Metro League's Mountain Division Football Preview -- Ingraham `Very Hungry' To Win -- After Winless '90, Rams' Appetite Whetted For Improvement

There's not much left at Ingraham High School except the memories, but oh what memories they are.

"Sitting up in the 200 level (of the Kingdome), calling plays . . . I remember that," recalled Gary Pounder, Ingraham's new football coach.

The year was 1988, Kingbowl XII, when Ingraham beat Kentwood 21-0 in the Kingdome. Pounder was then an offensive coordinator, sitting in the press box with the other assistant coaches, calling plays from above.

"Those were good days," Pounder said.

Pounder's Kingbowl memories summon up an interesting fact. Ingraham - yes, the same Ingraham that won no games last season, and won only two the season before - is the only team from the Metro League, Class AAA or Class AA, ever to appear in a Kingbowl game, let alone win one.

Franklin and O'Dea, football powerhouses that they are, haven't played in the Kingdome. Nor has Garfield, Roosevelt, Rainier Beach or Seattle Prep. None of them. Only Ingraham.

In fact, the Rams have been to two Kingbowls. They lost to Snohomish 14-8 in Kingbowl II. Blanchet, now a member of the Metro League, won a state championship in 1974, before the days of Kingbowl, when the Braves were members of the Western Conference.

But if legacies are measured by late-fall appearances in covered stadiums, Ingraham clearly is the franchise of our times.

During Pounder's playing days at Auburn High - he was a star receiver for the Trojans in 1968 - the teams everyone feared in the city were mean Queen Anne High and even meaner Ingraham High.

"They had always been known as a serious threat," said Tom Burggraff, a 1984 graduate of Ingraham and now the team's defensive coordinator. "We've been working on educating the kids on the winning tradition. We want to return to that dominance."

In 1969, the Rams finished No. 1 in the final state poll. The 1970s were speckled with league and district championships and the Kingbowl loss in 1978. The 1980s saw more of the same, culminating in the 1988 Kingbowl.

Contrary to popular memory, Greg Lewis and James Clifford were not on that team. Lewis was a sophomore running back at the University of Washington. Clifford was a freshman linebacker at the UW, the only true freshman to earn a varsity letter.

The Rams were 7-3 during Lewis' senior year at Ingraham. Lewis rushed for 1,293 yards and led the team into the state playoffs. The Rams didn't make state when Clifford was a senior, even though he registered 142 tackles and rushed for 356 yards as a fullback.

Lewis and Clifford would go on to collegiate fame with the Huskies. But the Rams' golden moment would come after two of the best athletes in the school's history left.

"They were a team," said Pounder, Lewis' former backfield coach. "They were together. There were no stars. They played with their hair on fire. That's what we're trying to get them to do this year."

In 1988, the Rams were led by two guys nobody heard from again, Geoffry Wilkins and Simon Robinson. Robinson, who gained more than 1,000 yards his senior year, turned down a full scholarship to Oregon State because he was missing a math credit. His career fizzled at Spokane Falls Community College and Western Washington University. Wilkins broke his leg a day before the all-state game and never returned to the limelight.

Wilkins and Robinson might not have gone on to bigger and better things in football, but they gave the Rams their most recent moment of glory.

When the 1989 season started, the Rams found their turnout cut in half, from more than 100 kids in '88 to fewer than 60. And 34 of them were ineligible. Their coach of four years, Ron Sidenquist, had left to coach at Lake Washington High. Only two starters returned from the Kingbowl team. And the Rams won only two games that year.

Last season, the Rams again had only two returning starters. This time, they lost every game.

Senior co-captain Doug Austin remembers everything from the hype of the Kingbowl season to the despair of the past season.

"After we won the Kingbowl, it was live," Austin said. "Everyone bragged about it. It's very inspirational to us now.

"Teams have lost respect for us. I've had people shake my hand after a game and say, `Thanks for the practice.' "

At one time, beating Ingraham was worth a shirt. Federal Way High, the only team to beat the Rams in 1988, printed up T-shirts proclaiming that fact.

