PREP FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: Meadowdale as skilled as ever
Published 12:42 pm Friday, September 17, 2010
Despite replacing four of the most talented skill-position players in program history, the revamped Meadowdale High School football team keeps rolling.
In 2009 four outstanding seniors — tight end Connor Hamlett, quarterback Danny McDonald, running back Naji Moore-Taylor and receiver Sam Werner — were prolific playmakers in Meadowdale’s offense. They helped the Mavericks enjoy one of their best seasons ever and reach the Class 3A state quarterfinals. Each one was an all-league first team selection.
All four standouts are gone, which seemingly meant trouble for Meadowdale in 2010.
Scratch that theory.
This season Meadowdale, a member of the Western Conference 3A Division, is 2-0 following two blowout victories: 34-2 over Shorecrest and 48-7 over Lindbergh. The replacements for Hamlett, McDonald, Moore-Taylor and Werner have been very capable.
“There’s some guys who have kind of waited their turn,” Meadowdale coach Mark Stewart said.
One of them is QB Nathan Ball, a first-year starter who runs well and understands the offense, said Stewart. The team’s top rusher so far is Kyle Gage, who started at cornerback last year. Meanwhile, wide receiver Anders Peterson, who has three touchdown receptions, and 6-foot-2, 220-pound tight end Sam Thomas are talented pass catchers. All four players are seniors.
Gage, who rushed for 128 yards against Lindbergh, said it’s exciting to finally get an opportunity to shine on offense.
“A lot of us, we’ve been waiting our turns to step up and be the man,” he said.
They haven’t done it alone. First-year offensive coordinator Eric Marty, a former Meadowdale QB, and the team’s offensive linemen deserve praise, coach Stewart said.
“From camp over the summer, how I felt they were going to do up until the beginning of our season, it’s crazy how far they’ve come,” Ball said of the O-line. “I was worried coming in, but that first Friday night it all came together.”
Meadowdale’s returning starters on the O-line are center Nathan Cloud-Rouzan and right guard Adam Bjodstrup.
Another key to Meadowdale’s great start: The Mavericks’ defense has dominated. Led by inside linebacker Riley Pearson, the unit has not allowed a touchdown. Lindbergh’s lone TD was on a kickoff return.
Tonight, 3A Meadowale has a huge non-league test at Edmonds Stadium against 4A Edmonds-Woodway (2-0), its biggest rival.
“I’ve been playing against these guys and with these guys as long as I’ve been playing football,” Ball said, “so finally it’s like that one final game senior year to prove who’s better. There’s going to be some cool bragging rights out there.”
“I’ve been working for this game,” added Ball, “since I started playing high school football.”
Two Meadowdale starters suspended
Six Meadowdale players, including two starters, were suspended for violating the district athletic code and will miss tonight’s game, coach Stewart said. Stewart did not identify the players. The length of the suspensions has not been determined, Stewart said Thursday.
Glacier Peak’s new QB on target
The numbers are eye-opening: In two games Glacier Peak first-year starting quarterback Kevin Campbell has completed 75.4 percent of his passes (43 of 57) for 625 yards and eight TDs. He has done almost all of it in the first half, playing only one second-half series.
“I’m as happy for him as I’ve ever been for any player,” said Grizzlies coach Rory Rosenbach, whose team is 2-0 and ranked No. 9 in the Tacoma News Tribune’s 3A rankings going into its Wesco 3A game tonight versus Shorecrest (1-1).
Campbell (5-foot-10, 161 pounds) has a strong arm, quick release and great touch, said Rosenbach. Plus, Campbell knows Glacier Peak’s no-huddle spread offense inside and out, and excels at reading the defense and making good decisions, Rosenbach added.
Sophs step up for Lakewood
Lakewood senior QB Justin Lane is his team’s best-known player. But the 2-0 Cougars, who play Coupeville (1-1) tonight, have plenty of talent surrounding Lane. A trio of sophomores has combined to put up big numbers on offense: Brandon Stott (171 yards rushing, 1 TD; eight receptions for 180 yards, two TDs), Justin Peterson (11 receptions for 175 yards, four TDs, three two-point conversions) and Donovan Evans (101 yards rushing, two TDs).
Quick slants
Lake Stevens and Marysville-Pilchuck will each play their first home game of 2010 tonight. Both teams’ stadiums received major renovations since the end of last season. Lake Stevens’ grand-opening ceremony will include fireworks, Vikings coach Tom Tri said. … After losing 48-0 against Inglemoor and 47-0 versus Eastlake in back-to-back losses to start the season, Snohomish takes on Jackson (0-2), which endured five-point losses against M-P (1-1) and Arlington (2-0). … Led by dual-threat QB Thomas Vincent, King’s (ranked No. 3 in 1A) outscored its first two opponents 114-13. Check out updated stats for Vincent and other local players at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/preps. … Edmonds-Woodway running back Zack Berg leads the Wesco 4A South with seven rushing TDs. Berg played for King’s before transferring to E-W before last season. … Archbishop Murphy running back Alex Galgano is a super sub. Filling in for injured senior co-captain Randy Gordon, the sophomore has rushed for 324 yards (8.8 yards per carry) and three scores.
Mike Cane: mcane@heraldnet.com. Check out the prep sports blog Double Team at cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/heraldnet/doubleteam and follow Cane on Twitter at MikeCaneHerald.
