A solid core of returning veterans and a talented band of newcomers are energizing the Snohomish County Vikings semipro football team.
An increased turnout is the biggest difference this season and the added numbers have Snohomish County assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Dave Broussard and defensive coordinator Owen Smith licking their chops.
In recent years, the Vikings’ roster has numbered in the mid-40s, but this year the numbers are hovering in the 70s and many of the new players are expected to play key roles.
“We’ve got such depth that I have five solid quarterbacks,” Broussard said. “I’ve got a lot of new guys, really good talent. I’ve got the veterans coming back.”
Smith plans to take full advantage of the increased depth by employing an even more aggressive defensive scheme.
“The way I coach defense is a very attacking style,” Smith said. “It’s more to pressure the offense, to dictate to them what they can and can’t do and this year, having more talented guys that are better in their positions, means I can go even harder. I can up the ante all the way around and just put pressure on from every direction.”
Broussard plans to take a similar approach on offense. Though no final decision has been made, returning starting quarterback John McCourt is expected to lead the backfield when Snohomish County takes on the King County Jaguars in the season opener at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 17 at French Field in Kent.
The Vikings’ running attack is led by a pair of veterans back with 11 years of combined semipro experience — Steve Casino and Mike Harris.
The two are the heart and soul of the Snohomish County offense.
“They are the backbone of the team offensively,” McCourt said. “They motivate everyone just being out there. It’s good to have them back.”
The experienced backfield also includes fullbacks Scott Soden and Jomo Simpkins. One new face who is showing a lot of promise is running back Apollo Lewis.
McCourt has plenty of talented receivers to throw to, including Mountlake Terrace graduate Jordan Curtis, Phil Nugent, Marcello Garcia and Davie Beeks, who is back after recovering from a knee injury. Lynnwood graduate Antwoine Gamble adds to the depth at tight end.
This year’s team could be the all-around best in McCourt’s five seasons with Snohomish County.
“We’ve always been light in the backfield or light in the receivers or light in the line,” McCourt said. “This year we’re pretty much solid all the way around, if they can stay healthy and make it to all the practices and bring it all together.”
The Snohomish County offensive line might well be the largest in the league with several of the linemen tipping the scales at 300 pounds or more.
The top returners are Brandon Reyna (6-foot-6, 375 pounds) and Burley Lockhart (6-4, 330). The new starting center is Jason Porreca (6-0, 302).
Broussard plans to keep the opposition’s defense guessing.
“We’ll do everything this year,” he said. “The thing about (the offensive line) is not only do you have an effective running game because you have such size to be able to push, but you have good pass protection. That’s one thing we’ve been really trying to work out.”
Added McCourt, “They’re the biggest and best line in the league, if they can stay healthy.”
Unlike past seasons when the Vikings have been thin at quarterback after McCourt, this year they have plenty of options.
The depth should help ease the pressure on McCourt, who shouldered most of the responsibilities on the offensive end.
“He’s now able to have some confidence in his backups,” Broussard said. “He doesn’t feel all the pressure is on him to do or die.”
McCourt said that he doesn’t even feel right calling the other quarterbacks his backups, noting that newcomer Tod Shackelford has more experience than he does.
Shackelford, who commutes from Vancouver, B.C., has NFL Europe (formerly known as the World League), Arena and Arena2 experience.
The 41-year-old brings speed and ability along with solid passing skills.
“There is competition going on now for that spot (quarterback),” Broussard said. “I think with the talent we have there probably will be ways for us to incorporate more than John if we see the opportunity to put a good running quarterback in there like Tod. Tod has got the best of both worlds. He’s got an incredible arm and he can run. (Quarterback Daimino) Stewart just takes off and he’s gone. There may be a couple of different things to work with.”
Shackelford planned to retire from football following a tough season in Minnesota.
He couldn’t stay away from the game, though. He played some flag and touch football but his competitive juices for tackle football still flowed. Shackelford later found out about the Northwest Football League on the Internet and eventually contacted Broussard.
Shackelford soon found himself a part of what he describes as a close-knit group of players and coaches, which he sometimes didn’t find in the professional ranks.
“There is really a family type of environment,” Shackelford said. “A lot of guys check their egos at the door, which is something that is a lot different … I like that family togetherness they have. They all seem to circle around (head coach/owner) Wes (Fischer), who I’ve even found to be somewhat of a father figure to me. I really have started to develop good relationships with a lot of the guys.”
Shackelford commutes from Canada every Tuesday and Thursday.
It didn’t take long for him to shake off his rustiness and feel comfortable on the field.
“I started regaining that confidence,” he said. “I feel good right now.”
Smith also has confidence in his defense, especially with the many veterans who are back.
Key defensive returners include linebacker Shorecrest graduate/defensive lineman Ishmael Easton, linebacker Greg Paribello, linebacker Chris Stokes, defensive back Brian Carter and defensive back John Redmond.
“I’ve got a ton of guys that are phenomenal athletes,” Smith said.
The major area Smith was looking to shore up coming into this season was the secondary. Smith feels the problem has been addressed with the addition of five new cornerbacks and three new safeties.
Snohomish County faces a stern test in its opener against defending league champion King County. Though the Jaguars’ numbers may be somewhat down, coach Jeff Scott is regarded as one of the top coaches in the league.
“They always say to be the best you’ve got to beat the best,” Smith said. “Right now the Jaguars are the best.”
The Vikings’ home opener is against an improved Washington Cavaliers team at 6 p.m. Saturday, June 24 at Edmonds Stadium. The two teams scrimmaged against each other earlier this year.
“I see us definitely in the playoff hunt,” Broussard said. “Our main focus is on the Jaguars and getting the season started out right.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
