Shoreline
The King’s Knights took some time to reflect and bond during the fourth weekend in August, two weeks before their 2008 fall season starts Sept. 5 at home against LaConner.
King’s went on a retreat to Barnes Island in the San Juans, which is owned by Chuck Bundrant, the grandfather of player Sam Hauck, who is the founder of Trident Seafoods, one of the largest seafood companies in the world.
The Knights and their 12th year coach, Jim Shapiro, hope that time together will result in a focus and resolve that improves upon last season when the Knights only win was a forfeit over Archbishop Murphy.
“It was encouraging to see the kids learn how to respect each other and love each other and they set some realistic goals,” Shapiro said. “The spiritual component, with our faith background here, they really took a lot of that seriously and did some reflection with their relationship with God. It was just a good healthy weekend for these guys to set the tone.”
We had some challenges last year, some discipline issues and they have really committed to do their darndest to do things right on and off the field.”
So far, Shapiro has liked what he’s seen.
“I’ve seen that translate into much better practices around here. They’re not sloppy, they’re focused,” he said. “The kids are holding each other accountable, execution is at a higher level than it was last year. All the things we taught each other up at the island they’ve all translated into (better) preseason practices.”
Senior John Burley (6-2, 170), one of the Knights key returners at wide receiver and defensive back, agreed.
“We’re thinking one thing we have going for us is we’re a lot tighter team,” Burley said. “Last year we had some good athletes but we’ve bonded pretty good as a team this year.”
Extra focus will be needed because the Knights are very young team with few seniors and a lot of question marks. The team is untested from the backfield, to the skill positions to the line, Shapiro said.
In the spring, the starting quarterback job was up for grabs but, that’s been settled. Sophomore Thomas Vincent, who has “good feet and good vision,” according to Shapiro, won the job. He played well at the University of Washington camp against bigger schools, Burley said. Sophomore Michael McCardle (5-9, 165) is the backup.
The offense, particularly the running game struggled last year, but sophomore running back Zack Berg, who saw a lot of time as a freshman, is back with more experience.
“It obviously helps to have a year of experience under his belt, he’s more mature,” Burley said. “He’s already a really physically mature kid. I think he’s ready to handle it.”
Hauck (5-7, 160) is the backup running back for the Knights, who will often go with a single-back set, Shapiro said.
The receiving corps is deep and athletic. Along with Burley, junior Nick Swanson (6-0, 165), sophomore Curtis Clauson (6-0, 165) and sophomore Joseph Jaeger (5-9, 160) will spread the field.
The line features four new faces, with junior right tackle Matt Chaney (6-0, 225) the sole returner. Junior Ryker Young (6-1, 220) will play center, junior Jackson Lilleness (5-10, 210) moves from fullback to left guard, junior Paul Lutgen (6-2, 200) moves from tight end to right guard, and senior Joseph Richards (6-0, 220) is as left tackle.
The defense will line up in a 3-5-3 formation because of its small size.
“We’re small up front but we have more linebacker, defensive-back types so you’ll see more of those types of kids on the field,” Shapiro said.
Richards will be at nose tackle, with Chaney and Young at the ends.
Lutgen, Lilleness and Berg play the interior linebacker positions with Seiya Kitchens, Hauck and McCardle on the outside spots.
Swanson and Clauson will be at cornerback with Burley at safety.
On special teams, coached by Daunte Gouge, Hauck and Berg will handle the kicking duties. Swanson will punt and is capable of kicking it 40 yards consistently. Junior Chris Lyon (6-0, 185) has been the team’s long snapper since he was a freshman.
“The kicking game and special teams game is honestly one of our highlights now which is good,” Shapiro said. “It’s an important part of the game, field position.”
King’s, one of two 1A teams in the Cascade Conference along with Coupeville, was picked to finish last in a preseason coaches’ poll. Archbishop Murphy, which forfeited much of last year because it used an ineligible player, is the favorite once again.
“It’s hard to say how our league’s going to stack up,” Shapiro said. “Having seen South Whidbey at UW camp and talking to the Archbishop coaches, I think those are a couple teams that I’m pretty confident are going to bring a good level of football.”
The Knights’ nonleague schedule is easier this year than years’ past with LaConner and Charles Wright, the early season opponents. An early win, or any win, would give this young team a boost of confidence beyond what they experienced last year.
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