It’s time for two-a-days as Tahoma, Kentwood and Kentlake prepare for the start of football season in the South Puget Sound League 4A North.
Kentwood is a perennial contender in the division under sixth-year head coach Rex Norris. Last year the Conquerors finished 8-3 after being bounced by Issaquah in the first round of the playoffs.
This season the Conks return 10 starters from last year’s team, five each to offense and defense, with Norris looking to players like linebacker Nathan Herrick, who was an SPSL Honorable Mention last year as well as kicker Matt Bell, who made Second Team SPSL Special Teams in 2008, and defensive back Triston Askew who earned First Team SPSL.
Also returning for Norris are: Allain Songco, TJ Marcus, Robert Sims, Quijuan Lawson, Taylor Hughes, Jacob Shewey, Taylor White and Mana Victorino. Of the returners, eight are seniors and two are juniors.
For Norris the primary challenges this year will be “improving the turnover margin” and “improving (the) passing game.”
Kentlake also has a number of returning starters from last season.
Falcons Coach Mike Shepard heads into his fourth year looking to make gains from last year.
“I look to see the Falcons improve on last season’s mark of 4-6,” Shepard said in an e-mail. “The team is returning its entire starting offensive line and many of its skill kids.”
Shepard will look to Mike Holzberger, Jesse Giloman, and Tyler Wright, a trio of seniors who will play both sides of the ball, to provide leadership. Other key returners for the Falcons are Taylor Guiberson, Tyler Jewett, Jesse Salazar and Tyler Mortonson.
Giordan Smith, Michael Salazar, Austin Pernell and Ryan Archibald are key newcomers for Kentlake.
He expects the experience his returning players to be key this fall.
“Since the team was fairly young last season, they have some valuable experience,” Shepard said. “In order to accomplish this we need to capitalize on our experience and avoid making the kids of mistakes that cost us games last season… a little luck and staying injury free wouldn’t hurt.”
Tony Davis, heading into his 16th year as Tahoma’s head coach, will be looking at a rebuilding year after going 4-3 in league and 6-4 overall with a loss to Jackson in the district playoffs.
The Bears will have senior Konner Knudtsen returning to start both on offense and defense this year while seniors Tyler Phippen, Nick Bayer, Derek Weston and Cody Gilje will be key returners on defense.
Zach Dopps, a senior linebacker and lineman, along with juniors Niko Madison and Kelly Bolduc will be Davis’ top newcomers this fall.
Reach Kris Hill at khill@covingtonreporter.com or (425)432-1209 ext. 5054.
