Peninsula Football 2010
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Peninsula Football 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Peninsula Daily News
Roughriders just want to have fun New coach and new attitude giving PA hope Peninsula Daily News
PORT ANGELES — Football just might be fun again for the Port Angeles Roughriders. A year after hitting rock bottom with the first 0-10 season in school history, the Riders are climbing Mount Angeles, flipping truck tires and singing the school fight song after practices. The latter is a bit of a work in progress. Although, it’s likely one of the more minor roadblocks in Tom Wahl’s first year as head coach. “We’re trying to learn it,” Wahl said. “It’s amazing how many people don’t know the damn thing.” Perhaps that’s because the Riders have had few things to celebrate the past few years at Civic Field. A once-proud program finished off its worst decade in school history — 29-67 overall — after last season’s winless year under head coach Dick Abrams. Turn to Riders/3
Projected Starters Offense (Spread Pistol) Off. Coordinator: Bob Withrow LT — Raven Hopkins (Sr.) 6-1, 200 LG — Jack Harmon (Sr.) 5-9, 157 C — Lukas Cox (Sr.) 5-9, 210 RG — David Woods (Sr.) 6-0, 215 RT — Jesse Hansen (Sr.) 6-1, 206* WR — Kyler Morgan (Sr.) 6-3, 166 WR — Kenny Sewell (Sr.) 5-8, 160* WR — Cody Sullivan (Sr.) 6-0, 176* WR — Ian Ward (Sr.) 6-3, 174* FB — Nathan Cristion (Sr.) 5-10, 194* QB — Keenen Walker (Jr.) 6-0, 201 K — Max Bukovnik (Jr.) 5-10, 139
Defense (4-4 Base) Def. Coordinator: Vic Reykdal DE — Raven Hopkins (Sr.) 6-1, 200 DT — Jesse Hansen (Sr.) 6-1, 206* DT — Nick Ioffrida (Jr.) 5-10, 176 DE — Colby Adamich (Sr.) 6-1, 188 OLB — Eli Fiscalini (Jr.) 6-0, 193 MLB — Troy Martin (Sr.) 6-1, 213* MLB — Nathan Cristion (Sr.) 5-10, 194* OLB — Cody Sullivan (Sr.) 6-0, 176* CB — Rickie Porter (Sr.) 6-2, 182* S — Colin Wheeler (Sr.) 6-4, 192* CB — Skyler Gray (Jr.) 5-10, 147 P — Cody Sullivan (Sr.) 6-0, 176* Last year: 0-10 overall (0-7 in league) * Returning starter
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Keenan Walker of Port Angeles, center, hands the ball off to teammate Cody Sullivan.
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Peninsula Football 2010
Peninsula Daily News
Friday, September 3, 2010
Continued from 2 some enthusiasm in the community for football,” Abrams resigned his Wahl said. post a few months later “There’s a lot of kids who after one year at the helm, should be here who aren’t, forcing the school district to but we’ll do just fine with look for its seventh head the people we have. We’re football coach since 2000 definitely dealing with the and third in the past three doldrums. seasons. “Obviously, winning is In Wahl, a Port Angeles huge [for turning that football assistant since around]. But besides that, 1999, administrators found we focused on tradition, a familiar face and a mea- focused on pride and just sure of stability. trying to rekindle those Now lagging student things.” interest in the program — The singing of the Rider the Riders did not complete fight song is just part of a junior varsity schedule in Wahl’s effort to do that. 2008 or ’09 due to low turnout — is headed in the Building team unity opposite direction with 77 athletes out for this fall. Wahl, his seniors and That includes 18 several assistants climbed seniors. Mount Angeles during camp “Our class has just to help build unity. seemed to stay together,” He also devised a unique senior fullback/linebacker system of accountability Nathan Cristion said. that punishes team rules “We’ve all known these offenders: the dreaded coaches for a long time, so “workout wheel.” that might have helped, Players spin the wheel too. — divided into sections for “It’s nice not having to separate workouts — after bond with new coaches.” practice for each offense. As long as those turnout Whatever the spinner numbers remain steady, the lands on, he must perform Riders will be able to hold it immediately under the onto all three teams for the watchful eyes of Wahl. first time since 2007. Sometimes, that means That’s a step in the right flipping a truck tire up and direction for a program down the west end of Port sorely in need of one follow-
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Angeles’ practice field. “You’ve just got to change the attitude,” said senior wide receiver Ian Ward, the drum major for each fight song rendition. “Everyone is a big part in that. “We’ve just got to keep together, feed off of each
other’s energy and see what we can make of it. I expect big things. I’m not sure exactly what I’m expecting, but I expect a definite change from last year.” Change is coming. Turn
to
“Our class has just seemed to stay together. We’ve all known these coaches for a long time, so that might have helped, too. It’s nice not having to bond with new coaches.”
Nathan Cristion senior fullback/linebacker
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Zach Ennis of Port Angeles, right, participates in a tackling drill.
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Peninsula Football 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Peninsula Daily News
Riders: Pistol offense blend of two systems Continued from 3
“I think they are genuinely excited to get to this spread [offense]. It kind of opens the game up a little more. With the wrist bands [that allow for a no-huddle offense]. . . it’s fun.”
Tom Wahl Port Angeles coach
the only year Port Angeles reached the playoffs from 2000-09. But this won’t be the same pass-heavy offense. Offensive coordinator Bob Withrow plans to run the ball often, using Cristion and speedy slot receivers Kenny Chris Tucker/Peninsula Daily News Sewell and Cody Sullivan. When Keenen does throw The Port Angeles High School offense practices various plays during preseason drills. it, he’ll have big receivers Ward (6-foot-3) and Kyler Morgan (6-3) to target on the outside in addition to Sewell FINANCIAL ADVICE and Sullivan in the slot. Turn
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Port Angeles dropped down into Class 2A and joined the newly-constituted Olympic League as its second-largest school. The Riders also reverted back to a spread attack after recent failed experiments with the Wing T. The four wide receiver pistol offense is a blend of the Wing-T and the spread attack Wahl ran as the freshman team offensive coordinator. “I think they are genuinely excited to get to this spread,” Wahl said. “It kind of opens the game up a little more. With the wrist bands [that allow for a no-huddle offense]. . . it’s fun. “It’s fun for the audience, and it’s fun for the players to put the ball up in the air and do some of that stuff where they’ve got a little bit more control.” Quarterback Keenen Walker and his receivers worked on the attack during a summer 7-on-7 passing league that included league foes North Kitsap, Kingston and Sequim. And while it is far from refined, it’s not unfamiliar either. Walker said the team is more prepared heading into this season, thanks to the passing league and several other summer workouts organized by Wahl. “We’ve had more time [this offseason],” said Walker, who started several games under center last fall. “We’ve been practicing a lot longer, and we’ve had a lot more summer preparation. We’ve come into camp pretty ready. “We’re a little bigger and a little stronger now and just more focused on football.” Walker’s older brother, Stefan, torched defenses while operating a spread attack for the Riders in 2006;
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Peninsula Football 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
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Continued from 4 The Riders have five seniors on an undersized offensive line (David Woods is the biggest at 215 pounds), one a returning starter. That lack of size is common to assistant Vic Reykdal’s 4-4 defense as well. Not a single starter tops more than 206 pounds. In a new league, with a new coach and a new attitude, the Riders aren’t really thinking about 2009, Wahl said. “There’s no drag from the past,” he said. “We haven’t really talked about the past at all. We’re just moving forward. “Our objective is to win league and then see what happens after that. If we don’t have that as an objective, then I feel like we’re grossly underestimating Port Angeles head coach Tom Wahl watches the team during a preseason practice. our ability.”
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Peninsula Football 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Peninsula Daily News
Sequim won’t be backing down Young, small Wolves still aim for league title By Matt Schubert
Peninsula Daily News
Projected Starters Offense (Spread Pistol) Off. Coordinator: Erik Wiker LT — Jacob Cooper (Jr.) 6-1, 245 LG — Jack Clark (Sr.) 6-0, 210 C — Brendan Carpenter (Jr.) 5-11, 215 RG — Preston McFarlen (Sr.) 6-0, 180* RT — Chris Dahll (Sr.) 6-2, 265 WR — Nick Ramirez (Jr.) 5-8, 155 WR — Chase Bigger (Sr.) 5-11, 165 TE — Frank Cattelli (Jr.) 6-2, 210 WR — Joey Hall (Sr.) 5-11, 175* RB — Isaac Yamamoto (Sr.) 5-9, 185* QB — Drew Rickerson (Sr.) 6-2, 180* K — Mitch Koonz (So.) 5-10, 150
Defense (4-4 Base) Def. Coordinator: Matt Ashley DE — Clay Charley (Jr.) 6-0, 225 DT — Josh McElrath (Jr.) 5-8, 185 DT — Chris Dahll (Sr.) 6-2, 265 DE — Frank Cattelli (Jr.) 6-2, 210* OLB — Kahn Mills (Sr.) 6-2, 160 MLB — Isaac Yamamoto (Sr.) 5-9, 185* MLB — Preston McFarlen (Sr.) 6-0, 180* OLB — Chase Bigger (Sr.) 5-11, 165 CB — Tyler Forshaw (Jr.) 5-8, 155* S — Joey Hall (Sr.) 5-11, 175* CB — Drew Rickerson (Sr.) 6-2, 180 P — Drew Rickerson (Sr.) 6-2, 180* Last year: 10-2 overall (7-0 in league) * Returning starter
Chris Tucker/Peninsula Daily News
Sequim coach Erik Wiker talks heart-to-heart with one of his players during practice.
