Spsl North Football Caps

SPSL North Division football forecast

South Puget Sound League's North Division 1994 football forecast from the league's coaches. Scoring based on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 basis. First-place votes in parentheses (coaches not allowed to vote for their own teams). As a first-year coach in the league, Jefferson's Buddy Bland declined to participate.

Pts 1993

1. Auburn (2) 27 10-2

2. Kent-Meridian (3) 26 4-5

3. Kentwood (1) 25 6-3

4. Kentridge 17 7-2

5. Decatur 13 2-7

6. Federal Way 11 5-4

7. Jefferson 10 3-6

1993 Class AAA state playoffs: Auburn beat Puyallup in preliminary playoff, beat Cascade in first round, lost to Tumwater in quarterfinals. Kentridge lost to South Kitsap in opening round.

Auburn Trojans

Coach - Bob Jones, fifth year (35-9 record).

1993 record - 5-1 league (tied for first), 10-2 overall (lost to Tumwater in state quarterfinals).

Key returnees - Travis Stombaugh, QB/OLB, 6-2, 200, Sr; Macoy Pedebone, RB/ILB, 5-8, 185, Sr.; Greg DeBolt, WR/DB/K, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Brian Petersen, TE/DE, 6-2, 230, Sr.; Marc Cady, C/DE, 6-2, 220, Sr.; Cameron Banks, WR/LB, 6-3, 200, Sr.; Brian Criddle, C/LB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Mike Mondt, G/T, 6-1, 215, Jr.; David Stockton, G/ILB, 6-1, 220, Jr.

Key newcomers - Reuben Ferguson, WR/DB, 5-9, 150, Jr.; Jason Cole, WR/DB, 6-2, 185, Jr.; Rian Coffey, TE/LB, 6-0, 190, Jr.; Ryan Rossmeier, T/DE, 6-2, 190.

Outlook - With just three returning starters on defense and one on offense, the Trojans basically are starting from scratch. But they've been there before and wound up in the state semifinals. They're especially untested in the secondary. Up front, they're not as big as in the past, but more athletic.

Decatur Gators

Coach - Kent Rodseth, second year (2-7 record).

1993 record - 1-5 league (seventh), 2-7 overall.

Key returnees - Chad Stalder, T/DE, 6-3, 230, Sr.; Heath Rayno, WR, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Andy Anderson, QB/OLB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Jared Austin, RB/CB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Adam Wiren, OL/ILB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Scot Lynch, C/ILB, 6-1, 195, Sr.; Grant Richards, TE/DE, 6-3, 220, Sr.; Lewis Dawson, WR/ 6-0, 175, Sr.

Key newcomers - Crosby Washington, RB/ILB, 6-0, 195, Sr.; J.R. Falkhagen, WR/DB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Casey Hills, 6-2, 205, RB/ILB, Jr.; Justin Stiles, QB, 6-0, 170, Jr.; Mike Johnson, SB, DB, 5-9, 155, So.

Outlook - With an improved running attack, the Gators hope to make a dash for the playoffs. Stalder is a force on both sides of the ball. Look for big seasons from Stiles and Hills. Decatur's depth is questionable, so avoiding injuries is a must.

Federal Way Eagles

Coach - Tom McConnaughey, seventh year (17-37 record).

1993 record - 2-4 league (tied for fifth), 5-4 overall.

Key returnees - Mike Davisson, WR/DB, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Shane Sehlin, QB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Gary Brest, WR, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Alex Puckett, RB/LB, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Aaron Gemar, RB/LB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Hamilton Raiford, TE/OLB, 6-3, 200, Sr.; Ryan Ruiz, T/T, 6-3, 350, Sr.; Aaron Ashe, WR/DB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Toby Delgado, TE/T, 6-4, 200, Sr.; Mike Henry, RB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Ty Twine, WR/DB, 5-9, 160, Jr.; Jake Cutright, G/NG, 6-0, 190, Jr.

Key newcomers - Joe Compton, T/NG, 6-3, 245, Sr.; Tony Stone, RB, 5-10, 180, Jr.; Josh Steele, QB/P, 5-11, 165, Jr.; George Thompson, QB/DB, 6-3, 170, Jr.; Phil Johnson, G/OLB, 6-3, 225, Jr.; Tom Priestman, T/TE/ILB, 6-3, 235, So.

Outlook - This is the season the Eagles have been building toward the past two years. They are coming off their first winning campaign in 11 years. One key is putting together a passing attack to go with the running game they established last year (No. 1 in the league), and Davisson will help there. Another is becoming a possession team instead of relying on the big play.

Jefferson Raiders

Coach - Buddy Bland, first year.