If a return to better times is inevitable, this is the year. Morale is up. Turnout is up. Pounder had 88 applications at the beginning of the season. From that pool, about 64 have suited up.

Pounder's assistants are also committed to bringing Ingraham back to its former form. Five assistants are Ingraham graduates, former all-Metro football players. Four of them played college football.

Craig Danielson, class of '81, went on to be a small-college All-American at Central Washington University. Bart Fortune, class of '83, quarterbacked Central to the NAIA Division II semifinals. He is now Ingraham's offensive coordinator. Kevin Ludlow, class of '81, was a defensive end at Columbia Basin Community College. Burggraff went to Montana State.

"Things are going to change this year," said junior co-captain Dan Alexander. "It's the new coach. We all want to win for him. We all wanted him to be the coach because we respect him."

Said senior co-captain Sedrick Tyson: "There's a lot more discipline on the team this year because everyone wants to play for Coach Pounder. Losing has made us hungry. Very hungry."

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METRO'S MOUNTAIN DIVISION FOOTBALL POLL

Predicted order of finish for the 1991 Metro League's Mountain Division football race, based on a survey of the division's coaches (first-place votes in parentheses; coaches did not vote for own team):

: 1990 : 1990 Team : League : Season ------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Franklin (7) : 5-0, first, Metro AAA : 10-1, lost in state SF . - - - - - - - - -:- - - - - - - - - - - -:- - - - - - - - - - - - - 2. Seattle Prep : 7-1, second place : 8-2, lost playoff opener. - - - - - - - - -:- - - - - - - - - - - -:- - - - - - - - - - - - - 3. Rainier Beach : 5-3, tie, third : 5-4 . - - - - - - - - -:- - - - - - - - - - - -:- - - - - - - - - - - - - 4. Blanchet : 1-3, fourth, Metro AAA: 1-7 . - - - - - - - - -:- - - - - - - - - - - -:- - - - - - - - - - - - - 5. Ingraham : 0-4, fifth, Metro AAA : 0-8 . - - - - - - - - -:- - - - - - - - - - - -:- - - - - - - - - - - - - 6. Hale : 2-6, tie, seventh : 2-7 . - - - - - - - - -:- - - - - - - - - - - -:- - - - - - - - - - - - - 7. Chief Sealth : 2-6, tie, seventh : 2-7 . - - - - - - - - -:- - - - - - - - - - - -:- - - - - - - - - - - - - 8. Cleveland : 0-8, ninth place : 0-9 . -------------------------------------------------------------------

-- Metro League's Sound Division members: O'Dea, Roosevelt, Garfield, Ballard, Eastside Catholic, Lakeside, West Seattle. -- Metro League gets three state playoff berths.