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That’s a whole lot of turnover to make up for, “So definitely, expectaeven for a program that’s firmly established itself as tions are high. “With determination and the Peninsula’s most consishard work, I think we’re tent winner since 2004. going to achieve that goal.” There is reason for hope Longstanding tradition in the Dungeness Valley, Senior captain Isaac outside of recent history. Yamamoto sounded confiSequim returns its two dent in his team’s ability to leading playmakers on keep that tradition going. defense in Yamamoto and “I remember my fresh- junior defensive end Frank man year we had a shirt Catelli, as well as three that said on the back, ‘Tra- other starters. dition never graduates,’” Yamamoto was an Allsaid Yamamoto, who will Peninsula linebacker with a don No. 25 as Sequim’s lead team-high 103 tackles last running back. season, while Catelli regis“As a senior I want to go tered a school record 10 out with a bang and I want sacks and had 59 tackles. to keep that tradition going. Turn to Wolves/7
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SEQUIM — The beef is gone, as are most of the Sequim Wolves’ biggest playmakers from 2009. Erik Wiker’s expectations? Those remain in the same spot they’ve always been for Sequim’s successful head coach: sky high. “We’ve lost people before,” said Wiker, who enters his seventh season with a 53-14 record that includes five league titles and four trips to the state tournament. “This is what I tell my kids: Since my 8-year-old has been 1, we’ve lost one league game. [Outgoing linebacker] Clancy Catelli didn’t play in every one of those games. [Graduated left tackle] Thomas Gallagher didn’t play in every one of those games. “If we drop down one notch and everybody went up one notch, can’t we still beat everybody? That’s my theory.” That supposition will certainly be tested in the newly formed Class 2A/3A Olympic League this fall. Four of five starters on Sequim’s bulky offensive line — highlighted by AllState left tackle Gallagher — have moved on from last year’s Nisqually/Olympic League champions and 2A state quarter-finalists. The team’s top runner, Travis Decker, graduated as well after handing over the Wolves’ coveted No. 25 jersey to another rusher. And each of the team’s top three receivers — including Peninsula athlete of the year John Textor — won’t be around to catch passes from quarterback Drew Rickerson, either.
Peninsula Daily News
Peninsula Football 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
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Sequim Varsity Football Schedule Date Sept. 3 Sept. 11 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 7 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5
Opponent at Forks Meridian *Klahowya *at Bremerton *at North Mason *at Kingston *Olympic *North Kitsap *at Port Angeles 2A Districts
Time 7 p.m. 5 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. TBA
* 2A/3A Olympic League game Home games in bold.
“[The receivers] know what they are doing and I know what they are doing. In retrospect, it doesn’t really matter who’s out there, because they are running the same routes and everything, so it works just like last year.”
Drew Rickerson Sequim quarterback
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Continued from 6 cent (143-of-241) of his passes for 1,794 yards, 22 Rickerson also comes touchdowns and just five back with one year under interceptions. his belt in Sequim’s wideopen spread offense. Raw receivers The junior signal caller Of course, he’ll be targetwas an efficient passer for the Wolves through 11 ing inexperienced receivers games last season, having (not a single starter caught completed nearly 60 per- more than five passes in
’09) led by Catelli, Joey Hall and Nick Ramirez. “We’re clicking real well,” said Rickerson, who was in a 7-on-7 passing league with the group this summer. “They know what they are doing and I know what they are doing. “In retrospect, it doesn’t
really matter who’s out there, because they are running the same routes and everything, so it works just like last year.” Whether the almost completely retooled offensive line can protect Rickerson could be another matter. Turn
to
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Sequim returning quarterback Drew Rickerson gets ready to pass the ball during preseason practice. Rickerson returns for his second year at leading the Wolves.
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Peninsula Football 2010
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Sequim linemen jostle for position during a preseason practice earlier this summer. The Wolves must replace four starters on the offensive line.
Wolves: O-line gets retooled Continued from 7
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Wiker said he might spell Rickerson at quarterback from time to time with Catelli. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound multi-sport Catelli gives Sequim a different look with his ability to throw deep and run over tacklers, using above-average size and strength. Those attributes also serve him well on defense, where he presents a major problem for opposing left tackles at defensive end.
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“I would say [the line] will be the concern, but they’ve bonded and done well,” said Wiker, a former lineman himself for the University of Idaho. “I think now we can get away with a smaller line and a less experienced line with this offense, too. “We’re not going to be like three years ago, [when we were] ground-and-pound and in-your-face. “We’ve always had good lines.
“Last year, if you think “We’re going to make them a good line.” about it, the starting offensive line in the Senior Night One lineman returns game played a quarter. This Preston McFarlen is the offense we have now played the rest of the game.” lone holdover up front. “All our linemen were in He will switch from center to right guard this sea- [offseason workouts] every son, with senior Chris Dahll single day, our whole start(260 pounds) and junior ing five, working on speed, Jacob Cooper (245) the big- agility, lifting weights. “Everybody’s bench, gest of the bunch at left and everybody’s squat and right tackle, respectively. “We lost a lot, but we power clean, and all jumped also have kids that are at least 50 pounds all the going to step up and do way across the line this their job,” McFarlen said. summer.”
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Peninsula Football 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Wolves: Enter
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Continued from 8 Port Angeles now in the mix (as well as 3A Bremerton). Still, Wiker envisions a Athletic junior Clay Charley will line up on the season much like 2007. That year Sequim came other end of the Wolves’ 4-4 defense, giving them a for- in inexperienced but managed to win a league title midable pass rush. And in Yamamoto, they before narrowly losing a 2A have a middle linebacker first-round playoff game at with the ability to go side- second-ranked Tumwater. “We could have lost five line to sideline. “He understands more games that year, but offenses, reads them, we happened to win them,” watches film,” Wiker said of Wiker said, recalling the ’07 team’s numerous nail-biting Yamamoto. “He is the best linebacker victories. “I think it could be a I’ve ever taught by far.” The Wolves enter a new year like that, which within era in the 2A/3A Olympic two minutes of playing time could be 5-4, or the other League. No longer is Sequim one ways around [at 8-3 and of the bigger kids on the league champions]. “We were a bit lucky, but block, with former 3A teams Olympic, North Kitsap and hard work pays off, too.”
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Sequim wide receiver Joey Hall catches the ball during a preseason practice earlier this summer.
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Peninsula Football 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Peninsula Daily News
Redskins expect to build on tradition PT players are youthful but they are determined By Matt Schubert
Peninsula Daily News
Projected Starters Offense (Spread Gun) Off. Coordinator: Butch Marx LT — Justin Boland (Sr.) 6-2, 225 LG — Zander Krach (Jr.) 5-8, 170 C — Zac Olson (Sr.) 6-1, 205* RG — Marko Herr (Sr.) 5-11, 185 RT — Justin Powers (Sr.) 5-9, 245 WR — Conakry Coggins (Sr.) 5-11, 165 WR — Matt Juran (Sr.) 6-3, 180 WR — Austin Graham (Jr.) 6-0, 170 WR — Robert Ristick (Sr.) 6-2, 170 FB — Mel Thorton (So.) 5-10, 165 QB — Kyle Kelly (So.) 6-0, 160 K — Kody Whipple (Sr.) 5-10, 185
Defense (4-4 Base) Def. Coordinator: Tom Webster DE — Matt Juran (Sr.) 6-3, 180* DT — Justin Powers (Sr.) 5-9, 245 DT — Justin Boland (Sr.) 6-2, 225 DE — Zac Olson (Sr.) 6-1, 205* OLB — Luke Noeldechen (Sr.) 5-10, 170 MLB — Marko Herr (Sr.) 5-11, 185 MLB — Austin Graham (Jr.) 6-0, 170 OLB — Mel Thorton (So.) 5-10, 165 CB — Kyle Kelly (So.) 6-0, 160 S — Conakry Coggins (Sr.) 5-11, 165 CB — Robert Ristick (Sr.) 6-2, 170 P — Kyle Kelly (So.) 6-0, 160 Last year: 7-4 (5-2 in Nisqually League) * Returning starter
Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News
Port Townsend receiver Conakry Coggins catches pass in front of cornerback Kyle Kelly. “They’ve practiced well, they’ve learned and they are ready to go.” There is some continuity with Webster at the helm. The longtime assistant has been a fixture in Port
Townsend athletics ever since he arrived on campus in 2006, serving the football, basketball and baseball programs each year. He hasn’t tinkered all that much with any of the
Redskins’ schemes either. returning players, it’s almost Port Townsend will still business as usual. run the same multi-front defense Webster employed Turn to Redskins/11 last fall. The shotgun spread offense also remains. So for many of the team’s
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Gone is prolific starting quarterback Eric Thomas, his favorite receivers and all the linemen that allowed the Redskins to average nearly 28 points per game during the regular season. And gone is everyone — save for Matt Juran — from a defense that caused 44 turnovers and limited teams to 12 points or less in six games last season. “You graduate kids every year. Everybody graduated kids,” Webster said. “These seniors have been in our program either playing junior varsity or varsity. “These guys sat behind a group of very talented players last year, and now they are ready to go into prime time.
