Cascade Conference teams at a glance

Click on one of the links below to jump to a specific team:
King’s
Archbishop Murphy
Coupeville
Lakewood
Granite Falls
Sultan
Cedarcrest
South Whidbey
Darrington
Highland Christian
Tulalip Heritage

King’s
Head Coach: Jim Shapiro, 16th season

Returning impact players: RB/LB Zach Evans, senior, 5’10”, 195; OT/DE Roko Gucake, senior, 6’2″, 234; OT/DT Mason Freidline, junior, 6’5″, 270; TE/OLB Christian Taylor, senior, 6’5″, 195

New impact players; QB/FS Billy Green, junior, 6’1″, 180; WR/DB Caleb Taylor, junior, 6’0″, 175; RB/SS Ben Welch, junior, 5’10”, 165

Returning starters: Offense, 7; defense, 7

Outlook: Replacing Thomas Vincent (114 touchdowns in two seasons) at quarterback and Curtis Clauson (back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons) will be all but impossible, and the Knights will be hard-pressed to make the school’s first-ever three-year run to the second round of the state playoffs. But the team returns plenty of starters in the non-skilled positions, and Billy Green is a talented quarterback who took part in the National Football University selection process over the summer.

Quote: “Our younger skilled kids are growing and learning. Promises to be a challenging but fun year.”

Archbishop Murphy
Head Coach: Dave Ward, fourth season

Returning impact players: LB/OL Sam Shober, senior, 6’3″, 215; LB/QB Connor Kruse, senior, 6’0″, 190; DT/OL Kyle Mulvaney, senior, 6’2″, 195; DB/RB Alex Kramer, senior, 5’11”, 183

New impact players: DL/OL James Peckham, senior, 6’4″, 255; WR/DB Mark Shireman, senior, 6’3″, 190; WR/DB Austin Broadwell, senior, 6’3″, 180

Returning starters: Offense, 6; defense, 6

Outlook: Coach Ward describes the defending state runners up as young but experienced. There are an abundance of juniors who have been around the program for the 2009 semifinal and 2010 championship game runs. Alex Galgano will be one of the best running backs in the Cascade Conference and is the spearhead of the Wildcats’ attack.

Quote: “What we lack in size we will try to make up for with team speed. We will have on of the highest classroom GPAs in the state and we hope that transfers into quick and intelligent decisions on the field.”

Coupeville
Head Coach: Jay Silver, second season

Returning impact players: WR Mitch Pelroy, senior, 5’10”, 165; LB Dalton Engle, senior, 6’0″, 195; WR Brand Bodamer, senior, 6’3″, 190; OL Chris Bitting, senior, 6’0″ 235; S Zach Forland, senior, 5’8″, 140

New impact players: RB Brett Arnold, sophomore, 5’10”, 185; WR Bryce Fleming, sophomore, 5’10”, 160; OL Anthony Maggio, junior, 5’11” 225

Returning starters: Offense, 6; defense; 7

Outlook: Coupeville was winless in Cascade Conference play and was short on experience in 2010. Many underclassmen got experience for the two-win Wolves, which should bode well for this year’s campaign. Coach Silver expects quarterback play and stopping big plays on defense should be the keys for the team to take a step up out of the league cellar.

Quote: “We should be better than last year as we have a little better talent and the players have worked hard in the weight room, but we have no experience returning at the QB position and as we all know that doesn’t usually bode well for any team.”

Lakewood
Head Coach: Dan Teeter, sixth season

Returning impact players: TE/LB Dustin Stanton, senior, 6’6″, 217; RB/LB Christian Melton, senior, 5’9″, 220; RB/LB Donovan Evans, junior, 5’11”, 190; QB/WR/S Justin Peterson, junior, 6’1″, 185; WR/DB Brandon Stott, junior, 5’10”, 175

New impact players: WR/DB Jake Micheletti, senior, 5’10”, 160; QB/S Schueller, junior, 6’3″, 195

Returning starters: Offense, 9; defense, 10

Outlook: Justin Peterson and Kolby Schueller have split time at QB since the spring and both look strong. Both are vying to replace four-year starter Justin Lane, who is now playing at Illinois State. Both will look for one of the best targets in the league, Dustin Stanton, who has committed to Oregon State to play tight end. Christian Melton and Donovan Evans were both first team All-Cascade at running back and should take pressure off the new quarterback.

Quote: “With our wealth of experience and depth, we are looking to build on last season’s 7-3 record and contend for the Cascade Conference title and a state playoff run. The team has worked very hard in the off-season and is committed to continuing to do the work that is necessary to win.”

Granite Falls
Head Coach: Tracey Bechtholdt, third season

Returning impact players: DT/OT Zach Whittaker, senior, 6’3″, 235; LB/RB/TE Dalton Pierce, senior, 6’2″, 200; RB/LB Kyle Everett, junior, 5’10”, 190

New impact players: QB/RB/WR Brandon Leitzke, junior, 5’10”, 160

Returning starters: Offense, 4; defense, 4

Outlook: Coach Tracey Bechthold expects Brandon Leitzke to provide much-needed spark and speed to the offense. The Tigers hope to improve on the 2-5 finish from a year ago in Cascade Conference play. They were a game behind South Whidbey for the play-in berth of the district playoffs.

Quote: “Our five seniors will provide great leadership.”

