All-Star Football Forges Friendship -- Poole, Lepiane Leave Wesco Rivalry Behind

-- EVERETT

For the first time in their careers, Robert Poole and Jordi LePiane stood side-by-side instead of face-to-face. Both liked the feeling, and intend to maintain the relationship.

Poole, a standout lineman from Marysville-Pilchuck High, and LePiane, a highly recruited tackle from Cascade, always have been rivals. Last week they became teammates and friends while playing for the West squad in the annual East-West All-Star game.

"It was fun getting to know Jordi," Poole said. "We've played against each other so much in football and wrestling, but we don't talk about that too much. It was good to have him on my side for a change."

Both Poole (6 feet 2, 250 pounds) and LePiane (6-3, 265) are agile and powerful off the ball. Off the field they're quiet.

Playing at right guard and tackle, respectively, the Poole-LePiane combination proved to be a positive mix on the field. The tandem fired off the line to open huge holes in the East defense during the first half of Friday's 35-19 West victory.

The majority of the West's running plays were designed to follow Poole and LePiane and away from Lynn Johnson, the Washington-bound lineman from Mount Rainier. Johnson injured his back Thursday and the success on the right side required little tinkering.

The success of the running game sparked the West to a 28-0 halftime lead.

The only major difference between the two Friday was the fact that LePiane has a scholarship to play football at Boise State University. Poole will play for the Broncos as well, but likely as a walk-on.

"Rob proved he is just as good as the other players who were more heavily recruited," LePiane said. "It's too bad that the recruiters look so much at how tall you are and how much you weigh and not at the way you can play football, because Rob can do that.

"I got the feeling from the recruiters who were after me that they were more interested in my height and weight, and that doesn't tell you very much about how I play football."

Poole said he didn't feel any extra pressure going into last week's practice sessions, but he did figure his game performance would raise his stature.

"I'm still hoping that I can get a partial scholarship, and this game should help," he said.