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PORT TOWNSEND — Tom Webster doesn’t like to use the “R” word. But if there were ever a time to describe a football program as “rebuilding,” it would have to be the 2010 Port Townsend Redskins. Never mind the fact that Webster took over the team from two-year coach Brian O’Hara during the offseason, or that the Redskins were without a junior varsity or eighth grade program last fall (the latter, actually, for the past two). The biggest indicator lies where it always does in these sort of circumstances: with a possible 34-man roster as green as the Memorial Field turf in early October. Still, don’t expect Webster to concede anything. “From year to year things change,” said Webster, the Redskins’ defensive coordinator the past four years. “Our seniors and some of our younger kids that have played in our program are really stepping up. This is their time to shine.” So few of them got that chance last fall. The Redskins rode a senior-loaded roster to their second straight winning season under O’Hara. After winning a threeway playoff against Orting and Vashon Island, Port Townsend reached the preliminary state playoffs for the first time since 2005. Yet all of the key pieces from that team left the program following its seasonending loss to Meridian. Port Townsend returns just two starters, one of whom played in just 2½ games before suffering a season-ending injury.
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Peninsula Football 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
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Port Townsend Varsity Football Schedule Date
Opponent
Time
Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Sept. 30 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29
at Coupeville 6:30 p.m. at Charles Wright 7 p.m. *at Vashon Island 7 p.m. *Lakeside 7 p.m. *at Cedar Park 6 p.m. *at Life Christian 7 p.m. **Cascade Christian 7 p.m. *at Orting 7 p.m. *Chimacum 7 p.m. *Nisqually League game **Homecoming game Home games in bold.
Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News
Sophomore Kyle Kelly takes over quarterback duties for Port Townsend.
Redskins: Offensive line green
Zac Olson Lone returning lineman
Peninsula rival Chimacum. That’s obviously a difficult road, especially for a team in Port Townsend’s position. “A winning record would be a giant success for us,” Thorton said. “It’s so many different new people at so many different, new positions. That’s why I think it would be a success if we got a winning record. “We have to rebuild our offense and defense.” There it is, that dreaded “R” word.
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learning curve at first, given that Juran is the lone returning player to start more than three games on defense last year. He actually led the Redskins in tackles per game last year with 83 in seven regular season games. He had a game-high 11 tackles in the Redskins’ 30-0 victory over Chimacum. Everything after Juran, however, strictly will be wait and see. “We have good athletes here,” Olson said. “A lot of the younger guys have been stepping up a lot. “Kyle Kelly and Mel Thorton, they’ll do really well this year. [Junior] Austin Graham . . . he’s going to have a great season. [Juran] had a great season last year filling in my place. “So I’m expecting a lot of good plays and some wins out of us.” The schedule does Port Townsend few favors. Starting with tonight’s game at Coupeville, the Redskins will be on the road in each of its first three games. In fact, the Redskins get only three dates at Memorial Field all season, one coming against Quimper
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Continued from 10 receivers to throw to, highlighted by seniors Juran, “Web has coached me Robert Ristick and Conakry ever since I was a freshman Coggins. While that group had in all three sports, so it’s not much of a change at all,” just four receptions among it Juran said. “He’s a good in 2009, it does have a couple of big targets in Juran head coach. “I like how he runs prac- (6-foot-3) and Ristik (6-2) tices and stuff. I don’t know and a certified burner in what he’s doing, but this Coggins (the Peninsula’s 100-yard year it seems like the team second-fastest dash runner last spring). is coming together more. Fullback Mel Thorton “Everyone is getting along, more so than in previ- should give the Redskins some speed out of the backous years.” The Redskins will be field as well. Perhaps the biggest quesyoung at the most critical position in offensive coordi- tion is whether the team’s nator Butch Marx’s spread overhauled offensive line — lone returner Zac Olson gun: quarterback. Sophomore Kyle Kelly played just 2½ games before takes the reins under center, injuring his knee — can following in the footsteps of make it work up front. “I say that we’re going to Thomas, who actually started his varsity career as be fine,” said Thorton, who will also start at linebacker. a freshman. “Even though it’s like a Kelly saw limited action in 2009, attempting just group of young guys, everyone is fighting for spots, so seven passes as a backup. He’ll surely throw the everyone is working really ball a lot more this season, hard.” although he’ll likely be more Webster said his defense of a run option than Thomas, will be just as adaptive as it a pocket passer who aver- has been in the past, throwaged 36 pass attempts per ing out four-, five- and sixgame as a senior. man fronts depending upon Kelly will have some the opposing offense. older, if not experienced, That might mean a steep
“We have good athletes here. A lot of the younger guys have been stepping up a lot.”
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Peninsula Daily News
Youthful Spartans look to compete Coaching change at last minute doesn’t help Forks By Matt Schubert
Peninsula Daily News
FORKS — Andrew Peterson sure has a knack for timing. Entering his second stint as Forks Spartans’ head coach, Peterson ran into many of the same hurdles that awaited him back in 2001. Just like then, he replaces a winning coach — Terry Jensen in ’01 and Ron Hurn now — with a whole lot of youth and a roster purged of many of its key contributors. Only this time around, the former NFL lineman had less than two weeks to figure out a plan of how to deal with it. “It’s not ideal by any means,” said Peterson, who got the job after Hurn resigned in early August because of scheduling issues with his new job. “I’ve been swimming up stream since I found out.” Forks garnered some momentum after posting back-to-back winning seasons in 2008-09 for the first time since Jensen’s departure. The Spartans reached the state playoffs in 2008, finishing 9-2 overall, then followed that up with a 5-4 showing in ’09.
Projected Starters Offense (Power I) Off. Coordinator: Andrew Peterson LT — Kieth Deckard (Sr.) 5-9, 215 LG — Jalen DePew (Jr.) 6-2, 240* C — Garrid Larson (Jr.) 5-10, 180 RG — Cody Parker (Jr.) 5-10, 160 RT — Nate Brock (So.) 6-0, 195 TE — Frank Noles (Sr.) 5-11, 170 WR — Alexis Ayala (Jr.) 5-9, 155* WR — Jonah Penn (Jr.) 5-10, 155 FB — Cameron Leons (Jr.) 5-10, 170 RB — Luke Brown (Sr.) 5-11, 175* QB — Brian Santman (Sr.) 6-0, 175* K — Alexis Ayala (Jr.) 5-9, 155*
Defense (3-5 Base) Def. Coordinator: Mike Marshall DE — Jalen DePew (Jr.) 6-2, 240 DE — Nate Brock (So.) 6-0, 195 NT — Cody Parker (Jr.) 5-10, 160 OLB — Frank Noles (Sr.) 5-11, 170* ILB — Cameron Leons (Jr.) 5-10, 170 MLB — Garrid Larson (Jr.) 5-10, 180 ILB — Martin Contreras (Sr.) 5-8, 155 OLB — Luke Brown (Sr.) 5-11, 175* CB — Tyler Penn (Jr.) 5-10, 155 S — Alexis Ayala (Jr.) 5-9, 155* CB — Brian Santman (Sr.) 6-0, 175* P — Brady Castellano (Jr.) 6-3, 185* Last year: 5-4 overall (4-3 in SWL Evergreen) * Returning starter
With seven starters on each side of the ball graduating last spring — including four of five offensive linemen — 2010 figured to be in for a bit of a rebuilding year. That appears to be even more the case now given
Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News
New Forks coach Andrew Peterson demonstrates moves for his players during preseason practice. Forks’ last-second coaching hire, young roster (only six seniors) and imposing schedule that includes a pair of Class 2A opponents (Sequim and Port Angeles) and a strengthened SWLEvergreen Division. The latter included the addition of former 2As Elma and Hoquiam, who replace Toledo and Winlock in the
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Evergreen. “It is a true rebuilding situation,” said Peterson, who assisted Hurn the past three seasons. “We’re young, we’re inexperienced and the difficulty of our schedule is extremely difficult.
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Forks Varsity Football Schedule
Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News
The Forks Spartans participate in kickoff drills during preseason practice.
Date
Opponent
Time
Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29
Sequim at Port Angeles *at Hoquiam *Rochester *Onalaska *at Montesano **Rainier *at Tenino *Elma
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
* SWL Evergreen Division game **Homecoming game Home games in bold.
