Wesco North football preview
Published 10:58 am Monday, June 28, 2010
Here’s a look at the Western Conference’s North Division, with the teams listed in the order of predicted finish:
MARYSVILLE-PILCHUCK
Last season: 6-0 in conference play, 9-1 overall
Outlook
Last season, Marysville-Pilchuck used its massive offensive line and strong ground game to run to its first league title since 1975. The Tomahawks return 2008 leading rusher Austin Denton (1,565 yards rushing), but must rebuild the team on both sides of the ball. It’s imperative that the new players make a quick adjustment to the varsity level if the Tomahawks hope to reach the postseason, head coach Brandon Carson said.
Impact Players
Brett Parsons
Sr. | OT/DT | 6-2, 300
Jarrett Finau
Jr. | TE/DE | 6-3, 220
Chris Larson
Sr. | RB/DB | 5-9, 175
Fresh Face
AJ Kvangnes
Sr. | RB/OLB | 5-11, 180
Schedule
Sept. 4at Shorecrest
Sept. 11at Snohomish
Sept. 18SKYVIEW
Sept. 25STANWOOD
Oct. 2at Arlington
Oct. 9LAKE STEVENS
Oct. 16KAMIAK
Oct. 23at Monroe
Oct. 30OAK HARBOR
ARLINGTON
Last season: 2-4, 6-4
Outlook
Arlington’s roster was hobbled by the offseason loss of two top receivers (disciplinary reasons). The Eagles’ top returning receiver, Conner Varnell (10 touchdowns in ‘08), is fully recovered from back surgery. Head coach Greg Dailer has a number of younger players who need to step up, spearheaded by versatile sophomore Blake McPherson.
Impact Players
Jake Parduhn
Sr. | RB/FS | 5-10, 190
Peter Ludwig
Sr. | DL | 6-0, 210
Andy Smith
Sr. | QB/DB | 6-1, 165
Fresh Face
Blake McPherson
So. | WR/FS | 5-10, 160
Schedule
Sept. 4at Glacier Peak
Sept. 11LYNNWOOD
Sept. 18at Jackson
Sept. 25at Lake Stevens
Oct. 2M-P
Oct. 9at Monroe
Oct. 16OAK HARBOR
Oct. 23at Snohomish
Oct. 30STANWOOD
LAKE STEVENS
Last season: 4-2, 6-4
Outlook
Coach Tom Tri said the Vikings must utilize their team speed and stay healthy in order to return to the postseason. Lake Stevens lost several players, but according to Tri, the Vikings are fast at nearly every position. Two downsides, however, are a lack of size and depth. Also, the new offensive line must learn to work as a unit, Tri said. An injury-riddled season could derail Lake Stevens’ postseason hopes.
Impact Players
Jesse Porter
Sr. | OT/DE | 6-2, 240
Jordan Eckstrom
Sr. | OG/NT | 6-0, 245
Duke Dolphin
Jr. | RB/SS | 6-1, 195
Fresh Face
Tyler Reside
Sr. | WR/DB | 5-10, 180
Schedule
Sept. 4MARINER
Sept. 11GLACIER PEAK
Sept. 18at Stanwood
Sept. 25ARLINGTON
Oct. 2at Jackson
Oct. 9at M-P
Oct. 16MONROE
Oct. 23at Oak Harbor
Oct. 29SNOHOMISH
SNOHOMISH
Last season: 4-2, 6-4
Outlook
The split with 3A Glacier Peak has hurt the Panthers’ numbers and in turn made the team more vulnerable to injuries. Coach Mark Perry estimated 20 or more seniors who would be playing for Snohomish are at Glacier Peak. But Snohomish still returns strong players at a few positions and looks to build around a more balanced offensive scheme, according to Perry. Filling the vacant spot at quarterback will be Perry’s son, Luke.
Impact Players
Jon McGee
Sr. | WR/DE | 6-5, 220
Keith Wigney
Sr. | OL/LB | 6-1, 245
Eric Koenig
Jr. | OL/LB | 6-4, 230
Fresh Face
Jon Ney
Sr. | RB/DB | 5-11, 187
Schedule
Sept. 4at Kamiak
Sept. 11M-P
Sept. 18SHORECREST
Sept. 25at Monroe
Oct. 2OAK HARBOR
Oct. 9CASCADE
Oct. 16at Stanwood
Oct. 23ARLINGTON
Oct. 29at Lake Stevens
STANWOOD
Last season: 3-3, 3-6
Outlook
Stanwood heads into the season with experience at several skill positions as well as along both lines. Coach Aaron Cupp got his start at Meadowdale as an assistant football coach and head track coach from 2003-06. Last season he was an assistant coach at Stayton (Ore.) High School. With veterans at quarterback, running back and on the offensive line, Stanwood’s performance could flourish under Cupp’s tutelage.
Impact Players
Mike McCune
Sr. | QB | 6-2, 185
Brad Gee
Sr. | RB/LB | 5-11, 195
Evan Olson
Sr. | FS | 6-0, 195
Fresh Face
Dexter Charles
Jr. | DE/OT | 6-4, 290
Schedule
Sept. 4JACKSON
Sept. 11at Meadowdale
Sept. 18LAKE STEVENS
Sept. 25at M-P
Oct. 2Monroe
Oct. 9at Oak Harbor
Oct. 16SNOHOMISH
Oct. 23FERNDALE
Oct. 30at Arlington
OAK HARBOR
Last season: 2-4, 4-6
Outlook
The Wildcats stumbled in conference play last season, but with second-year head coach Jay Turner still at the helm and a large number of experienced players returning, Oak Harbor could be poised for a playoff run. If key players stay healthy, the Wildcats have the potential to surprise a few conference foes.
Impact Players
Donovan Hunt
Sr. | RB/CB | 6-0, 180
Nick Rouser
Sr. | OT/DE | 6-5, 230
Rashaad Smith
Sr. | WR/FS | 6-4, 185
Fresh Face
Aaron Boesch
Jr. | WR/DE | 6-4, 195
Schedule
Sept. 4at Cascade
Sept. 11MONROE
Sept. 18EVERETT
Sept. 26at Mt. Vernon
Oct. 2at Snohomish
Oct. 9STANWOOD
Oct. 16at Arlington
Oct. 23LAKE STEVENS
Oct. 30at M-P
MONROE
Last season: 0-6, 2-8
Outlook
Monroe lost a number of players in skill positions from 2008, but the Bearcats didn’t have to rebuild in one of the most important spots — along the offensive line. Monroe returns experience across the line, which could bode well for second-year head coach Dave Telford as his squad looks to improve on a two-win 2008 campaign.
Impact Players
Cody Elledge
Sr. | WR/DB | 6-0, 200
Kelen Jensen
Sr. | WR/DB | 6-3, 200
Alex Martin
Sr. | C/DT | 6-0, 270
Fresh Face
Joe Kim
Sr. | TB/OLB | 5-7, 180
Schedule
Sept. 4SHOREWOOD
Sept. 11at Oak Harbor
Sept. 18at Sedro-Woolley
Sept. 25SNOHOMISH
Oct. 2at Stanwood
Oct. 9ARLINGTON
Oct. 16at Lake Stevens
Oct. 23M-P
Oct. 30at Mariner
