<< Previous   of   Next >> Enterprise/CHRIS GOODENOW  (click to enlarge) Archbishop Murphy quarterback Austin VanderWel (center) tries to dodge Glacier Peak defenders during a scrimmage June 11 at Glacier Peak High School.

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CONTACT THE ENTERPRISE Jocelyn Robinson, News editor jrobinson@heraldnet.com

Wildcats get a peek at newcomers

By David Pan
Enterprise Sports editor

The Archbishop Murphy football team is laying the foundation for what it hopes will be another successful season.

The Wildcats saw a significant turnover in personnel with the graduation of about 20 seniors from a team that advanced to the Class 2A state semifinals.

Second-year coach Dave Ward liked the enthusiasm the younger players showed during the Wildcats' spring workouts. Archbishop Murphy participated in two separate scrimmages that included such top teams as Jackson and Bellevue.

"A lot of the younger players are going to be expected to step up," Ward said.

For many of the players, this fall will be their first season playing significant time on the varsity level.

"That's OK," Ward said. "They were successful last year in the playing time they got when they had the opportunity.

"We're mildly optimistic that we're going to develop as a pretty good football team."

Archbishop Murphy does have some solid talent returning, though Ward added that his team doesn't have any superstar athletes who will dominate on both sides of the ball.

The backfield includes junior-to-be Austin VanderWel and running backs Randy Gordon and Alex Martinez.

"We'll have a nice running game," Ward said. "We will need to develop a passing attack."

VanderWel, one of the school's top sprinters, split time as quarterback last season with Jake Downs. Ward expects VanderWel will run the ball more this season. "He's probably our fastest player," Ward said. "He had a good track season. He ended up going to state in the long jump."

Martinez also brings great lateral quickness and runs hard, Ward added. "He doesn't go down. He breaks tackles. With Randy Gordon that gives us a nice one-two punch. We'll mix in the run plays with Austin."

Ward also expects senior-to-be running back Caleb Smith to see plenty of action.

The offensive line will be a work-in-progress since the Wildcats return only junior-to-be Julius Tevaga.

"The linemen are developing a good team approach," Ward said. "So far in the spring they've opened up some nice holes for our running backs."

One receiver Ward expects to play a major role in the offense is junior-to-be tight end Tani Tupou, who also was a defensive end. But as far as the rest of the receiving corps, Ward is looking for some other players to step up.

"Our wide receivers are up for grabs," Ward said. "We'll see who surfaces during the summer and fall camp."

The defensive line is in better than their counterparts with three starters back - Tupou, Tevaga and Nathan Zarate.

Other players who likely figure into Ward's defensive plans include Matt Huggins, Jake Clark, Jake Hines, Blake Torres and Andrew Perez.

"We're evaluating positions and what moves we need to make - shifting players to different spots," Ward said.

The Wildcats wrap up their summer activities with the Wenatchee team camp in mid-July. The camp features many of the top 3A and 4A teams from across the state.

"We look forward to seeing some real good competition," Ward said.

Archbishop Murphy doesn't need to look very far to find motivation to get ready for the 2009 season. The Wildcats open the season against Lynden, the team that beat them in the state semifinals, in the annual Emerald City Kickoff Classic at Qwest Field in Seattle.

The Archbishop Murphy/Lynden matchup is at 9:30 a.m., Sept. 5, and is the first of five games.

"It's a huge opener," Ward said. "It's nice to have a big first game. It motivates players to get ready, not that they need more motivation. You always take the extra incentives you find always the way."