Spartans: Rebuilding year for young Forks The run-centric attack has been Forks’ way even since Jensen took over the program in the mid-1980s. Opponents should expect a full dose of the run game with Brown, Forks’ leading rusher last fall with 538 yards and eight touchdowns in seven games. It’s the defensive side of the ball that will see the biggest changes this fall. Defensive coordinator Mike Marshall will line up his unit in a 3-5 base alignment, a switch from the 4-4 the team has run for years. The switch was made to
utilize what Peterson sees as a glut of multi-faceted athletes able to make plays in the run game and drop back into coverage. Among the linebackers expected to make plays are Brown, Leons and senior Frank Noles. “That’s where our personnel is,” Peterson said. “I’ve got one defensive lineman that’s got starting experience, and the rest of them are so untested, but I’ve got a lot of skilled guys. “It’s just the best personnel decision for us that we have, for now and for lon-
gevity.” Noles, for one, is a believer in the system. “I feel like the defense is going to score a lot of points for us this year,” he said. “We have a lot of aggressive players on our team. “Cameron Leons isn’t afraid to come up and hit. Luke Brown isn’t afraid to come up and hit.” Hitting has always been a Forks trademark, dating back to Jensen. The winning tradition he started, however, didn’t return until Hurn (18-12 overall) took over.
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Continued from 12 Santman, and last year’s ington and NFL Carolina leading rusher in tailback Panthers for one season. Although, Peterson’s A renewed focus on con- Luke Brown. Wide receiver Alexis knowledge isn’t exactly limditioning at camp also sent a message about exactly Ayala and fullback Cam- ited to trenches, according what Peterson expects out eron Leons also have signifi- to Santman. cant varsity experience. “He knows exactly what of them. The biggest holes to fill, he’s talking about on every “We have high expectations, and we expect [the quite literally, are on the position, not just the line,” Santman said. “He knows players] to respond to that,” offensive line. That unit lost four of five quarterback and wide Peterson said. “If they do, they do, and if they don’t, starters, with big left guard receiver. . . he knows what they’re not going to be on Jalen DePew (6-foot-2, 240 he’s talking about. pounds) the only player “With the younger playthe field. “I’m a no-nonsense type coming back with any expe- ers [Peterson’s NFL experience] is kind of a bigger of coach and that’s my phi- rience whatsoever. “With how young our deal. When you’re older, it’s losophy, and one thing we will be is, we’ll hopefully, be offensive line is, we’ll see if not so much that he was in we can manhandle people,” the NFL, it’s that he has all tough.” While the Spartans are said Peterson, whose line of the knowledge that comes dealing with numerous includes three juniors and with it.” Peterson doesn’t plan to losses, none are quite as one sophomore. Luckily, that happens to make too many changes to major as Peterson’s first gobe Peterson’s specialty as a the Power I formation around on the West End. That team lost an All- former offensive lineman offense that Hurn ran the State running back (WSU with the University of Wash- past three seasons. scholarship athlete Pat Bennett) and 16 other seniors, then finished 2-7. Peterson resigned after losing his high school teaching job that year, and Forks went through four more coaches before coming back to him this summer. Now, Peterson at least has the luxury of several 360-374-6161 skill position players coming back into the fold. South End of Forks on Hwy 101 On offense, that includes Plenty of Parking an experienced quarterback www.forksthriftway.com in second-year starter Brian
14
Peninsula Football 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Peninsula Daily News
Cowboys ready for another step up Veteran QB, talented lineman lead Chimacum By Matt Schubert
Peninsula Daily News
CHIMACUM — The Chimacum Cowboys won’t sneak up on anyone this fall. As the rest of the Nisqually League found out in year one of the Shawn Meacham era, these Cowboys can hit more than just baseballs. After posting the program’s first .500 season in more than a decade last fall, Chimacum took the first step toward shedding its reputation as strictly a baseball school. With several key elements back from last year’s team, it’s time to go one further, senior captain Devin Manix said. “I played on that [2008] team when we were 1-9 and not very good,” said Manix, last year’s leading rusher with 469 yards and six touchdowns. “Coming from that to just a totally different program where we went 5-5, it’s only a start. “We were the redeem team last year. We brought a little bit of redemption, but it’s not over. All that tells me is we’ve got to keep working. We can’t just let that be enough.” Of course, that was more than enough in 2009. After posting a 5-25 record from 2006-08, the Cowboys had lost all the momentum from their Class 1A state playoff appearance in 2005 (a 5-6 season). Being able to simply be competitive last fall made Meacham’s first year a rousing success. Now the ex-Chimacum Middle School coach has his team practicing with Baden leather footballs, the same ones used at state. And
Projected Starters Offense (Flexbone veer) Off. Coordinator: Shawn Meacham LT — Daryl Settlemire (So.) 6-0, 215* LG — Seth Ham (So.) 6-0, 210 C — Jordan Cossell (Sr.) 5-10, 180 RG — Joe Modispacher (Jr.) 6-0, 240* RT — Boone Garten (Sr.) 6-0, 260 WR — Derek Toepper (Sr.) 6-1, 180* WR — Dylan Brown-Bishop (Sr.) 6-1, 190 QB — Mason Moug (Sr.) 6-3, 180* RB — Devin Manix (Sr.) 6-1, 190* RB — Austin McConnell (Fr.) 6-0, 200* FB — Daryn Settlemire (Sr.) 5-10, 190 K — Dylan Brown-Bishop (Sr.) 6-1, 190*
Defense (4-4 Base) Def. Coordinator: Dan Dankert DE — Austin Johnson (Sr.) 6-2, 200 DT — Austen Maples (Jr.) 6-0, 250 DT — Joe Modispacher (Jr.) 6-0, 240* DE — Boone Garten (Sr.) 6-0, 260 OLB — Devin Manix (Sr.) 6-1, 190* MLB — Daryl Settlemire (So.) 6-0, 215* MLB — Daryn Settlemire (Sr.) 5-10, 190* OLB — Austin McConnell (Jr.) 6-0, 200* CB — Derek Toepper (Sr.) 6-1, 180* S — Dylan Brown-Bishop (Sr.) 6-1, 190* CB — Mason Moug (Sr.) 6-3, 180 P — Dylan Brown-Bishop (Sr.) 6-1, 190* Last year: 5-5 (3-4 in Nisqually League) * Returning starter
that’s not a coincidence. “That’s the ball we’re using exclusively just as a reminder that that’s the goal this year,” said Meacham, whose team finished fifth in the Nisqually. “We’ve got an atmosphere where we’re trying to bring the best out of the kids during practice. “They know what it takes to win, and we’re seeing it out here [at practice]. They are working hard and they are practicing hard. The attitude is really good, and there’s a lot of positive leadership.” Chimacum brings back 13 seniors on its 32-man roster. Almost all those seniors return with a year of start-
Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News
Returning quarterback Mason Moug expects to help lead the Chimacum Cowboys back to the playoffs this season. ing experience under Meacham, who coached many of the same athletes at the middle school. Thus, all of the schemes introduced to the Cowboys’ playbook last fall are nothing new. “I was reading an article about [second-year UW football coach] Steve Sarkisian, who thought his team was light years away from where they were last year. I really reflected upon that,” Meacham said. “We aren’t doing as much teaching this year as we were last year. We are more into the refine mode and adding to what we want to do based on our experience last year.
“We kind of understand how certain teams attack our offense, and so now we’re adding more things to counteract that. “Hopefully, a little change in scheme this year and kids understanding the concepts a lot better than they did at this point last year should translate into some better play.”
Veteran quarterback Among the returning starters is senior quarterback Mason Moug. Given the freedom to throw more in Meacham’s flexbone veer offense last fall, the 6-foot-3 signal caller completed 65-of-128 passes
for 798 yards and four touchdowns. Moug will likely get the chance to air it out even more this season. Meacham even hinted at employing a shotgun spread attack on occasion. “I feel like we’ve got a good grasp on what we need to run, what we need to do to be successful, really,” Moug said. “Last year was kind of more just getting into the new offense with the new coaches. This year we know what to expect. Hopefully, [we’ll] spread the ball around and get it moving.” Senior wide receivers Derek Toepper and Dylan Brown-Bishop, both 6-foot-
1, give Moug a pair of big targets to throw to. He’ll also have some experienced runners in junior Austin McConnell, last year’s second-leading rusher with 415 yards on 66 carries, and Manix. The big question mark will be whether the Cowboys’ green offensive line can make it all work. Only two starters from last year return up front. Although, one of those returners happens to be sophomore Daryl Settlemire, a 215-pound weight-room warrior who Meacham said has the potential to play at the next level. Turn
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Chimacum Varsity Football Schedule Date
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Sept. 3 Sept. 9 Sept. 18 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29
at Kingston Klahowya *at Cascade Christian *at Orting *Life Christian Vashon Island *at Charles Wright *Cedar Park *at Port Townsend
7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
* Nisqually League game Home games in bold.
Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News
Chimacum players participate in wind drills during preseason practice.
