LYNNWOOD
This year’s Meadowdale football team sure has a tough act to follow.
The Mavericks made an impressive playoff run in 2007, advancing to the Class 3A state quarterfinals where they lost to perennial powerhouse O’Dea. It was Meadowdale’s first state appearance since 2004 and first appearance in the state quarterfinals since 1979.
This year’s group of players aren’t feeling any pressure following in the footsteps of the 2007 squad. In fact, success has only made the Mavericks hungrier for a deeper run into the playoffs and Meadowdale appears to have the experience and talent to meet the challenge.
The numbers certainly are in Meadowdale’s favor. The Mavericks return 14 starters and has a talented and experienced senior class of 20 players.
The talent level is as high as it has ever been under Meadowdale coach Mark Stewart, who is entering his ninth season at the helm of the Mavericks.
“This is probably collectively the best skill players we’ve had in terms of returning players that were in our skill positions that have a year under their belt of experience,” Stewart said. “Everybody plays that much better. They kind of know what to expect.”
Meadowdale returns its entire backfield, including senior quarterback Matt McDonagh, senior running back Darin Dysart and junior running backs Sam Werner and Naji Moore-Taylor. One potential newcomer in the backfield is senior Ben Shebly, who Stewart plans to use as a fullback.
“This year we’re set. We know who goes where and what plays we’re doing,” McDonagh said.
The running backs all bring a different dimension to the Meadowdale offense.
“Naji is quick and really powerful,” Dysart said. “Sam has got some of the best feet I’ve ever seen.”
Dysart blocks well and is the player the Mavericks likely will turn to in key situations, according to McDonagh.
“He’s probably our hardest working guy out there,” McDonagh added.
With a full season of varsity ball under his belt, McDonagh feels far more comfortable in the pocket and it shows.
“He sees things better. The balls are out quicker,” Stewart said. “His accuracy is better. He’s put in a lot of work, a lot of work in the spring through the summer with his receivers. He’s got that confidence that you expect a returning starting quarterback to come back with. He had a pretty good season last year, especially down the stretch.”
One of McDonagh’s favorite targets, tight end Jacob Clampitt, graduated, but the Mavericks have a pretty good replacement in Connor Hamlett. The 6-foot-6 junior has the potential to be just as good as Clampitt, a first-team, all-league selection who also played in the East-West all-star football game.
“We’re plugging in pretty good people in some spots,” Stewart said.
Hamlett bounced around in a number of different positions last season as Stewart and his staff tried to figure out the best place to put him.
“He’s a big target,” McDonagh said. “He’s got magnets for hands. He’s a great fill-in.”
Senior wide receiver Cameron Bayer also figures to see plenty of balls from McDonagh.
The major losses from a year ago are on the offensive line with the departures of Connor Nelson and Eric Secrist. Meadowdale will look to senior linemen Brian Kramer and Dylan Griffiths, both of whom started last season.
“We have to replace those guys (Nelson and Secrist),” Stewart said. “If there’s a thing we have to do, we have to gel as an offensive line.”
Stewart likes what he’s seen from the newcomers on the offensive line, but admits he’s curious to see how they’ll react to Friday nights under the lights.
“We might not be as big as the other (teams), but I have confidence in my guys,” McDonagh added. “We’re quick and we’re a lot stronger than years past. I have all the confidence in the world in them.”
On defense, the Mavericks lost a pair of starting linebackers in Nick Montanari and Tyler Tallman, two of the team’s top defensive players. Key returners include senior linebacker A.J. Carroll and senior defensive back Nasser Kyobe.
“The young guys, they’re looking good,” Kyobe said. “We went to camp and they did very well. It hurts to lose those guys (Montanari and Tallman) but we should be fine.”
Last year’s success definitely was a confidence booster for the players.
“We know now we can do it,” Dysart said. “We kind of know how the competition gets a lot harder as we move up to the levels. I think this year we’re a lot more prepared to work for the Tacoma Dome. … I think we have the talent to do it. We need to make sure everyone stays focused and we keep our eyes on what we want.”
The 42-7 state semifinal loss to O’Dea at Edmonds Stadium also provides plenty of motivation for the returning players. The players haven’t forgotten how the loss felt.
“We’ve got to learn from it,” Carroll said. “It leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. We have to just use it as motivation to go further this year.”
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