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METRO LEAGUE'S MOUNTAIN DIVISION FOOTBALL CAPSULES

FRANKLIN

-- NICKNAME - Quakers. -- 1990 RECORD - 4-0 in Metro AAA (first); 10-1 season, lost in state semifinals 41-12 to Newport. -- HEAD COACH - Joe Slye, eighth season. -- TOP RETURNEES - OL Vake Helu (Jr., 6-0, 240); OL John Miller (Jr., 6-2, 240); OL Mike Gary (Sr., 6-2, 200); OL Futi Talaga (Sr., 6-0, 220); OL Jerry Wayman (Jr., 5-11, 190); QB Corey Sampson (Sr., 6-0, 180); RB Wayne McDade (Sr., 5-11, 185); RB Rob Jones (Sr., 6-1, 220); WR Andy Fields (Sr., 5-8, 160); WR Aaron Graves (Jr., 5-11, 175); RB Lowell Diers (Jr., 5-11, 180); LB/RB Steve Fukeda (Sr., 5-10, 190); WR Jake Silva (Sr., 5-11, 175); OL/DL Patrick Seumaala (Jr., 6-0, 270). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - RB Cory Dillon (Jr., 6-2, 188); WR Willie Heard (Sr., 5-9, 180); OL/DL Tuti Li (Sr., 6-8, 310). -- OUTLOOK - The Quakers have winning down to a science. This year should be no different. Another league championship will be harder to come by, namely because of O'Dea. In their own division, the Quakers will have to contend with Seattle Prep, another solid program. Franklin, which made it to the Class AAA semifinals last year, is everybody's favorite. Gone are all-star backs Tommy McCoy and Travis Spring. But quarterback Sampson is back, as are running backs McDade, Jones and Diers - all starters last season. The Quakers picked up two valuable transfers, Dillon from Ingraham and Li from Chief Sealth. Franklin never has had the numbers the bigger schools have had, but puts up the big scores. Franklin's entrance into the Class AA ranks might make a trip to the Kingbowl easier. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "This team has a lot of potential. It depends on how badly they want it. Every year we lose some good players, but we have a lot of kids coming back, the new Tommy McCoys, Travis Springs, Mario Baileys and Aaron Pierces. We're basically a team that moves the ball by committee. Whoever has the hot hand and is doing the job that night gets the ball. It breeds more competition."

SEATTLE PREP

-- NICKNAME - Panthers. -- 1990 RECORD - 7-1, in Metro (second); 8-2 season, lost in first round of state playoffs. -- HEAD COACH - Rollie Robbins, third season, 13-6. -- TOP RETURNEES - G/LB Andy Diafos (Sr., 6-1, 196); QB Erik Feider (Sr., 6-4, 202); DB Joe Jackson (Sr., 6-1, 180); LB/FB Chris Koehler (Sr., 6-1, 180); RB/DB Jesse Ottele (Sr., 6-0, 175); FB/LB Jeremy Parr (Sr., 5-9, 183); T/DE Ted Plumis (Sr., 6-0, 185); LB/SE Kirby Winfield (Sr., 6-2, 165); TE/DE Bryan Weathers (Sr., 6-5, 212); RB/SS Kevin McNamee (Sr., 6-0, 196); C/DL Sean Breene (Jr., 6-1, 190); SE/DB Pat Collins (Jr., 6-1, 165); LB Pat Enquist (Jr., 5-11, 160); SS/RB Kevin Erickson (Jr., 5-11, 170); LB/QB/OL Tyler Laughery (Jr., 5-10, 175); LB/OT Ian Tomlinson (Jr., 5-11, 196). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - OT Matt Babb (Jr., 6-3, 224); RB/WR Dan McShane (Sr., 6-1, 187); OL/DL Dereck Moore (Jr., 6-0, 210); G Aaron Shanahan (Jr., 6-0, 165); FB/LB Josh Edwards (So., 5-10, 168). -- OUTLOOK - Prep's skill-position athletes are the most impressive in the league. League rushing leader Kevin McNamee returns after rehabilitation from a knee injury. McNamee, a Division I prospect, led the league in rushing and receiving last season. He had 127 carries for 1,052 yards and 26 receptions for 499 yards. He scored 23 touchdowns, six by pass. He was the only 1,000-yard rusher in the Metro League, AAA or AA. He is the reason Feider doesn't headline this team. He has a new target, Weathers, this season. Both are returning all-leaguers. McNamee's knee, injured during basketball season, is at "96 percent" according to Robbins. Prep's only weak link is its young offensive line. Prep graduated four all-Metro linemen. The program has solidified under Robbins (40 freshmen turned out this year). Last season, the Panthers made the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. Panthers should be more than worthy competition for Franklin. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "We're pushing hard to be consistent. Right now, our concern is putting together a line. Our key positions are going to be fine. It's just a matter of having some experience, being ready to go, and filling the positions around them. The new league alignment will make us all play harder each week."