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are going to have to step out there and kick some up,” Meacham said. “They butt.” certainly like to hit, so I’m not worried about that. “It’s just whether or not they understand how to play the position.” “We Toss ‘em. The Cowboys will cerThey’re Awesome!” tainly be tested early. Monday Night They open the season “All You Can Eat” with a pair of Class 2A Pizza Buffet teams — at Kingston for P.T. & Chimacum Student Athletes and tonight and at home against their Families. Klahowya on Sept. 9 — in ✔-Out Our New their nonleague schedule. Party Room After that are games at Have An traditional Nisqually Awesome League powers Cascade Season!! Christian and Orting. 1102 W ater S t. “After the first game peoPort Tow nsend ple are going to see that we 360-385-7223 mean business,” Toepper said, “that we’re going to go 09117252
Continued from 14 the other middle linebacker position after playing safety “It’s ridiculous to think last fall, while Manix and that he’s just a sophomore,” McConnell will take the Moug said. “He was just liv- outside linebacker spots. ing in the weight room [this Those three were the summer]. Every time I was Cowboys’ second-, thirdin there he was just in there and fourth-leading tacklers for hours.” in defensive coordinator Added Toepper, “He’s just Dan Dankert’s scheme last a beast. We’re doing lineyear. backer drills and he’s killToepper (cornerback) ing kids, like 18-year-olds. and Brown-Bishop (safety) He’s just destroying them.” give Dankert some experiThat’s good news for the ence and athleticism in the Cowboys defense, since Set- secondary as well. tlemire figures to be a key But outside of junior contributor at middle line- defensive tackle Joe Modisbacker. He will make the pacher, the entire defensive switch to that position from line is new. the defensive line. “Defensively, we’re going His brother, senior Daryn to have some kids in new Settlemire, will line up at positions this year, and they
“Defensively, we’re going to have some kids in new positions this year, and they are going to have to step up. They certainly like to hit, so I’m not worried about that. It’s just whether or not they understand how to play the position.”
GO GET ‘EM BRUINS!
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Peninsula Football 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Peninsula Daily News
Neah Bay reloads with youth
09117259
Doherty leads talented and veteran group
Neah Bay Varsity Football Schedule
By Brad LaBrie
Peninsula Daily News
Date Sept. 3 Sept. 11 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 23 Oct. 29 Nov. 5
Opponent Time at Lummi 7:30 p.m. *at Evergreen Lutheran 1 p.m. *Crescent 7 p.m. *at Muckleshoot 7 p.m. *Lopez 7 p.m. *at Highland Christian 7 p.m. *at Quilcene 1 p.m. *Lummi 7 p.m. *Clallam Bay 7 p.m. * Northwest Football League game Home games in bold.
Keepsakes for sale
Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News
Neah Bay receiver Drexler Doherty (22) finds a hole during scrimmage. Cody Cummings in on defense. Standout senior running back Evan Bowechop, who received all-league honors, also returns. Not a bad trio to have in the backfield even though Doherty, who McCaulley says is one of the top quarterbacks in league, might be moved to a starting receiver spot. “Drexler has so many skills that we are just trying to find the best place to get the most out of him,” McCaulley said. “We’re not sure about the quarterback spot right
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now,” McCaulley said. “We’re grader. Greene threw a touchtrying to work a freshman into the quarterback posi- down pass in the Tacoma Dome during the state playtion.” offs, McCaulley said. “Dane has good speed Greene to step up but he’s pretty raw as a That freshman would be freshman,” the coach Dane Greene, who played added. backup quarterback and tailback as an eighth Turn to Red Devils/20
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NEAH BAY — Those Neah Bay Red Devils just can’t be kept down. Despite losing eight seniors to graduation, the defending North Olympic League champions are reloading for the new Northwest Football League. “I think we’re going to be OK,” coach Tony McCaulley said in his normal understated way. Starting his third year as the Neah Bay coach, McCaulley — a Clallam Bay graduate — hopes to add more victories to his outstanding 20-5 two-year record. The other three B-8 North Olympic Peninsula coaches are picking the Red Devils to be one of the teams to beat in league along with traditional state power Lummi. One of the reasons why McCaulley feels confident is that he has his entire backfield back. That includes two allNorth Olympic League and All-Peninsula players, junior running back Titus Pascua and senior quarterback Drexler Doherty, who received his postseason honors as a defensive back.
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It’s playoffs or bust for young Crescent Loggers always aim for the top of conference
Crescent Varsity Football Schedule
By Brad LaBrie
Peninsula Daily News
Date
Opponent
Time
JOYCE — The Crescent Loggers lost nine seniors from last year’s B-8 football playoff team. They have one senior and one junior returning. The senior has only one year of experience and the junior is coming off major knee surgery. Half the team are newcomers and they’re all small physically. Only 15 players were practicing the first two weeks of workouts. Easy pickings for the rest of the new Northwest Football League, right? Wrong. “We fully expect to make the playoffs,” fifth-year coach Tim Rooney said. “Every year that we field a team we expect to make the playoffs. If we don’t make the playoffs, we will be disappointed.” These Loggers are reloading. “We don’t rebuild,” Rooney said. A good reason for the confidence is third-year starting quarterback Joey Barnes, who is only a sophomore. “Joey is like having another coach on the field,” Rooney said. “We think alike.” Overall, like all the other North Olympic Peninsula B teams, numbers are down for the Loggers. The past two years Crescent has been averaging 20 to 25 players. But the lower numbers and the lack of seniors, again a problem all area B teams have this season, don’t make Rooney worry. “We have a really good group of kids,” he said.
Sept. 11 Sept. 17 Sept. 25 Oct. 2 Oct. 8 Oct. 23 Oct. 29 Nov. 6
Clallam Bay *at Neah Bay *Lummi *Highland Christian at Easton *Evergreen Lutheran *at Muckleshoot *at Quilcene
1 p.m. 7 p.m. 2 p.m. 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 1 p.m.
* Northwest Football League game Home games in bold.
Chris Tucker/Peninsula Daily News
Joey Barnes leads the Crescent Loggers during drills. Barnes is beginning his third year as the starting quarterback even though he is only a sophomore. “They have really good attitudes, they are working really hard and they are eager to learn. It makes practice nice.” Because the team is so young, Rooney and his coaches are feeding them a lot of fundamentals. Eight players return from last year while seven are newcomers.
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Rooney is expecting to pick up three or four more players once school starts, including a couple of foreign-exchange students. The lone returning senior is second-year player Andrew Trerise, a tight end and tackle on offense and a defensive end on the other side of the ball. The only returning junior is third-year athlete Austen Hutto, a running back and linebacker who is coming off major knee surgery. “We will find out in a couple of weeks whether he
Again, according to Rooney, the whole focus of Crescent is making the playoffs. “Just because we’re down in numbers doesn’t mean we can’t compete with the other teams,” he said. “Our new kids are up for the challenge.” A plus is that this is one of the hardest-hitting teams that Rooney has coached. “The kids are hard-nosed players,” he said. “They’re not afraid to hit. It will be interesting to get out there and smack some heads.” Quickness should overcome a lack of team size. “We definitely have team speed,” Rooney said.
09117234
More players
can go or not,” Rooney said. The backbone of this team, though, is the large sophomore class, which is led by Barnes, who has taken the Loggers to the playoffs for the past two years. This is a team that will have to be reckoned with for the next three years. “This should be an interesting year, an exciting year,” Rooney said. “The kids have big hearts and they are competitive.” Other sophomores to watch are running back and linebacker Eric Larson and tight end, running back, backup quarterback and “probably linebacker” Beau Bamer.
18
Friday, September 3, 2010
Peninsula Football 2010
Peninsula Daily News
Clallam Bay rebuilding team
Varsity Football Schedule
Young Bruins learning ropes in tough league By Brad LaBrie
Peninsula Daily News
Date
Opponent
Time
Sept. 11 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 16 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5
*at Crescent Bye Bye *at Lummi *Highland Christian *at Evergreen Lutheran *Muckleshoot *Quilcene *at Neah Bay
1 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m.
* Northwest Football League game Home games in bold.
Lonnie Archibald (2)/for Peninsula Daily News
First-year Clallam Bay coach Cal Ritter gives pointers to his team during preseason practice. “He’s also very good with the kids. We help each other out right now. We’re a pretty good combination. We work well together.” Clallam Bay is dominated by youth with seven combined eighth graders and freshmen but only five combined in the sophomore, junior and senior classes. Ritter hopes to pick up at least a couple of more players when school starts. He especially hopes to pick up senior running back Luke Wonderly, who has a couple of years experience but was on vacation during the first week of practice. The Ritter tradition continues as two young Ritters will be starters on the var
sity team. Sophomore Austin Ritter, Cal’s nephew, will start at quarterback while Cal’s son, freshman Calvin Ritter, will start at center. Turn
to
Clallam Bay quarterback Austin Ritter looks to pass while running back Matt Moore offers protection.