1993 record - 2-4 league (tied for fifth), 3-6 overall.

Key returnees - Marcus Cannady, LB, 6-1, 220, Sr.; Bryan Pittman, DL, 6-3, 245, Sr.; Pat O'Brien, LB, 6-0, 195, Sr.; Sean O'Laughlin, QB, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Phil Alexander, RB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Jason Brown, WR, 6-3, 185, Sr.; Brian Hollis, OL, 6-0, 235, Sr.

Key newcomers - Mike Morris, RB, 5-10, 170, Sr.; Tommy Young, OL, 6-3, 260, So.

Outlook - Gaining some early confidence will be a key for the Raiders, who failed to live up to high expectations last season. They must adjust quickly to Bland's new offensive system and should improve steadily. Cannady and O'Brien lead a strong linebacker corps.

Kent-Meridian Royals

Coach - Bruce Rick, sixth year (21-25 record).

1993 record - 3-3 league (tied for third), 4-5 overall.

Key returnees - Mat Orndorff, T/T, 6-3, 238, Sr.; Chris Lemon, RB/FS, 5-11, 192, Sr.; Gerald Harris, WR/CB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Jeremy Dehnert, QB/LB, 5-11, 184, Sr.; Josh Dehnert, FB/LB, 5-9, 185, Sr.; Isaiah Abram, FB/LB, 6-0, 186, Sr; David Hammond, G/DE, 5-11, 184, Sr.; David Nelson, TE/LB, 6-3, 193, Sr.; Bennie Townsend, WR/FS, 6-0, 157, Sr.; Ryan Sawyer, G/DE, 6-2, 201, Jr.

Key newcomers - Julian Lute, FL/CB, 5-9, 172, Sr.; Marcus Nirschl, T/T, 5-11, 242, Sr.; Brett Dupree, NG, 5-7, 214, Jr.

Outlook - Defense should be K-M's strength with eight returning starters. Lemon will make a lot of noise in both backfields, but the offensive line is a question mark. Orndorff gives the Royals a good place to start there. Should be a contender for the division title.

Kentridge Chargers

Coach - Marty Osborn, fourth year (17-11 record).

1993 record - 5-1 league (tied for first), 7-3 overall (lost to South Kitsap in opening round of state playoffs).

Key returnees - Mike Brazier, WR/OLB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; John Grose, RB/ILB, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Rick Peterson, OL/DE, 6-2, 220, Sr.; Glenn Duggan, OL/DE, 6-2,220, Sr.; Owen Hubbs, OL, 6-2, 230, Sr.; Jim Hitch, RB/OLB, 5-8, 185, Sr.; Doug Yuasa, TE/OLB, 5-8, 180, Sr.; Jason Lewis, OL/DT, 6-3, 235, Sr.; Marty Bonham, OL/T, 6-1, 218, Jr.; Troy Stockwell, FB/DB, 5-6, 175, Jr.; Darren Moore, FB/OLB, 5-11, 180, Jr.

Key newcomers - Pernell Aio, QB/FS, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Nate Mallory, TE/ILB, 6-2, 200, So.; Andy Linscott, QB/CB, 5-10, 160, So.; Imani Dupree, WR/DB, 5-11, 155, So.

Outlook - Heavy graduation losses make Kentridge one of the mystery teams for 1994. But Osborn believes the Chargers can be in the playoff mix again if their young players step up. Consistency on offense will be a key.

Kentwood Conquerors

Coach - Tom Ingles, fifth year (26-14 record).

1993 record - 3-3 league (tied for third), 6-3 overall.

Key returnees - Don LaBorde, RB/FS, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Blake Wilson, QB/SS, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Chris Zorich, TE/T, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Scott Anderson, WR/SS, 6-0, 175; John Anderson, CB, 5-7, 160, Sr.; Chris Day, CB, 5-7, 160, Sr.; Scott Meyer, G/LB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Dan Reichert, OLB, 6-2, 200, Sr.; Jason Trotignon, K/OLB, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Tunnell Chocklon, T/T, 6-1, 215, Sr.

Key newcomers - Kevin Currey, QB/ILB, 5-8, 175, Sr.; Tom Still, RB/LB, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Mike McCowen, RB/LB, 5-11, 230, Sr.; Brian Tremaine, NG, 6-2, 250, Jr.; Jeremy Lee, G, 6-0, 210, Jr.; Ryan Alvis, FB/LB, 6-0, 185, Jr.

Outlook - LaBorde and Wilson hope to lead the Conquerors back to the top of the division. This is a much smaller Kentwood team than last year, both in numbers and physical size, but the quality is up. Depth is a concern.