RAINIER BEACH

-- NICKNAME - Vikings. -- 1990 RECORD - 5-3 in Metro (tie for third), 5-4 season. -- HEAD COACH - Ben Wright, fourth season (16-11 record). -- TOP RETURNEES - DB/RB Jermaine Brooks (Jr., 5-5, 155, all-Metro); DB/RB Lorenzo Marr (Sr., 5-8, 160); QB Roselle Ellis (Jr., 6-2, 180); OL/DL Moli Tuli (Sr., 6-3, 320); OL/DL Faa Segi (Sr., 6-0, 230); LB Mark Anderson (Sr., 6-3, 235); OL/DL Say Ly (Sr., 5-7, 190); DB Tony Chang (Sr., 5-6, 145); WR/DE Kevin King (Sr., 5-11, 190); WR Demone Gore (Sr., 5-8, 135); OL/DL Ricky Edwards (Sr., 5-5, 160); OL/DL Ronnie Abrams (So., 6-0, 320); PK/WR Mike Kim (Sr., 5-7, 175, all-Metro); TE Melvin Stewart (So., 6-2, 195); LB/OL Illi Salanoa (Sr., 6-0, 185); DB Anthony Johnson (Sr., 5-7, 135). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - OL/DL Mike Allenby (Sr., 5-10, 265); FB/LB Irwin Session (Sr., 6-2, 210); DB/WR Anthony Thompson (Jr., 5-8, 135); FB/LB Bobby Dickey (So., 5-8, 185); QB Mike Miller (Sr., 6-3, 195); RB Damon Williams (So., 5-6, 130). -- OUTLOOK - The Vikings got some speedy transfers, and might have enough muscle to give the frontrunners a scare. Thompson and Dickey both came from Renton, Williams from Sealth, Session from West Seattle. Allenby came from Samoa. Thompson and Williams are two of the fastest backs in the league. Kim was the league's most prolific kicker last season. Receivers are much improved, and the team has two able quarterbacks in Miller (a former starter) and Ellis. But the Vikings' true strength is their line of scrimmage. Size abounds. Turnout is down to 44 kids. Beach is used to having about 80 players. Back-up positions are soft, so injuries could hurt the Vikings. First game against Centralia will be a telling sign. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "We're trying to build a system, not a team. A system is going to win a number of games no matter what. Franklin and Prep have the best programs by far. But all the teams are improved this year. There are no slouches. We've worked a lot on technique and execution in practice. We want them hungry when the season starts."

BLANCHET

-- NICKNAME - Braves. -- 1990 RECORD - 1-3 in Metro (fourth), 1-7 season. -- HEAD COACH - George Monica, fourth season (4-20 record). -- TOP RETURNEES - OT/LB Shawn Reynolds (Jr., 6-0, 205); OG/DL Robby Grannum (Jr., 5-9, 180); OG/DL Mike Klaport (Sr., 6-1, 190); FB/LB Brad Tiehen (Sr., 5-9, 170); RB/DB Jamie Sweeney (Sr., 5-8, 150); OT/DT Dusty Brannan (Sr., 6-0, 205); SE/DB Joe Atkinson (Sr., 5-9, 160); SS/TE Tim McDaniel (Sr., 6-1, 180); FS/WR Brian DeBels (Sr., 6-0, 165); LB/WB Eric Phelps (Sr., 6-0, 185). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - RB/DB Vic Tirak (Jr., 5-9, 165); LB/FB Travis Parker (Jr., 5-9, 180); C Joel Blair (Jr., 6-0, 185); OG/LB Todd Williams (Jr., 5-10, 180); QB Trevor Morseburg (Jr., 6-0, 170). -- OUTLOOK - A young group, with only 11 seniors. Their salvation is an experienced offensive line. The Braves beat only one team, Ingraham, last season and should improve. Just how much is uncertain, because of the new Metro alignment. Skill-position players have added experience, except for the quarterback, Morseburg. This will be his first year as a starter. But he will have a good group of receivers to work with. Wide receivers, tight ends and flankers are all solid players. Backfield is seasoned. Last year, three sophomores started on the offensive line. Blocking should be improved this year. Size is average. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "I've read these reports on the small schools that have these 300-pound linemen. I don't know where they get these guys, but I wish they were Catholic. We'll give away some on size, so we have to be quicker. Our line hasn't disappointed me a bit. They've done a terrific job and will be the strength of our team. Another strength is the chemistry. It's an old overworked idea, but these guys genuinely like playing together."

