Kingco Conference's Crest Division Football Capsules

Bellevue Wolverines

Coach - Dwaine Hatch, 18th year (105-61).

1993 record - 4-1 in Crest (tied for first); 8-3 overall (lost in AAA state opener to eventual-champion Tumwater).

Top returning players - OG/NG Darry Hanson (5-6, 170, sr.); OT/OLB Sam Park (5-11, 220, sr.); C David Kuiper (5-11, 185, sr.); LB/FB Peter Armstrong (6-0, 190, sr.); WR/P Mike Romney (5-10, 160, sr.); QB Tommy Ryan (5-11, 175, jr.); HB/SS Joe Kudla (6-0, 170, jr.); HB/CB Eric Crawford (5-9, 175, sr.); OT/DT Caleb Eggleston (6-0, 200, jr.); C Brett Morton (6-4, 286, jr.); TE Jamie Rockwell (5-11, 190, jr.); WR/DB Drew Franklin (5-11, 170, sr.).

Key newcomers - FB Justin Johnson (5-9, 180, so.); OG/LB Jordan Johnson (5-9, 195, sr.); OL/TE/OLB Adam Montgomery (6-0, 210, jr.); DT/TE Sean McClinton (6-1, 205, so.).

Outlook - Wolverines' turnout still hovers around 30 players, but few teams boast Bellevue's talent. Seven starters return, and because of small roster - and often huge victory margins - all of last year's backups enter '94 with regular varsity experience. Transfer from Issaquah of Johnson brothers - especially Justin (2nd in KingCo rushing, 944 yards) - make already strong team a strong contender. Of course, good health is a must.

Interlake Saints

Coach - Bill Heglar, fifth year (8-28).

1993 record - 1-4 in Crest (fifth); 1-8 overall.

Top returning players - RB Dennis Mitchell (6-0, 188, jr.); OT/DT Greg Rossman (6-0, 230, jr.) FB/LB Tom McAndrew (5-10, 180, jr.); TE/DE Ben Ludlow (5-11, 190, sr.); DB Jim Yourkoski (5-11, 170, sr.); RB/LB Joe Spencer (6-0, 180, so.); QB Grant Baldwin (5-10, 160, jr.); LB Brian Hargrove (5-9, 170, sr.); RB Caleb Cha (5-7, 150, jr.); OG Tim Gilley (6-0, 205, sr.); OG Bobby Lindskov (6-0, 205, sr.).

Top newcomers - DL Mike Iosua (6-2, 220, jr.).

Outlook - McAndrew, a scout-team player when last season started, became a starter by midseason and rushed for 643 yards (6.1 per carry). Mitchell, Rossman, Ludlow and Yourkoski also are returning starters. Big play from small line could help Saints to winning track.

Issaquah Indians

Coach - Cary Kodama, fourth year (10-17).

1993 record - 0-5 in Crest (sixth); 2-7 overall.

Top returning players - QB Ken Ferguson (6-1, 180, jr.); C Mark Madeoy (5-8, 180, sr.); OT/DT Ryan Sackville (6-4, 215, sr.); OT/DT Jason Apple (6-3, 230, sr.); WR/DB James Close (5-8, 160, jr.); WR/DB Nick Graham (6-2, 175, sr.); OG/DL Keith Keranen (5-9, 240, jr.) TE/OLB Tony Aguero (5-9, 180, sr.); RB/DB Jeff Bowman (6-0, 170, jr.); FB/LB Tom Kang (5-6, 150, sr.); RB/WR/DB Dom Ursino (5-9, 170, sr.); LB Jesse Schaefer (6-1, 220, jr.); OT/DT Dan Brothers (6-0, 220, jr.).

Top newcomers - FB/SS Dave Verschueren (6-2, 200, sr.); ILB Ben Hildregh (5-11, 180, jr.); RB/DB Mike Barkelew (5-10, 165, sr.).

Outlook - Issaquah was hit harder by transfer losses than graduation losses as three '93 starters moved to other KingCo schools, including the league's top returning rusher (soph. Justin Johnson, Bellevue). But last year's young team returns eight starters. Bowman looks like strong replacement for Johnson. Issaquah could surprise.

Mercer Island Islanders

Coach - Dick Nicholl, 16th year (89-50).

1993 record - 3-2 in Crest (tied for third), 5-4 overall.

