Wesco South football preview
Published 9:34 pm Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Here’s a look at the Wetern Conference’s South Division, with the teams listed in the order of predicted finish:
EDMONDS-WOODWAY
Last season: 5-1 in conference play, 7-3 overall
Outlook
The Warriors have won the Wesco South four out of the past five years and have made the playoffs five years in a row. Still, this may be a transition year with former Washington State Gatorade Player of the Year tailback/linebacker Tony Heard moving on. The return of quarterback Andy Willcock helps. While the Warriors may rely more on the pass this season, RB Zack Berg, a transfer from King’s, could help fill the void in the backfield.
Impact Players
Andy Willcock
Sr. | QB | 6-4, 210
Grant Arnold
Sr. | TE/LB | 6-2, 195
Phoenix Horn
Sr. | OL/DL | 6-3, 269
Fresh Face
Zack Berg
Jr. | RB | 6-2, 185
Schedule
Sept. 4MEADOWDALE
Sept. 11at Everett
Sept. 18at Lynnwood
Sept. 25JACKSON
Oct. 2at Kamiak
Oct. 9at Mariner
Oct. 16MTLK TERRACE
Oct. 23CASCADE
Oct. 30at Shorewood
MARINER
Last season: 4-2, 6-4
Outlook
Mariner has made the playoffs three years in a row, and senior TE/DE Mychael Tuiasosopo will pair with G Chris Johnson and OT Kyle Jones to give the Marauders a formidable corps of returning blockers. Josh Thompson takes over at QB for Mariner, which has had a member of the Tuiasosopo family on its roster since 2001. The Marauders will run a Wing-T offense and are expected to continue their recent success if they can stay healthy.
Impact Players
Mychael Tuiasosopo
Sr. | TE/DE | 6-1, 245
Chris Johnson
Sr. | G/LB/DT | 6-1, 215
Kyle Jones
Sr. | OL/DL | 5-10, 235
Fresh Face
Josh Thompson
Sr. | QB | 5-10, 175
Schedule
Sept. 4at Lake Stevens
Sept. 11at Mtlk Terrace
Sept. 18CASCADE
Sept. 25LYNNWOOD
Oct. 2at Shorewood
Oct. 9ED-WOODWAY
Oct. 16JACKSON
Oct. 23at Kamiak
Oct. 30MONROE
JACKSON
Last season: 6-0, 9-2
Outlook
Jackson went undefeated in conference last year, handing E-W its only Wesco South loss, and advancing to the state playoffs before losing to Ferris 24-7. With a bevy of returning starters, the Timberwolves should be strong again this year — though they have to replace graduated leading rusher Taylor Cox. Jackson returns Andy Gay at QB and hopes to continue the success it had taking care of the ball (just two fumbles in 2008).
Impact Players
Riley Carr
Sr. | RB/LB | 6-0, 228
Andy Gay
Sr. | QB | 6-5, 215
Jake White
Sr. | OL/DL | 6-0, 235
Fresh Face
Austin O’Keefe
Jr. | WR | 6-4, 205
Schedule
Sept. 4at Stanwood
Sept. 11SHOREWOOD
Sept. 18ARLINGTON
Sept. 25at Ed-Woodway
Oct. 2LAKE STEVENS
Oct. 9KAMIAK
Oct. 16at Mariner
Oct. 23MTLK TERRACE
Oct. 30at Cascade
CASCADE
Last season: 3-3, 5-5
Outlook
With 13 returning starters, the Bruins should be a stronger team this year. Cascade coach Jake Huizinga said five or six players are in consideration to get touches at running back in the Bruins’ Wing-T offense. Cascade is hoping to continue the success it had last year scoring, while improving its ability to keep opponents out of the end zone.
Impact Players
Anthony Barton
Sr. | G/MLB | 6-1, 235
Brandon Blinn
Sr. | TE/LB | 6-2, 215
Timothy St. Marie
Sr. | OT/DT | 6-2, 265
Fresh Face
Jake Reining
Jr. | OT/DT | 6-4, 225
Schedule
Sept. 4OAK HARBOR
Sept. 11at Kamiak
Sept. 18at Mariner
Sept. 25at Everett
Oct. 2MTLK TERRACE
Oct. 9at Snohomish
Oct. 16SHOREWOOD
Oct. 23at Ed-Woodway
Oct. 30JACKSON
KAMIAK
Last season: 2-4, 2-8
Outlook
Kamiak had a down year in 2008. Still, respect for the Knights’ program is high among other Wesco South coaches. Jake Sortor will start at QB. Kamiak coach Dan Mack likes his senior leadership and said he thinks the Knights will be competitive if they can play disciplined and stay injury free.
Impact Players
Jake Sortor
Sr. | QB | 5-10, 180
Tyler Lambert
Sr. | WR/S | 6-1, 185
Khrystian Clark
Sr. | LB/FB | 5-11, 230
Fresh Face
Nic Cooper
Jr. | RB/DB | 5-10, 180
Schedule
Sept. 4SNOHOMISH
Sept. 11CASCADE
Sept. 18at Shorewood
Sept. 25at Meadowdale
Oct. 2ED-WOODWAY
Oct. 9at Jackson
Oct. 16at M-P
Oct. 23MARINER
Oct. 30at Mtlk Terrace
MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
Last season: 1-5, 4-6
Outlook
Terrace went 1-5 in league last year, but there were bright spots as the Hawks went 4-6 overall and defeated 3A power Meadowdale in overtime, the first time Terrace had beaten a ranked school. The Hawks return QB Brandyn Eckhart, who holds the school’s single-game rushing record for a quarterback (185 yards), RB Casey Ellersick, and have a total of 15 starters returning. With everyone a year older and wiser, Terrace could surprise.
Impact Players
Casey Ellersick
Sr. | RB/DB | 5-11, 185
Alex Martin
Sr. | LB/OL | 6-1, 215
Zack Karels
Jr. | DB/WR | 6-2, 190
Fresh Face
Owen Fritz
Jr. | OL/DL | 6-2, 230
Schedule
Sept. 4at Lynnwood
Sept. 11MARINER
Sept. 18MEADOWDALE
Sept. 25at Glacier Peak
Oct. 2at Cascade
Oct. 9SHOREWOOD
Oct. 16at Ed-Woodway
Oct. 23at Jackson
Oct. 30KAMIAK
SHOREWOOD
Last season: 0-6, 1-9
Outlook
It’s been a rough few years for Shorewood (2-18 over that span), but the Thunderbirds are returning to an older style of uniform and are hoping to change their fortunes. Shorewood will use an offset I-formation and a power running game, and coach Andrew Hershey said he hopes to incorporate more misdirection than the Thunderbirds have used recently. The T-birds return few starters, but many players did get experience last year.
Impact Player
Anthony Hayward
Jr. | DL/FB | 6-0, 200
Fresh Faces
Spencer Schobert
Jr. | OL/LB | 6-0, 195
Eugene Holley
So. | RB/DB | 5-10, 175
Josh Martinez
Jr. | RB/DB | 5-7, 165
Schedule
Sept. 4at Monroe
Sept. 11at Jackson
Sept. 18KAMIAK
Sept. 25at Shorecrest
Oct. 2MARINER
Oct. 9at Mtlk Terrace
Oct. 16at Cascade
Oct. 23GLACIER PEAK
Oct. 30ED-WOODWAY
