Being a Prosser football player the last couple of years has featured some heavy duty pressure.
Being the younger brother of a NCAA Division I athlete has its own unique pressure.
Danny Raap isn't just surviving that pressure, though. He is excelling under it.
The wide receiver leads the Mustangs in receptions (31), yards (482) and receiving touchdowns (6), all while being a captain as a junior and working to try and crack the rotation as a safety.
"He is a special athlete that has the work ethic to go with it," Prosser coach Benji Sonnichsen said. "He has the work ethic of a player that is going somewhere other than high school."
Part of that work ethic comes from wanting to live up to being a captain, part of it is because of how the Prosser football season ended last year and part of it is because of some advice his older sister, Claire, gave him once.
"She always told me that there will be someone better than you, so always remember that, take it to heart and work harder," Danny said. "She's always been there for me. She helps me out. She just told me to do what I do."
While he is busy living up to familial expectations, he also is following in the footsteps of some wide receivers that are household names in the area -- Kirby Moore and Cody Bruns.
"I think the success of the Moore boys and Cody helps him understand what it takes to prepare," Sonnichsen said. "The more removed we get from (2008), the kids see those guys as part of our history and our legacy.
"They hear the stories ... and we can use those stories of how you get it done and how you get to that level."
While there is no guarantee Raap will reach the level of those three Prosser legends, his coach thinks his attitude and diverse skill set give him a chance to play at the next level.
"We could tell from preparation that Danny would be very good if we could the ball to him," Sonnichsen said. "He has the physical ability. He blocks really well. He played running back in the past and is the type that can play tight end as well. When we think about designing plays everything just kind of involves Danny Raap in the process."
One of the reasons Raap has seen his production take off has been the quick learning ability of quarterback Ryan Fassler, who is in his first season starting under center.
"Through the summer we have been working out and trying to see eye to eye," Raap said. "He is a great quarterback. He really knows how to read a defense."
Of course, with weapons like Raap in your arsenal, there isn't much reading that must be done.
GRANDVIEW: The Greyhounds have had a trying season as they have roughly 20 players, but wide receiver Herman Herrera had a monster game last Friday in a 41-19 loss to East Valley. Herrera scored three touchdowns, all on defense, returning two interceptions for touchdowns and a fumble for another score. One of the pick-sixes was a 100-yard return.
RIVER VIEW: It appears there has been a quarterback change in Finley, as youngster Terran Brown has started the last two weeks in place of Austin Weatherby.
Weatherby missed the Sept. 30th game against Mabton because of injury, but also didn't start against Wahluke last week. Brown threw for 126 yards and three touchdowns in the win over the Vikings and added 147 yards and a score against the Warriors.
The Panthers face a stiff test, hosting Royal on Friday.
HERMISTON: The Bulldogs hammered The Dalles-Wahtonka last week and with a win over Hood River Valley on Friday, would all but wrap up a playoff spot in the four-team league. The top two teams advance this season.
Running back Bobby Adams has rushed for 1,128 yards and 11 touchdowns so far this season, including five in the victory last week.
