SHORELINE
As the Shorewood football team wraps up spring practices, the players appear more confident and prepared than last year going into the fall.
The Thunderbirds went 1-9 last year, their only win a non-league win over Monroe in the season finale in coach Andrew Hershey’s first year. They return seven starters on offense and seven on defense.
“We’re light years ahead of where we were last year,” Hershey said. “We’re making good progress. I think we’ll be improved on both sides of the ball.”
Will that translate into more wins or will the team just be happy to playing football? Of course Shorewood fans will have to wait until September to find out.
Shorewood is also one of eight teams who will play in The Best of the West Football Classic Sept. 20 at Qwest Field. The T-birds will play against Kamiak at 10:30 a.m.
“It will be an experience,” quarterback and co-captain Jon-O Hendricks said. Kamiak, a Wesco South powerhouse, was asked to participate and its game with Shorewood fell on the date of the Classic.
“It’s real exciting for our kids,” Hershey said. “They’re jazzed about it.”
The returning starters on offense include senior-to-be Dorian Lair (6-0, 207), the team’s leading rusher, at running back; senior-to-be Hendricks (5-10, 154) at quarterback; senior-to-be Geordan Medalia (5-11, 221) at offensive tackle; junior-to-be Demarcus Taylor (6-3, 177) at tight end; junior-to-be Luke Nelson (6-0, 153) at wide receiver; and senior-to-be Taylor Astel (6-3, 215) at tight end.
Hendricks expects to be more settled this fall than last year when it was trial-by-fire as a first-year starter.
“Last year it was like we needed a quarterback and I was the one to do it, but I’ve been preparing for quarterback all off-season,” Hendricks said. “We’ve got running backs, receivers. I’m a lot more prepared to take charge of the offense.”
On defense the Thunderbirds return senior-to-be Steven McGinley (5-8, 166) at cornerback, Lair moves from linebacker to safety, senior-to-be and co-captain Peter Huynh (5-7, 175) anchors the linebackers, Hendricks plays safety, senior-to-be Zack Marsh (5-10, 232) plays nose guard and senior-to-be Dan Lydin (6-2, 211) plays nose guard. Junior-to-be linebacker Dylan Shepard (5-10, 180) did not turn out for spring drills but may return in the fall. The T-birds also have junior-to-be Will Benson (5-9, 165) at outside linebacker.
“We’re definitely optimistic. We have a few guys missing. We’re definitely way farther than we were last year as far as the knowledge goes with our system,” Huynh said. “We’re building off it. We have a few more looks.”
Usual powerhouses Edmonds-Woodway and Kamiak figure to be at the top of the league.
The Wesco 4A South loses 3A teams Meadowdale, Lynnwood and Shorecrest and adds Cascade.
“The 4A South is definitely a tough, tough league,” Hershey said. “It’s a great challenge for us.”
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