Teams in order of predicted finish as voted on by league coaches
1. Marysville-Pilchuck Tomahawks
Last Season: 6-0 in conference play, 10-1 overall
Outlook: Head coach Brandon Carson must replace league-leading rusher Austin Denton, but also has to fill the spots vacated by the transfer of five players expected to make major contributions, including 2009 All-Wesco performers: Jarett Finau, and brothers Siti and Suli Tamaivena (all of whom transfered to Juanita High School). League coaches predicted the Tomahawks to come up with another first place finish in the conference.
Coach’s comment: “We’re going to play with more inexperienced players than in the past. I like our depth in the backfield.” Marysville-Pilchuck head coach Brandon Carson in his 4th season.
Returning starters: Offense: 2; Defense: 2
Impact Players: Zach Schumann, Sr., OL/DL, 6-3, 270; Myles Tarran, Sr., RB/LB, 5-11, 185; Kyle Miller, Sr., RB/DB, 5-11,180
Fresh Face: Adam Hoffenbacker, Sr., OL/DL, 6-1, 255
Schedule: Sept. 3 at Jackson; Sept. 10 at Edmonds-Woodway; Sept. 17 CASCADE; Sept. 24 at Arlington; Oct. 1 STANWOOD; Oct. 8 at Snohomish; Oct. 15 LAKE STEVENS; Oct. 22 MONROE
2. Lake Stevens Vikings
Last Season: 4-2 in conference play, 5-5 overall
Outlook: The Vikings return five starters on offense, including wide receiver Brandon Preslar, to a team that lost to Bethel in the postseason. Head coach Tom Tri expects much improved play from the offensive line along with a fast and physical defense. Preslar finished second in the conference last season with 519 yards receiving and running back Duke Dolphin, who missed his entire junior season with a knee injury, is back to guide the ground game.
Coach’s comment: “Team chemistry and leadership from our seniors will be the main keys to our success this season.” Lake Stevens head coach Tom Tri in his 6th season.
Returning starters: Offense: 5; Defense: 4
Impact Players: Duke Dolphin, Sr., RB/SS, 6-1, 200; Gunnar Eklund, Sr., OT/DE, 6-6, 285; Brandon Preslar, Sr., WR/DB, 6-3, 185
Fresh Face: Cody Tupen, Jr., OT/DE, 6-2, 240
Schedule: Sept. 3 at Cascade; Sept. 10 at Kamiak; Sept. 17 INGLEMOOR; Sept. 24 at Snohomish; Oct. 1 ARLINGTON; Oct. 8 STANWOOD; Oct. 15 at Marysville-Pilchuck; Oct. 22 MONROE
3. Arlington Eagles
Last Season: 3-3 in conference play, 5-5 overall
Outlook: Arlington just missed out on the final 4A quad-district playoff spot last season, but a group of solid players could bring the Eagles back to the cusp this season. The team will have to start the year without two-way lineman Brady Quinton who is out for at least half the season with a torn meniscus in his knee. But returning starters WR Griffin Ginnis, RB Riley Cobb and LB Blake Peterson are be some big names to watch.
Coach’s comment: “We have some solid athletes, but we do not have much death. If we stay healthy, we should complete for the league title.” Arlington head coach Greg Dailer in his 3rd season.
Returning starters: Offense: 3; Defense: 4
Impact Players: Blake Petersen, Sr., OL/LB, 6-2, 190; Blake McPherson, Jr., QB/DB, 5-10, 175; Riley Cobb, Jr., RB/LB, 5-10, 180
Fresh Face: Adam Roehl, Jr., OL/LB, 5-11, 185
Schedule: Sept. 3 at Mariner; Sept. 10 JACKSON; Sept. 17 at Ferndale; Sept. 24 MARYSVILLE-PILCHUCK; Oct. 1 at Lake Stevens; Oct. 8 STANWOOD; Oct. 15 at Monroe; Oct. 22 SNOHOMISH
4. Stanwood Spartans
Last Season: 4-2 in conference play, 4-6 overall
Outlook: Stanwood captured the final 4A quad-district playoff berth last season in head coach Aaron Cupp’s first year on the job. A 61-0 blowout loss to Bothell, however, wasn’t exactly the way the team wanted to end the postseason. Cupp said he expects good progress from the team in year-two of his system, but with just one starting offensive lineman (LT Dexter Charles) returning, it may take a few games for the new Spartans to get their feet under them.