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is jelling despite having no real senior leadership. “They’re working well together,” he said. “They are pretty darn positive and they are encouraging each other.” It also helps that Ritter, who played for his uncle at Clallam Bay and graduated in 1992, has his sidekick to help, Moose Parker. Parker has been an assistant coach in the Bruins’ football program for the past 20 years, and he has helped Cal Ritter coach youth football, basketball and baseball teams. “He’s real knowledgeable and my go-to guy,” Ritter said about Parker.
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CLALLAM BAY — It can only get better for the Clallam Bay Bruins. Once a dominant presence in B-8 football on the North Olympic Peninsula, the Bruins have fallen on hard times with only one win in the past two years because of low numbers. That could change soon as another Ritter steps up to turn things around. First-year coach Cal Ritter, the nephew of iconic longtime Clallam Bay athletic director and football coach Andy Ritter, already is seeing better numbers for 2010. Currently there are 16 to 17 players out, which is similar to the other B programs on the Peninsula. “That’s quite a jump on the numbers we have had the past two years,” Cal Ritter said. “We have quite a few kids right now.” Ritter, though, knows it will take a couple of years for the Bruins to get where they want to be. With only one senior on the team, and another who may join the squad later, the youthful Bruins probably will take a few lumps from the more established programs this year. On the other hand, Ritter feels good about his players, and there’s always the possibility they can surprise someone. “We’re hoping to get the program back,” he said. “We’re building right now, and we hope to keep these young guys interested in the years to come.” Ritter already is surprised how quickly his team
Clallam Bay
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Family Restaurant/Lounge
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Good Luck, Rangers!
Highway 101, Quilcene 360-765-3161
Quilcene Varsity Football Schedule Date
Opponent
Time
Sept. 10 Sept. 18 Oct. 2 Oct. 15 Oct. 23 Oct. 29 Nov. 6
*at Highland Christian *Evergreen Lutheran Bye *at Lummi *Neah Bay *at Clallam Bay *Crescent
7 p.m. 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 1 p.m. 7 p.m. 1 p.m.
* Northwest Football League game Home games in bold. Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News
Quilcene head coach Alan Reimann conducts a cutting drill at a preseason camp.
Rangers are on way back Numbers are up as team drops to B-8 By Brad LaBrie
Peninsula Daily News
QUILCENE — A year playing junior varsity ball could have been a blessing in disguise for the Quilcene Rangers. Struggling with participation numbers, the Rangers went 4-3 last season playing JV only as a B-11 program. They dropped down to B-8 this year and are hoping to get their swagger back by playing varsity games that count in the new Northwest Football League. They could become a factor sooner rather than later
with improved numbers, three-sport standout Brandon Bancroft as the quarterback, some experienced players and several talented younger players. “We are cautiously optimistic,” third-year coach Alan Reimann said. “We’re definitely optimistic but we know we have a long way to go.” Quilcene will be working a lot on fundamentals in preseason practice in order to build a good foundation for the season ahead, Reimann said. Reimann knows the Rangers will need those fundamentals when they face the solid programs in the Northwest Football League. The new eight-team league will include Quilcene’s old North Olympic Peninsula rivals Neah Bay, Clallam Bay and Crescent as well as Evergreen
Lutheran, Muckleshoot, Lummi and Highland Christian. Lopez was supposed to be a member of the league but opted out about a week into the preseason. The Rangers lost about eight seniors from last year’s team but Reimann feels good about the returning players. “We’re going to be OK,” he said. “We’re going to eight-man football and we have some really good seniors coming back. “I feel good about the talent and experience we have.” Reimann expects to have between 18 to 22 players this season, and 15 are back from last year. “We actually have four to five seniors and they are great, great leaders. “They mean a whole lot for our team. We’re leaning on these guys to show the
young guys the correct way to do things.” That senior leadership and experience starts with Bancroft, the quarterback who also plays basketball and baseball. This will be his third year on the varsity after playing as a freshman but missing his sophomore season. Bancroft also plays safety on defense. Other top players coming back are Jake Murray, a three-year starter who plays center and defensive end; and three-year starter C.J. Schreier, a running back and linebacker. Schreier is part of a potent backfield that includes sophomore Edgar Perez, who was putting up big yardage numbers last year before he broke an ankle in the third game. Turn
to
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“We’re going to be OK. We’re going to eightman football and we have some really good seniors coming back. I feel good about the talent and experience we have.”
Alan Reimann Quilcene head coach
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Red Devils: A veteran group Rangers: Fast Continued from 16 Doherty, meanwhile, will be doing lots of things for the Red Devils on the offensive side of the ball. “He can throw the ball really well, he runs well and he also can catch the ball really well,” McCaulley said. If Greene works out at quarterback, that will give Neah Bay an added receiving threat with Doherty. The Red Devils will be solid in the line again with returning linemen Tyler McCaulley, Tony’s son, and Zeke Greene, a freshman who also will play defensive end. Seventeen players are out for Neah Bay football, and only three of them haven’t played for McCaulley before. “We have a good mix of seniors and younger players,” he said. Five starters are back including Drexler, Bowechop, Pascua, Tyler McCaulley and Zeke Greene. Greene was a starter on defense only. Right now the Red Devils are down in participation after having numbers in the upper 20s the past two years. “Losing that big senior class [eight players] really hurts,” McCaulley said. “We lost eight but only gained three.”
Lonnie Archibald/for Peninsula Daily News
Neah Bay head coach Tony McCaulley directs his players during practice.
“Lummi always is a real battle and Crescent always seems to reload with something. I don’t know about the other teams in the new league. Right now I don’t know what will happen.”
Tony McCaulley Neah Bay coach on top teams in league
The coach is hoping to pick up three or four more players once school starts. McCaulley is picking Lummi and Crescent as the teams to beat in league. “Lummi always is a real battle and Crescent always
seems to reload with something,” McCaulley said. “I don’t know about the other teams in the new league. Right now I don’t know what will happen.” Northwest Football League will be made up of
North Olympic Peninsula teams Neah Bay, Clallam Bay, Crescent and Quilcene. Other teams include Muckleshoot, Evergreen Lutheran, Lummi and Highland Christian. Lopez was supposed to be part of that mix but cancelled its season during the first week of practice. The Red Devils open the season Sept. 3 at powerhouse Lummi. “That will be a good test for us right away,” McCaulley said.
Bruins: Rebuilding from ground Continued from 18 play receiver and defensive end. Pollitte played two Freshman Matt Mohr years ago as freshman, will play running back missed his sophomore seawhile the lone current son but is back as an uppersenior on the team, John Teachout, is a running back classman. Like most B teams, Clalwho transferred from lam Bay does not feature Forks. Junior Cody Pollitte will good size but does have good
speed. Right now the Bruins just want to get competitive again. “We will do our best,” Ritter said. “We preach team work. It will take a couple of years to build.” Ritter is picking Neah
Continued from 19 they’re not sure if they will continue to live in the school “Edgar had some huge district after their moves. numbers,” Reimann said. “He was doing good.” Suarez anchors line Both Perez and Schreier Anchoring the line is have similar running styles. They are about 5-foot-7 and senior Fuastino Suarez, 160 pounds each, and they who has been on the team two years. He did not play are both quick. “They’re both really fast, as a freshman. Suarez is only 5-8, short shifty runners,” Reimann said. “They have good field for a lineman, but he weighs in at 240 pounds. vision.” “He is very strong and The two runners are just part of the quickness on the very quick,” Reimann said. The Rangers are going team. “We have good speed in into the 2010 season excited the skill positions,” Rei- because they know all of the mann said. games will count and they One of those speedy play- have a shot at the playoffs. ers is sophomore Kolby “Last year our goal was Schreier, C.J.’s younger just to have a winning brother. record,” Reimann said. The brothers make quite “The kids have a lot more the pair. At a football camp to play for this year and our this summer, C.J. was goals reflect that.” named the top running back Reimann didn’t want to of the camp and Kolby was say what this year’s goals chosen as the top receiver. are. “Kolby is extremely This season Reimann is quick,” Reimann said. “He expecting Neah Bay, Lummi also has great hands and he and Crescent to give the runs great routes.” “The two brothers set Rangers their biggest challenges. the tone for work ethic.” “Neah Bay has been very The Rangers also have a solid offensive line thanks solid and Lummi always is to the work of line coach Joe solid in eight-man,” ReiWhitsett, who is the girls mann said. “Crescent has been good basketball head coach in the last couple of years. the winter. “We’re not big on the line These teams are the stanbut our technique is really dard where we want to be.” Quilcene opens the seasound, thanks to Joe’s son in a nonleague game coaching,” Reimann said. against Highland Christian “That’s a plus for us.” That said, the coaching in Arlington on Sept. 10. The Rangers’ first home staff is a little unsure at this point who will be on the game is Sept. 18 against line because two linemen’s Evergreen Lutheran at families are moving and 1 p.m.
Loggers: Youth
Bay, Lummi and Crescent as the teams to beat. “Lummi and Neah Bay Continued from 17 are always tough and Crescent has good coaching,” he The coach is picking said. Neah Bay and Lummi as The Bruins open the the teams to beat in the 2010 season at Crescent in Northwest Football League. Joyce on Sept. 11. “We expect to compete
with those teams but they do have the track record,” Rooney said. Crescent opens the season at home against longtime rival Clallam Bay on Sept. 11 at 1 p.m.
