As a disclaimer, these observations are simply made from last year’s statistics. I haven’t seen any of the teams practice yet and I’m just assuming non-graduating players will be back this season. In other words, things could change by the time games start.
Lindbergh
The Eagles went 4-6 last year, finishing fourth in the Seamount. The season ended with a 42-39 loss to Bonney Lake.
Reasons to be excited: Leading rusher David Valentine and leading passer Jake Allie are both back. Valentine rushed 140 times for 872 yards and six touchdowns (he also added 258 receiving yards). Allie passed for 1,721 yards, 15 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Both got a lot of playing time and put up good numbers last year. They should progress in their senior seasons to make the offense even better. Willie Creer was third on the team in receptions (16) and fourth in yards (173) and returns for his senior year.
Reasons to temper expectations: Allie needs to improve on his 45-percent completion rate and cut down the 15 interceptions to lead the Eagles’ offense to the next level. Lindbergh started the season 0-4 last year and that effectively ruined the year. The Eagles need to start faster in 2008 if they have hopes of a league title.
Renton
The Indians went 7-3 last year, finishing tied for first in the Seamount. The season ended with a 20-12 loss to Mount Vernon in the preliminary round of the state playoffs.
Reasons to be excited: The Indians tied for first in the Seamount in the standings last season and beat powerhouse Evergreen. Armin Basic will be back to help the defense.
Junior Travino Buckley will likely be the team’s best playmaker on offense. Buckley was second on the team in rushing yards last season with 475, he also scored six touchdowns.
Reasons to temper expectations: The Indians sustained heavy losses, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Justin Gunn, leading rusher Gregory Coleman and leading receiver Marquez Croon are all gone. Renton will need to find playmakers to step in and fill big voids left by the trio.
Hazen
The Highlanders went 3-7 last year, finishing in fifth in the Seamount. The season ended with a 21-14 loss to Enumclaw.
Reasons to be excited: Hazen’s offense found life in the second half last season. The Highlanders scored 26 points in the first five games and 110 in the last five. Junior James Holland should be back after leading the team in rushing with 576 yards. Sophomore Travis Johnson got some time under center last season and could give the team a strong option at that position for years if he can take the starting role and run with it.
Reasons to temper expectations: Hazen played four different quarterbacks last season. The team will need much more consistency this season, if it hopes to move up in the Seamount standings.
Seamount notes:
Kennedy has two of the state’s top athletes this season in Tre Watson and Nolan Washington. The duo should give the Lancers an amazing defensive backfield and speedy offense.
After transforming the football program at Evergreen to an annual league contender, coach Shaun Tarantola moved on to Juanita in Kirkland. Much of the staff went with. How will the Wolverines rebound from the coaching changes?