Coach’s comment: “We’re expecting some good growth, some positive steps forward.” Stanwood head coach Aaron Cupp in his 2nd season.
Returning starters: Offense: 3; Defense: 4
Impact Players: Dexter Charles, Sr., OL/DL, 6-4, 285; Sam Harris, Sr., LB/RB, 6-3, 215; Andrew Price, Sr., CB/RB, 5-9, 175
Fresh Face: Devin Wooldridge, Sr., LB/RB, 6-1, 220s
Schedule: Sept. 3 KAMIAK; Sept. 10 SEDRO-WOOLLEY; Sept. 17 at Mariner; Sept. 24 MONROE; Oct. 1 at Marysville-Pilchuck; Oct. 8 at Arlington; Oct. 15 SNOHOMISH; Oct. 22 at Lake Stevens
5. Snohomish Panthers
Last Season: 1-5 in conference play, 3-7 overall
Outlook: A year after suffering a loss in numbers because of the split with Glacier Peak, head coach Mark Perry is seeing all the inexperience of last season fade away into a promising new year. With four starters back on defense and some talent and speed around the field, the Panthers could surprise a couple opponents in 2010. The question is: Who will lead the offense at quarterback? Will it be senior Blake Fenske or junior Stewart Mitchell.
Coach’s comment: “We played a lot of young players last season and are seeing their experience in practice right now.” Snohomish head coach Mark Perry in his 16th season.
Returning starters: Offense: 3; Defense: 4
Impact Players: Eric Koenig, Sr., OL/LB, 6-4, 245; Conner McDonald, Jr., RB/DB, 6-1, 175; Nolan Shilling, Sr., DE/TE, 6-3, 210
Fresh Face: Hunter Yeagley, Jr., C/DT, 6-4, 225
Schedule: Sept. 3 at Inglemoor; Sept. 10 EASTLAKE; Sept. 17 JACKSON; Sept. 24 LAKE STEVENS; Oct. 1 at Monroe; Oct. 8 MARYSVILLE-PILCHUCK; Oct. 15 at Stanwood; Oct. 22 at Arlington
6. Monroe Bearcats
Last Season: 1-5 in conference play, 3-7 overall
Outlook: The Bearcats have gotten progressively better since hitting a low-point during a winless season in 2007. A two-win season in 2008 (head coach Dave Telford’s first year), followed by a three-win campaign last year (including a 26-21 triumph at Oak Harbor in the second week), and it appears Telford has the Monroe program pointed in the right direction. A good summer of conditioning under their belt could have the Bearcats positioned for a playoff run, but a daunting October looms as Monroe faces Lake Stevens, Arlington and M-P to close the season.
Coach’s comment: “We will be young, but should be improved. We’ve had our best summer of conditioning in the past three years and look for it to carry over into the season.” Monroe head coach Dave Telford in his 3rd season.
Returning starters: Offense: 3; Defense: 6
Impact Players: Tory James, Jr., WR/DB, 6-0, 185; Jake Pratt, Sr., WR/DB, 6-0, 175; Brandon Rozsnyai, Sr., RB/DB. 5-9, 175;
Fresh Face: Dylan Judson, Soph., TE/DE, 6-3, 200
Schedule: Sept. 3 EDMONDS-WOODWAY; Sept. 10 at Woodinville; Sept. 17 KAMIAK; Sept. 24 at Stanwood; Oct. 1 SNOHOMISH; Oct. 8 at Lake Stevens; Oct. 15 ARLINGTON; Oct. 22 at Marysville-Pilchuck
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