HALE

-- NICKNAME - Raiders. -- 1990 RECORD - 2-6 in Metro (tied for seventh), 2-7 season. -- HEAD COACH - Anthony Franklin, second season (2-7 record). -- TOP RETURNEES - QB Ian Jorgensen (Sr., 6-1, 180); RB Andre Taylor (Jr., 5-11, 175); LB Derrick Scott (Sr., 6-0, 210); C Paul Pegeese (Sr., 6-2, 220); OL Jerry Garcia (Sr., 6-0, 240); Leif Peterson (Jr., 6-0, 185); LB Larry King (Jr., 6-0, 200); LB Tim Ewing (Sr., 6-0, 190); OL Aaron Johnson (Jr., 5-11, 180); DL Richard Petry (Sr., 5-6, 155); DB Brad Horton (Jr., 6-0, 165). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - DL Eric Lawson (So., 6-1, 185); SE/RB Jim Wollord (So., 5-10, 170); DL Robert Groves (So., 6-0, 180). -- OUTLOOK - The Raiders have a lot coming back. They are still leaps away from building a program, but experience and confidence are finally here. Skill-position players are seasoned. Should give most of the league's teams a run. Academic ineligibility is not a problem at Hale. Last year's senior football players all went to college. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "I don't think many teams respect us, but we'll see what happens. We worked pretty hard. I feel like we have some tough games early, but we'll surprise some teams. If anybody takes us too lightly, they'll get into trouble. We're no push-overs, that's for sure. The teams in our division are tough. Most teams in the other division are rebuilding this year."

INGRAHAM

-- NICKNAME - Rams. -- 1990 RECORD - 0-4 in Metro (last), 0-8 season. -- HEAD COACH - Gary Pounder, first season. -- TOP RETURNEES - TE/LB Donte Felder (Sr., 6-2, 205); OL Doug Austin (Sr., 5-10, 240); QB Kevin Ross (Sr., 6-2, 180, all-Metro); FB/LB Kyle Hunt (Sr., 6-0, 190); TB Tom Shinabarger (Sr., 5-7, 140); QB Chris Mills (sr., 6-1, 180); OL Dan Alexander (Jr., 6-2, 240); SS/G Sedrick Tyson (Sr., 5-8, 185); CB/TB Jason Munson (Sr., 5-11, 180); TB/DB Donnie Stringer (JR., 6-1, 175); CB/TB Mark Turner (Jr., 5-9, 155); WR/FS Chris Butler (Sr., 6-1, 180); NT Juan Lozano (Sr., 5-7, 250). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - SE Jack Root (Sr., 5-8, 160); FB/LB Abel Nnabue (Sr., 5-8, 210); G Josh Newton (Sr., 5-9, 205). -- OUTLOOK - In the words of co-captain, Dan Alexander, "we can only go up from a winless season." The Rams have a new coach, who has restored faith in a program that has made two Kingbowl appearances. Two able quarterbacks feature two different talents. Ross passes, Mills runs. Line is big, and there are several receivers with good hands. The Rams had a respectable turnout this season and should redeem themselves. They are a few seasons away from contending for the top spot, but look for them in the thick of things this year. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "There's more discipline on this team now, because a lot of us (coaches) are teachers. We still need to have coaches in the building. You need to watch the kids, kick them in the rear when they need it. And they will need it. I see some of the loads walking around this school, and I wonder why they aren't out for football. I don't know, because I'm not there. Back when I was in high school in '68, Ingraham was quite the terror in football. We'd like to bring that back here."

