Graduation did a number on the Western Conference 4A South Division football landscape. Or at least it would appear that way to the untrained eye.
Last season, a veritable who’s who of Division-I prospects were the toast of the league.
So who’s left for 2003?
“There’s not quite the marquee names of years past, but I’m sure there’s still a ton of talent out there,” Meadowdale quarterback Eric Marty said. “It just hasn’t been as highly publicized.”
Though recruiting classes like last year’s are few and far between, a few big names are still floating around. Like Mountlake Terrace’s Brian Ellersick, Shorewood’s Seth Setterberg and Edmonds-Woodway’s Glenn Gallagher.
Ellersick’s gaudy numbers of a year ago — his 2,214 passing yards pushed his career total to 3,384 — earned the first-team, all-leaguer respect throughout the league.
“He’s the real deal,” Shorecrest coach Mike Wollan said.
Terrace averaged more than four touchdowns per game in 2002 and with Ellersick taking the snaps for the third year in a row, the pass-happy Hawks should continue to light up the scoreboard.
“With ‘Slick’ back, they can beat anybody,” Edmonds-Woodway coach John Gradwohl said.
But an uncanny offense isn’t enough to ensure a postseason berth, as Terrace and Edmonds-Woodway proved a year ago.
The Warriors ran for close to 2,500 yards and averaged nearly 30 points every Friday night, but dropped two of their final three games by a combined 12 points and missed the playoffs.
Gallagher eclipsed 1,100 rushing yards as an injury replacement for Husky recruit Kyle Trew in 2002 and is the latest in a succession of succssesful E-W tailbacks.
“Edmonds-Woodway, with Gallagher, will be effective running the ball,” Wollan said. “That’s their forte.”
Shorewood’s running game is another to watch. The Thunderbirds bring back their entire offensive line to clear a path for Setterberg, a steamrolling fullback with breakaway speed.
Last year’s final playoff berth went down to the final week of the regular season, as Shorewood edged E-W 12-10 behind a last-ditch drive to lock up a second straight postseason appearance.
Kamiak and Mariner claimed the division’s other two berths and are expected by most coaches to remain near the top of the Wesco South standings along with Shorewood and E-W.
“The rest of us scrape and do what we can do to get in that top four,” Mountlake Terrace coach Alex Barashkoff said.
Mariner is thought to have the best chance to unseat two-time defending league champion Kamiak, which suffered susbstantial losses to graduation.
“They’ve got everybody back,” Gradwohl said of the Marauders. “I believe they’re the team to beat.”
Jackson is dealing with the departure of its star quarterback, receiver and running back triad, but shouldn’t be counted out. The Wolf Pack created some momentum at the end of 2002, winning three of its final four games after losing four in a row.
Look for the three-way race for the division’s lone berth to the 3A district playoffs to remain unsettled until the final few weeks of the season.
Meadowdale grabbed the bid last year and reached the first round of the state tournament. But while Marty is breaking in a brand new backfield, 3A rival Shorecrest returns all of its skill players and plans to make a serious run at the Mavs.
Under first-year coach Andrew Burton, Lynnwood is looking to halt a 28-game losing streak. But more than anything else, Burton wants his team to be competitive and to teach his players to leave everything they have on the field.
“Everybody is going to be tough,” Meadowdale coach Mark Stewart said. “It’ll be like last year. It’s going to be tight all the way down to the finish.”
Some of the best football in the area will continue to be played at the small-school level.
Defending Class 1A state champion Archbishop Thomas Murphy has the pieces in place for a repeat of last season’s march to the title.
The Wildcats return all of their top playmakers, including senior running back Jevon Butler, who supplied two touchdowns and set a championship game rushing record in ATM’s 35-14 victory over Royal.
King’s reached the quarterfinals of the 1A state playoffs last year — falling to ATM 28-14 — and brings back third-year quarterback Chris Faidley and its entire offensive line.
While Archbishop Murphy should cruise to the Northwest 1A League crown, it’s difficult to decide between King’s and state semifinalist Cascade Christian for the Chinook League’s top spot.
Their midseason showdown will likely serve as a league title matchup — and quite possibly a playoff preview.
Charlie Laughtland and David Pan cover sports for The Enterprise Newspapers. Questions and comments may be sent by e-mail to entsports@heraldnet.com, by fax to 425-774-8622 or by mail to Sports editor, The Enterprise, 4303 198th St. SW., Lynnwood, WA 98036.
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