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Sequim, Neah Bay to battle for titles PA, Rangers, Cowboys will be improved in ’10 By Matt Schubert
Peninsula Daily News
League Predictions
Here’s some predictions for each of the leagues North Olympic Peninsula high school football teams com8. Klahowya (2A) - The pete in this fall: Eagles will run the spread option after a dreadful ’09 campaign that saw them 3A/2A Olympic lose by an average margin of League 48-7. 1. North Kitsap (2A) — The Vikings had 90 athletes 1A Nisqually turn out this season. Few are League better than transfer and former Port Townsend Redskin 1. Cascade Christian Zane Minder (RB/LB). — The Cougars return tal2. Sequim (2A) — The ented quarterback Kyle Wolves lost a lot up front, but Stennes and leading rusher no program on the Peninsula Tyler Walrath from last has won more consistently year’s 1A runner-up team. than Erik Wiker’s (53-14 in 2. Orting — All the key six years). players from the Cardinals’ 3. Kingston (2A) — For- second-place squad are mer Riders head coach Dan going, but Orting reloads as Novick will face his old team good as any in the for the first time when the Nisqually. Buccaneers host Port Ange3. Vashon Island — The les on Sept. 24. Novick’s Bucs once-wayward Pirates (2-38 have won two games in three from 2004-07) have qualified seasons. for the postseason two years 4. Bremerton (3A) — in a row. The Knights have a big back 4. Chimacum — If Year in 215-pound Kyle Kennedy, One of the Shawn Meacham and four seniors blocking for era was about redemption, him. That should be enough this one is about making the to produce the Knights’ sec- playoffs. ond winning season since 5. Cedar Park Chris1993. tian — It was feast (26.5 5. Port Angeles (2A) — point differential in wins) or First-year coach Tom Wahl famine (38.7 in losses) for brings back the spread the 4-6 Eagles last year. offense in an attempt to end 6. Charles Wright — a 12-game losing streak and The Tarriers will need a new a three-year playoff drought. quarterback to lead their 6. North Mason (2A) — quirky A-11 offense with the The Bulldogs lost All-State departure of Brandon left tackle John Fullington White. but bring back speed and 7. Port Townsend — skill, highlighted by 6-foot-2, The Redskins put together 195-pound burner Tevin Wil- back-to-back winning sealiams at RB and CB. sons the past two seasons 7. Olympic (2A) — The but lost just about every Trojans go to the spread major contributor that offense after losing All-State helped them do that. 8. Life Christian — Last running back Larry Dixon season’s 0-10 campaign was . . . and 27 other seniors.
Chris Tucker/Peninsula Daily News
Crescent fifth-year coach Tim Rooney talks to his team during a preseason practice. The Loggers expect to challenge for a playoff spot in the Northwest Football League. a hard fall for a program that averaged eight wins in its previous five seasons. The Eagles will now co-opt a team with Seattle Christian.
1A SWL Evergreen Division 1. Montesano — This is the Bulldogs’ league until someone else takes it. They have won 26 straight league games under former Forks coach Terry Jensen. 2. Elma — Getting beat up in the loaded 2A Evergreen League for four years (10-29) humbled one of Southwest Washington’s more consistent winners since the mid-1990s. 3. Onalaska — Alleverything quarterback Dalton Ritchey is back for the Loggers, who are trying to make the 1A playoffs for the second year in a row. 4. Rochester — The Warriors were 3-6 last year but finished the season out strong with three wins in their last four games.
League playoff qualifications Olympic League: Top four 2A teams qualify for 2A state preliminary playoff crossover games against Seamount and SPSL teams. Nisqually League: Champion receives an automatic 1A state berth. Second through fourth place qualify for state preliminary crossover game against Northwest District.
5. Hoquiam — The Grizzlies drop down to 1A but lose many key athletes from a team that finished 4-5 and tied for fourth in the 2A Evergreen. 6. Forks — The Spartans have some experience at the skill positions. If their offensive line holds up, this ranking might be a little low. 7. Rainier — The Mountaineers have some real climbing to do after finishing sixth in the Evergreen last year. 8. Tenino — The Bea-
SWL Evergreen Division: Champion gets automatic 1A state berth and plays Trico champion for seeding. Evergreen second and third place teams played Trico second and third place teams in loser-out, winner-to-state games. Northwest Football League: Top four qualify for state preliminary playoffs.
vers are 2-16 since reaching the state playoffs in 2007. They were 0-9 in ’09.
Northwest Football League (8-man) 1. Neah Bay — The Pacific Coast League champions return their leading rusher (Titus Pascua) and passer (Drexler Doherty) after falling one game short of the 1B title game. 2. Lummi — Jim Sandusky’s Blackhawks have reached the 1B championship twice in the last five years.
3. Quilcene — A move down to eight-man football could be just what the doctor ordered for a program that had to field a junior varsity team only last year. 4. Crescent — The Loggers have reached the postseason each of the last two years. Even with several faces gone, they could make it three. 5. Evergreen Lutheran — The former 2B school drops to 8-man after failing to win more than one game the last two seasons. 3. Highland Christian — The Knights are still looking for their first winning season since the school’s name change in 2007. 7. Clallam Bay — The Bruins are still rebuilding after an winless campaign in 2009. 8. Muckleshoot — Rebuilding? How about “constructing.” This is the first year Muckleshoot fields a football team.
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Pac-10 expecting season of parity Huskies are in the mix for crown By John Marshall The Associated Press
PHOENIX — The Pac10’s football coaches went on a look-at-us road show to the East Coast in July, hitting Times Square, ringing the opening bell at NASDAQ and visiting ESPN’s headquarters before landing back on the floor of the Rose Bowl for a media meet and greet. Now it’s time to see if their teams can live up to the hype. In what may be its final official year as the Pac-10 — next year’s addition of Utah and likely Colorado, too, will make 12 teams — the conference is as deep and talented as it’s been for quite some time. There may not be a legitimate national-title contender and Southern California has a two-year bowl ban because of the Reggie Bush fiasco, but the Pac-10 has eight or nine teams that can contend for the conference title. “There is a lot of parity in this conference, there is no doubt about it,” California coach Jeff Tedford said. “Last year we had five teams with the same record. Very difficult to go through this conference unscathed. Very competitive. There is firepower on offense and a lot of great defenses.” Oregon is the favorite, by a slight margin. The Ducks are the defending conference champions after going 8-1 — 10-3 overall — and are coming off their first Rose Bowl since 1994. Oregon is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball, has a no-huddle offense
Preview that makes defenders’ heads spin and is chock-full of confidence after knocking USC off the conference throne for the first time since 2001. Still, it wasn’t a quiet offseason for the Ducks. The big blow was the loss of quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, a potential Heisman Trophy candidate, who was dismissed from the team after a second run-in with the law. That leaves senior Nate Costa and sophomore Darron Thomas in a battle that will likely last until just before the season starts. Running back LaMichael James, who set the Pac-10 freshman record with 1,546 yards rushing last season, was suspended for the season opener against New Mexico after an altercation with his ex-girlfriend that led to a guilty plea on a harassment charge. Two other players were dismissed from the team and two more were suspended for brushes with the law. “We’re just moving forward, looking at a new season,” defensive tackle Brandon Bair said. “It’s just like we graduated the guys that are gone.” USC made the Ducks’ offseason seem manageable. The Trojans, coming off a lackluster 5-4 conference season, were rocked by the loss of coach Pete Carroll, who left for the Seattle Seahawks, then were hit with heavy sanctions that included a two-year bowl ban after the NCAA ruled Bush and basketball player O.J. Mayo received improper benefits. The sanctions allowed players to transfer without having to take a year off and many did leave, leaving new coach Lane Kiffin with just
70 scholarship players — 15 below the NCAA’s limit — at the start of training camp. “The only way we’re going to be able to express ourselves is to win 13 games,” tailback Allen Bradford said. “We know it’s going to be difficult this year.” Following is capsules of the teams:
Oregon Ducks Key players: QBs Nate Costa and Derron Thomas, RB LaMichael James, DE Kenny Rowe, MLB Casey Matthews. Returning starters: 9 offense, 8 defense. Notes: Costa was slated to start two seasons ago before an injury and Thomas has drawn some comparisons to former Ducks QB Dennis Dixon, so the loss of Masoli might not slow Oregon’s potent offense much at all. Had nine games of more than 200 yards rushing last season including 391 vs. USC. Offensive line returns intact. Rowe had 11½ sacks last season.
USC Trojans Key players: QB Matt Barkley, WR Ronald Johnson, DT Jurrell Casey, MLB Chris Galippo. Returning starters: 5 offense, 6 defense. Notes: Coach Lane Kiffin draws lots of attention for what he says and how he acts, but he was 7-6 in his only season at Tennessee, with close loses to Alabama and Florida. Barkley started as a freshman and had an upand-down season with 15 TD passes and 14 interceptions. Trojans start season at Hawaii, which allowed them opportunity to play 13-game regular season.