CHIEF SEALTH

-- NICKNAME - Seahawks. -- 1990 RECORD - 2-6 in Metro (tied for seventh), 2-7 season. -- HEAD COACH - Jacob Ellis second season. -- TOP RETURNEES - OL Dewey Damon (Sr., 6-2, 220); OL Paul Galbraith (Sr., 5-9, 240); OL Scott Seumae (Jr., 5-8, 210); OL Michael Talamaivao (Jr., 5-9, 225); TE Shawn Mullen (So., 6-5, 200); RB Lanell Jackson (So., 5-9, 235); WR Marvin Kasim (Jr., 5-8, 135); WR Adriel Paine (Jr., 5-10, 205); WR Hassen James (Sr., 5-9, 160); WR Troy McIntyre (Sr., 5-10, 140); FS/QB Alfonso Gonzales (Sr., 5-9, 160). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - QB Lenny Johnson (Sr., 6-3, 220); OL Robert Kitonie (Fr., 5-9, 260). -- OUTLOOK - The Seahawks have a respectable trunk of talent, but can't get it open. The problem is academic eligibility. Right now, a lot of Ellis' players aren't making the grade. Team had a healthy turnout with 43 kids. The team will have a different look by homecoming week, the fifth of the season. Right now, the offensive line will carry the team. Overall, the team doesn't have much depth. Talamaivao, Seumae, Jackson and Johnson are all-league prospects. Both Johnson and and Gonzales are top-notch quarterbacks, but both are ineligible. Third-stringer Pepsi Saditain, normally a defensive back, will start tomorrow night against West Seattle. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "That (West Seattle) is going to be a tough game since we don't have much depth. It will be a matter of who gets tired first. I've been impressed in our team's change in attitude. They're a lot more committed. We've made some coaching changes, spending part of our practice time in the classroom. Once we get players eligible, we'll be a different team."

CLEVELAND

-- NICKNAME - Eagles. -- 1990 RECORD - 0-8 in Metro (last), 0-9 season. -- HEAD COACH - Hoover Hopkins, first season. -- TOP RETURNEES - WR/DB Taryll Calhoun (Jr., 5-8, 155); QB/DB Tony Davis (5-10, 152); C/DL Tim Hackenmiller (So., 5-8, 186); G/DL Chi Lee (So., 5-10, 170); TE/DL Jay Jinka (Sr., 6-0, 185); RB/LB Jon McCarty (Sr., 5-11, 190); G/LB Souchio Salphanh (Sr., 5-10, 178); QB/DB Say Xaxouthep (Jr., 5-7, 140). -- TOP NEWCOMERS - TE/LB Cal Johnson Jr. (Sr., 6-1, 190); DL Leonard Carter (Jr., 6-2, 200); WR/DB Josh Timmen (So., 5-9, 150). -- OUTLOOK - The Eagles have been the perennial weaklings of the league. They have lost 21 games in a row, giving them the second-longest losing streak in the state (Tyee has lost 24 in a row). This is a team that sometimes hasn't had enough players to hold a practice. The league beat up on them last year, and nobody is giving them a chance this season. But an infusion of new coaches might turn the Eagles around. Hopkins, a former wide receiver for Don James at the University of Washington, recruited a corps of volunteer assistants, many of them ex-college players, to help build a program. The Eagles might not be ready for a winning season or even a .500 season, but the losing streak is looking fragile this season. The team finally has enough know-how and discipline to play a decent football game. Turnout is at an all-time high and morale is good. Look for the Eagles to surprise some teams. -- COACH'S COMMENT - "I love this community and I love this school. I'd rather coach here than anywhere in the state. I've been a die-hard football person since I was 6 years old. I heard they were thinking of dropping the football program here and the thought horrified me. We have a new coaching staff dedicated to building a winner and competing with the rest of the league. We're still teaching the game, everything from end zone to a three-point stance."