Cascade League Football Capsules

CEDARCREST RED WOLVES

-- Head coach - Gene Yerabek, fourth year (21-8 record).

-- 1992 record - 9-1, Cascade League champs, lost playoff opener to eventual state-champion Eatonville, 43-20.

-- Top returning players - DB/HB Tom Quinn (sr., 6-1, 175), QB Scott Farnworth (sr., 6-1, 170), LB/FB N.C. Scharer (sr., 5-9, 180), TE/OLB Sean Smith (sr., 6-3, 195), OL/DL Scott Anderson (sr., 5-9, 190), OLB/WB Mark Neuman (sr., 6-0, 175), G/LB Brook Starns (sr., 5-9, 190).

-- Top newcomers -- C David Heyting (jr., 6-2, 190), OL/DL Billy Ojeda (jr., 6-2, 220), LB Nick Romanelli (so., 5-9, 175).

-- Outlook - Don't get confused, Tolt fans. Despite the new address, slightly altered school colors and new mascot - Red Wolves - these guys are your old Demons. Sort of. Graduation took seven starters from each side of last year's powerhouse, but enough returns, especially on a defense anchored by all-leaguers Quinn and Scharer, to assure the new school will have a contender. Exit of perennial league power South Whidbey to Class AA ranks makes Wolves Cascade League favorites.

COUPEVILLE WOLVES

-- Head coach - Ron Bagby, 10th year.

-- 1992 record - 1-5 in league (sixth), 4-5 season.

-- Top returning players - OL/DL Jerimiah Prater (sr., 6-3, 248), G/LB Scott Gadbois (sr., 5-10, 180), C/LB Jimmy Bennett (jr., 5-11, 185), OL/DL Cody West (so., 6-1, 241), QB/DE Virgil Roehl (sr., 6-3, 200), RB/DE Kit Manzanares (sr., 6-2, 185), LB/RB Scott Kirkwood (sr., 5-10, 170), TE/DT Brad Miller (jr., 6-3, 230).

-- Top newcomers - DB/RB Jason Hughes (sr., 5-10, 160), WR/DB Chris Cox (sr., 5-11, 145).

-- Outlook - Strong group of linemen among seven returning starters make former Class B Wolves contenders for first time in three seasons in Cascade League. Prater, Manzanares and Roehl were all second-team all-league picks last year - Roehl at tight end. He'll move to fill vacated quarterback spot because of his athletic and leadership abilities. Weakness is team depth. Sept. 24 league opener against Cedarcrest might decide league champion.

GRANITE FALLS TIGERS

-- Coach - John Mitchell, second year (5-4).

-- 1992 record - 4-2 in league (third), 5-4 season.

-- Returning starters - Jeff Spromberg, QB, 5-8, 150, Jr.; Ryan Penka, TE, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Sam Day, T, 6-2, 245, Sr.; Justin Palitz, G/DE, 6-2, 210, Sr.; Ted Bergstrom, T, 6-0, 216, Sr.; Eddie Brown, SE/DB, 5-11, 165, Jr.; Rudy Geicek, DT, 6-5, 266, Jr.; Jason Bernethy, S, 5-9, 150, Jr.; Jesse Mandsager, CB, 5-10, 165, Jr.

-- Key newcomers - Steve London, TB, 5-11, 180, So.; Tony Walker, FL, 6-0, 150, Jr.

-- Outlook - The Tigers have a big and veteran line back on offense and defense to help an inexperienced backfield adjust to the Cascade League. Could nab a playoff spot.

KING'S KNIGHTS

-- Head coach - Russ Roberts, first year.

-- 1992 record - 2-4 in league (fifth), 3-6 season.

-- Returning starters - Graham Epperson, QB, 5-9, 150, Sr.; Dan Shields, WR/LB, 6-2, 180, Sr.: Aaron Kelly, WR, 6-3, 170, Sr.; Chris Elston, RB, 5-7, 165, Sr.; Tyson Ackerstrom, T, 5-10, 210, Sr.

-- Key newcomers - Marcus Shelton, LB, 5-7, 155, Jr.; Andy Nevin, G/LB, 6-0, 185, Jr.; Kevin Urie, G, 5-10, 170, So.; Shipley Ennis, CB, 5-9, 160, So.; Brian Marsit, FB, 6-0, 185, Fr.

-- Outlook - The Knights will be young and fast, but need to overcome a lack of size and depth. A strong group of underclassmen (29 freshman and sophomores) point toward a bright future.

LAKEWOOD COUGARS

-- Head coach - Jay Adams, third year (5-13).

-- 1992 record - 3-3 in league (fourth), 4-5 season.

-- Returning starters - Jason DeFord, T/DE, 6-6, 215, Sr.; Shain Heuer, G/DT, 6-1, 210, Jr.; Jamie Kane, C, 6-1, 200; Scott Rumple, T/LB, 6-2, 195, Sr.; Shaun Steeves, TE/LB, 6-0, 210; Chris Kemsley, RB/DB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Mark Miller, WR/DB, 5-10, 165, Jr.; ; Marshall Mougine, WR/DB, 6-2, 165, Jr.; Kip Shepherd, LB, 5-10, 160, Jr.

-- Key newcomers - Curt Russell, G/LB, 5-11, 215, Sr.

-- Outlook - The Cougars are huge up front. If newcomers in backfield can keep from fumbling, Lakewood could challenge for league title.

SULTAN TURKS

-- Head coach - Jim Armstrong, sixth year.

-- 1992 record - 0-6 in league (last), 0-9 season.

-- Top returning players - QB/CB Todd Weideman (sr., 5-10, 165), RB/LB Chris Yonkaisits (sr., 6-0, 175), TE/LB Eric Van Decasteele (jr., 6-4, 210), OL/LB Ben Tuttle (so., 6-2, 180), OL/DL Luke Kotovic (so., 5-11, 175), FB/LB Aaron Jones (jr., 5-10, 165).

-- Top newcomers - OL/DL Jesse Baylor (sr., 5-10, 175), RB/LB Cody Firestone (jr., 5-10, 175).

-- Outlook - Turks return all offensive linemen but one (he transferred) and have experience at QB and RB. Team quickness and depth should help Turks make big improvement over last year. Lack of size and upperclassmen in starting lineup will keep Sultan out of contention.

Compiled by Victor Yoshida and Gordon Wittenmyer, Seattle Times staff reporters.