Sultan
Head Coach: Ben Murphy, second season

Returning impact players: OL/DL Ben Clair, senior, 6’1″, 215; OL/LB Taylor Comfort, senior, 6’0″, 205; RB/DB Ian Cooper, senior, 6’0″, 185; WR/DB Isaac Cooper, senior, 6’1″, 185

New impact players: FB/LB Cooper Beucherie, sophomore, 5’11”, 195; WR/DE Jay Leverett, junior, 5’8″, 175

Returning starters: Offense, 8; defense, 7

Outlook: Coach Murphy says that the Turks are way ahead of where they were a year ago when they finished with one win and 1-6 in Cascade Conference play. The Sultan offense might largely be powered by the Cooper twins, who return at wide receiver and running back.

Quote: “We are going to be a younger team but we’ll be looking to improve on last year.”

Cedarcrest
Head Coach: Jason Frederick, eighth season

Returning impact players: RB/DB Martin Vakamoce, senior, 5’10”, 185; RB/DB Chris Dowd, senior, 5’10”, 170; OL/DL Josh Davidson, senior, 6’3″, 215; QB/RB Justin Houser, senior, 6’2″, 170

New impact players: OL/LB Colton Sandhoffer, sophomore, 5’8″, 215; RB/LB Cody Paxman, senior, 5’10”, 180; QB Hunter Lee, senior, 5’10”, 150

Returning starters: Offense, 7; defense, 7

Outlook: After going undefeated against non-Archbishop Murphy conference teams a year ago, Cedarcrest will be looking for a third straight trip to the 2A district playoffs. The Red Wolves have a strong group of seniors that they will rely on to run the offense. The defense should be athletic and aggressive, but Frederick says they will be smaller than other teams on that side of the ball.

Quote: “We are going to be known as a team that doesn’t quit. Our main goal is to battle for four quarters. We are looking forward to an exciting year.”

South Whidbey
Head Coach: Andy Davis, second season

Returning impact players: RB/DB Sam Lee, 5’11”, 180; OL/DL Sam Denka, 6’1″, 250; OL/DL Seth Eckert, 6’0″, 250; WR/S Avery Buechner, 6’1″, 207; OL/DL Mason Shoudy, 6’1″, 190

New impact players: RB/DL Pat Monell, junior, 6’1″, 195; QB Nick French, sophomore, 6’0″, 190; WR/DB Cameron Coupe, junior, 5’7″, 150

Returning starters: Offense, 8; defense, 8

Outlook: South Whidbey returns a number of players on both sides of the football, including three solid players along the offensive and defensive lines. The big change will be at quarterback, where the Falcons hope to go with sophomore Nick French. French is injured and Davis said he will likely miss the first two games. Veteran running back Sam Lee and Pat Monell will be a key part of South Whidbey’s offense.

Quote: “We have a good group of seniors who will provide good leadership for us.”

Darrington
Head Coach: Doug Lenker, second season

Returning impact players: OL/DL Mark Bradley, 5’10”, 220; WR Justin Smith, 6’0″, 165; RB Felipe Valencia, 6’0″, 180; QB/HB Tyler Simmons, 6’2″, 165

New impact players: QB/RB Trent Green, 5’11”, 160; RB Bruce Massingale, 5’7″, 155

Returning starters: Offense, 6; defense, 6

Outlook: Coach Lenker has been impressed by his team’s attitude and work ethic on and off the field over the summer. He expects that will pay dividends in terms of wins and losses this season.

Quote: “Our players and coaches have worked hard in the off season and hope to improve on last season’s record.”

Highland Christian
Head Coach: Pete Miller, third season

Returning impact players: RB/DL Nels Knutson, senior, 6’1″, 165; C/FB/DL Clayton Binder, senior, 5’10”, 265; QB/DB Luke Gould, sophomore, 5’10”, 130; TE/DE Tim Matthews, 5’9″, 160

New impact players: OL/QB/LB Brandon Montoya, senior, 5’10”, 215

Returning starters: Offense, 5; defense, 6

Outlook: After playing with 11 players a year ago, coach Miller expects Highland Christian to be up to 13 this fall. The coach is excited about Brandon Montoya, a versatile transfer from Lakewood who will play multiple positions, including quarterback at times. Nels Knutson led team in rushing yards and touchdowns last season, averaging around six yards per carry, and he will carry much of the load again.

Quote: “I really think that we can make the playoffs with four or five wins this year.”

Tulalip Heritage
Head Coach: Jim Kavaney, first season

Returning impact players: None

New impact players: FB/S Izzy Enick, senior, 5’7″, 170; WR/OL Tisen Fryberg, senior, 5’7″, 140; TE/LB Jesse Fryberg, senior, 6’0″, 200; QB/S Tylee Fryberg, senior, 5’10”, 165; RB DJ Kidd, senior, 6’1″, 170

Returning starters: Offense: 0; defense, 0

Outlook: Starting a new program from scratch is always tough, but Jim Kavaney may be the man to do it. Kavaney coached from 1976-86 at Arlington at a time when the Eagles won two state championships. Kavaney and his defensive coach, Steve Barker, have coached together for 20 years. Their first challenge is filling out a roster for the small school that will likely feel some growing pains against teams like league-mate and defending state champ Lummi.

Quote: “We have some good prospects … None of these kids have played high school football, some played at the middle school and, of course, Little League.”