Top returning players - RB/LB Jamal Hill (6-3, 215, jr.); QB/DB Kasey Thompson (5-11, 163, sr.); TE/LB Aaron Culver (5-11, 170, sr.); T/DL Jason Koehler (6-3, 233, sr.); FB/DB Jeremy Peterson (5-10, 167, sr.); G/DL Dan Kezner (6-1, 228, sr.); G/DL Warren Ogden (6-1, 180, sr.); WR/DB Scott Sprowls (5-11, 173, sr.); RB/DB Kyle Eng (5-9, 147, sr.); TE/LB Jason Flynn (6-1, 161, sr.); C/DL Eamonn Wiles (6-2, 190, sr.); FB/DL Nick Willich (5-9, 170, sr.); RB/DB J.J. Michael (5-10, 164, sr.); WR/LB Brian Kammerer (5-10, 156, sr.); T/DL J.R. Mitchell (6-0, 225, sr.).

Top newcomers - FB/LB Dan Ahlers (5-8, 182, so.); RB/LB Ryan Houle (6-1, 198, jr.); WR/DB Jamien McCullum (5-11, 150, so.).

Outlook - All-Crest Hill is third-year starter and division's top LB. QB Thompson got varsity snaps as soph and started last year. Six starters return in all, most of them two-way players. Islanders seeking eighth straight winning season - and should get it. Darkhorse for division's one playoff spot.

Newport Knights

Coach - Dan Holden, third year (23-2).

1993 record - 4-1 in Crest (tied for first), 10-2 (lost in AAA state semfinals to eventual-champion Tumwater 31-30 in 2 OT).

Top returning players - OL/DL Matt Alderman (6-3, 285, sr.); OL Taylor Smithburg (6-0, 240, sr.); LB Burke Eathorne (6-0, 208, sr.); LB Ryan Thread (6-2, 216, sr.); TE/DL Russell Stewart (6-5, 217, jr.); DL J.R. Young (6-1, 198, sr.); LB Jake Feld (6-2, 198, sr.).

Top newcomers - HB Sacha Sarieddine (6-1, 182, sr.); QB Shane McCormick (6-3, 176, jr.); HB Chun La (5-8, 163, sr.); DB George Sanders (6-0, 160, sr.); DB Ryan Griffin (6-0, 184, jr.); LB/HB Elliot Escalante (5-11, 181, jr.); OL Craig Burns (6-4, 230, sr.); OL Matt White (6-2, 220, sr.).

Outlook - Only two offensive starters return from state semifinalists. Five starters are back on defense anchored by Alderman, who runs a 4.9-second 40. Defense must carry team until offense catches up -- sounds a lot like 1992 team that won state title. Should contend for another division title and sixth straight state berth.

Sammamish Totems

Coach - Don Papasedero, fourth year (9-18).

1993 record - 3-2 in Crest (tied for third), 5-4 overall.

Top returning players - QB/DB Wyatt Miller (6-1, 180, jr.); RB/DB John Gross (6-1, 185, sr.); DL Scott Kitch (6-0, 188, sr.); LB/RB Lui Williams (5-10, 205, sr.); DL/RB Kyle Rutledge (6-2, 195, sr.); DL Rob Nemes (6-3, 237, sr.); DL Derek Duryea (6-5, 259, sr.); OL/DL Karl Olson (6-0, 237, sr.); DL Dave Reppond (6-3, 235, sr.); TE Lance Knaevelsrud (6-4, 220, sr.); TE Tyson Knaevelsrud (6-4, 2-5, sr.).

Top newcomers - WR John Scesniak (5-9, 155, sr.); RB/LB Michael Kim (6-3, 205, sr.); DB/WR Jason Dewitt (5-9, 145, sr.); DB Josh White (5-9, 150, jr.); RB Christian Kasprowicz (5-10, 154, jr.); DB Nate Humann (5-9, 151, jr.); LB Nick Sweeney (5-10, 185, jr.); LB/RB Ben Kulinski (5-11, 190, jr.); C Jim McCarthy (6-0, 219, sr.); OL Ben Shih (6-0, 220, sr.); OL/DL Mike Wuellner (6-4, 194, jr.); DL Andy Benz (6-2, 238, jr.); DL/OL Tim Day (6-6, 292, jr.); LB/TE Evan Neumann (6-0, 175, jr.).

Outlook - Duryea and Nemes return from all-Crest first-team seasons, and T. Knaevelsrud might be best TE in division. Totems came close last season. Legitimate contender this year. Key game: tomorrow night at Newport (could be make or break for both teams considering short division schedule). ----------------------------------------------------------------- Crest Division football forecast

Predicted order of finish for the 1994 KingCo Conference Crest Division football race, based on a survey of coaches (coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams). Five points awarded for a first-place vote, four for second, etc. (first-place votes in parentheses):

Pts 1993.

1. Bellevue (2) 22 8-3.

(tie) Newport (2) 22 10-2.

3. Sammamish (2) 18 5-4.

4. Mercer Island 13 5-4 .

5. Issaquah 8 2-7 .

6. Interlake 7 1- 8.