Arizona Wildcats Key players: QB Nick Foles, RB Nic Grigsby, DE Ricky Elmore. Returning starters: 8 offense, 4 defense. Notes: New QB coach Frank Scelfo tutored eventual first-round draft picks Patrick Ramsey and J.P. Losman at Tulane. Wildcats finished a solid season with a thud, getting beaten 33-0 by Nebraska in Holiday Bowl. Defensive coordinator Mark Stoops, head coach Mike’s brother, left for Florida.
UW Huskies
Key players: QB Jake Locker, RB Chris Polk, WR Jermaine Kearse, LB Mason Foster, S Nate Williams. Returning starters: 9 offense, 6 defense. Notes: An accurate dropback passer, Locker is a Heisman Trophy front-runner and the likely No. 1 overall pick in next year’s NFL draft. Polk became the first freshman in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards (1,113) and caught 25 passes. The Huskies went from 0-12 in 2008 to 5-7 in their Cal Golden Bears first season under Steve Sarkisian and expect to Key players: RB Shane make another jump this Vereen, LB Mike Mohamed, season behind Locker. TE Anthony Miller. Returning starters: 8 offense, 6 Oregon State defense. Beavers Notes: QB Kevin Riley has had a mixed career at Key players: RB JacCal, but he’s a senior now quizz Rodgers, WR James and the Bears need him to Rodgers, DT Stephen Paea, find the consistency that LB Dwight Roberson, CB has eluded him. James Dockery. Returning Vereen led team with starters: 8 offense, 7 952 yards rushing last year, defense. filling in for first-round draft Notes: Jacquizz Rodgers pick Jahvid Best. was third in the nation with New defensive coordina- 21 rushing TDs, while his tor Clancy Pendergast was brother, James, led the Pacin NFL for last 15 years. 10 with 179.1 all-purpose yards per game. Stanford Cardinal The Beavers must find a Key players: QB replacement for QB Sean Andrew Luck, G David Canfield, who graduated. DeCastro, WR Chris Owusu, Sophomore Ryan Katz and NT Sione Fua, LB Shayne Peter Lalich, a transfer from Skov. Returning starters: 8 Virginia, will fight it out. Oregon State finished offense, 7 defense. Notes: Luck, projected tied for second in the Pac-10 as a possible first-round last season, just missing its draft pick, takes over the first trip to the Rose Bowl reins after Doak Walker since 1965 with a loss to Award winner Toby Gerhart rival Oregon. moved on to the NFL. UCLA Bruins Coach Jim Harbaugh has been mentioned as a Key players: QB Kevin possible candidate for NFL Prince, WR Nelson Rosario, and big-name colleges but WR Taylor Embree, LB has so far stuck with Stan- Akeem Ayers, S Rahim Moore, DE Datone Jones, K ford. The Cardinal are coming Kai Forbath. Returning off their first bowl appear- starters: 7 offense, 5 defense. ance since 2001.
Notes: The Bruins are making steady progress under coach Rick Neuheisel, winning seven games last season and four the year before, and have had two stellar recruiting classes. Forbath has made 37 straight FGs inside 50 yards. Moore led the NCAA with 10 INTs in 2009.
ASU Sun Devils Key players: WR Kerry Taylor, WR Aaron Pflugrad, LB Vontaze Burfict, DT Lawrence Guy, K Thomas Weber. Returning starters: 3 offense, 4 defense. Notes: Coach Dennis Erickson, who could be on the hot seat after two of the worst seasons in program history, has made big changes with the offense, bringing in new coordinator Noel Mazzone and switching to a no-huddle, four-wide set. The QB battle between Michigan transfer Steven Threet and Brock Osweiler will likely last until just before the season starts.
WSU Cougars Key players: QB Jeff Tuel, DE Kevin Kooymanm, DE Travis Long, WR Jared Karstetter, LB Alex Hoffman-Ellis, P Reid Forrest. Returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense. Notes: Any turnaround for the Cougars will have to start on defense. Washington State ranked last in total defense last season, allowing nearly 1,000 more yards than the next closest Pac-10 team. Washington State has won just two games the past three seasons and coach Paul Wulff’s job could be in danger if there isn’t improvement this year. Tuel won the starting job in a close battle with junior Marshall Lobbestael, who will still get snaps during the season.
Peninsula Football 2010
Peninsula Daily News
Friday, September 3, 2010
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Carroll tries to rebuild Seahawks USC savior hired to get Seattle a Super victory By Gregg Bell
The Associated Press
SEATTLE — Bring on “the meat grinder.” Pete Carroll had it his way at Southern California. Talented recruits, LA glamour and amazing results: seven Pac-10 titles; two national championships; and a 97-19 record from 2000-09. At USC “Win Forever” wasn’t just his book title, it was the coach’s way of life. He was, as Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke says, “the ‘King of L.A.”’ Yet Leiweke and $30plus million got Carroll off his throne and back to the NFL for the first time since 1999. Carroll’s return is about to begin in Seattle, where he has sweeping powers to rescue Seahawks, who have gone 9-23 the last two seasons. “People say, ‘Gosh, why would you do that when you win all the time in college football, and here, you’re going into the meat grinder of the NFL?’ ” Carroll said, his words rolling, as usual. “I’m ready. I couldn’t be more prepared for it. I couldn’t be more excited about it. “I hope we can do things better than it’s ever been done before around here. I love setting our sights so far out, setting our standards so high, that maybe it doesn’t even seem feasible.” Right now, it does not. His Seahawks begin the season Sept. 12 against NFC West-rival San Francisco still trying to recover from two rough years. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is coming back from
his two worst, most injuryfilled seasons. He turns 35 in September and is in the final year of his contract. Carroll preserved the three-time Pro Bowler this preseason by limiting his practice repetitions. Yet the key to whether Hasselbeck can play all 16 games for the first time since 2007 — Seattle’s last playoff season — and whether he’ll have a supporting running game with former Jets All-Pro Leon Washington, who is healthy again, lies with a shaky offensive line. Carroll and his new sidekick, general manager John Schneider, drafted Russell Okung sixth overall and guaranteed him more than $29 million to replace retired All-Pro Walter Jones at left tackle. But Okung sprained his ankle in the second preseason game. He could begin the season either unavailable or having played just four preseason series in first-year coordinator Jeremy Bates’ new offense of zone run blocking and revamped pass protection. Irascible new line coach Alex Gibbs added former Broncos guard Ben Hamilton to help Okung on the left side, but Hamilton’s biggest impact so far has been tripping Okung on the first play of Saturday’s exhibition game and causing the sprained ankle. Center Chris Spencer has struggled for years; the 2005 first-round pick was demoted to right guard at the end of last season. The right side has second-year guard Max Unger, who finished last season as
The Associated Press
Green Bay quarterback Matt Flynn gets sacked by Seattle rookie Dexter Davis, causing a fumble in the second half of preseason game Aug. 21 in Seattle. The Seahawks recovered. Seattle’s center, and inconsistent tackle Sean Locklear. Tackle Chester Pitts arrived as a free agent from Houston but has yet to practice following microfracture knee surgery. “We’ll go as far as they take us. It’s up to those guys to take us to victories,” Bates said of his blockers. “They don’t get any recognition except when they let up a sack or a penalty so you don’t hear about those guys. But they’re the key to our success this year.” Uh-oh. The situation is only slightly better on the defensive line. Former Pro Bowl pass rusher Patrick Kerney retired and Lawrence Jack-
son, a 2008 first-round pick from Carroll’s Trojans, was traded despite being the team’s returning leader in sacks. Chris Clemons, acquired from Philadelphia to be a bigger pass rusher than the traded Darryl Tapp, has been a preseason star. The other end is 6-foot-4, 335-plus pound Red Bryant, a seldom-used former tackle who may be the league’s biggest end, fitting Carroll’s desire for a huge run stopper outside. But the Seahawks may again have to rely on blitzing from linebackers or backs to pressure passers. Doing that recently exposed a secondary that was 30th in the league in pass defense in 2009.
That backfield now has 36-year-old Lawyer Milloy — an ’09 backup who played for Carroll in New England more than a decade ago — and 21-year-old rookie Earl Thomas starting as safeties. “When you look at this team and when Pete looks at it, it’s not a one-year turnaround,” Leiweke admits. “But I think Pete is one of those guys that can ignite a spark unlike anyone else.” Just like at USC, Carroll is enlivening meetings with surprise guests and practices with thumping music. He’s throwing passes and running through drills. His daily command to “Always compete!” has
spawned more than 125 transactions since he arrived in January. He’s turned over half the roster and promises more churn. “I have always loved the NFL so much,” he says. The league didn’t love him back the first time. He was done after a 6-10 season in 1994 leading the Jets, and gone from New England, basically for not being Bill Parcells, after coaching there from 199799. “I think the Seahawks have benefited from the facts of what I’ve been through, what I’ve gone through.” The true test of that is about to start.
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