades 10-12. Private schools with 300 or more students would be placed in the 3A classification or higher, while those with fewer than 50 students would be placed in the B classification with the option to opt-up to Private, 3A or 4A.

Schools in the 1A and B classifications would have enrollment of less than 250 in grades 10-12, along with private schools with less than 50 students in grades 10-12. The divisions would each receive 50 percent of the schools in the enrollment area. The Class 4A, 3A and 2A divisions would receive about one-third of the remaining schools in each classification.

Another proposal is to modify boys basketball to include a shot clock of either 30, 35 or 45 seconds. Washington is currently one of eight states to currently use a shot clock for either boys or girls basketball, with the adoption of the 30-second clock in girls hoops.

According to a recent poll conducted by the WIAA, nearly two-thirds of boys basketball coaches polled were in favor of adopting a shot clock.

A proposal submitted by athletic directors at Hudson’s Bay, Columbia River, Skyview, Fort Vancouver and Heritage high schools would allow students to transfer once from a private school to the public school of residence without loss to varsity eligibility, provided the transfer occurred between school years.

Another submission by the athletic directors at Castle Rock, Kalama, Ilwaco, La Center and Stevenson would allow students whose family unit moves during the school year to a new school service area to become eligible at the new school, provided the transfer took place at the start of the semester/trimester of the current school year or at the start of the next school year.

Other proposals to come before the WIAA representative assembly include requiring a running clock if a 40-point differential is reached in the second half of a basketball game; requiring a running clock when a 45-point differential is reached in football; adding girls lacrosse as a WIAA sanctioned sport; and allowing coaches to coach senior players in one practice and one postseason all-star game.