Wesco AAA South Capsules

Cascade

Coach - Terry Ennis, seventh season at Cascade (60-12), 24th overall (162-58).

1994 record - 8-0 in league (WesCo champions), 11-1 overall.

Returning starters - Austin Matson, LB/T, 6-2 1/2, 217, Sr.; Toure Butler, RB/DB, 5-8, 158, Sr.; Dan Jennings, FB, 5-9, 173, Sr.; Heath Owens, DE, 5-11, 212, Sr.; Jamel Allen, DB, 5-11, 172, Sr.; Troy Collins, DT, 5-10, 233, Sr.

Others to watch - Dave Reynolds, FB/LB, 5-10, 194, Sr.; J.J. Butler, RB/DB, 5-9, 170, Jr.

Outlook - The beat goes on at Cascade, which has won the past six WesCo titles. Need to plug some holes at quarterback and offensive line but with some talented players and one of the state's best coaches in Ennis, the Bruins are a near lock to extend their season to beyond nine games.

Coach's comment - "We're not loaded with college-bound stars. If this team is going to be successful, then this team is going to want to be a good team. . . . We have three very tough games the first three weeks. We need to make progress quickly."

Season opener - At Snohomish Sept. 8.

Edmonds-Woodway

Coach - Mike Anderson, eighth season (34-37).

1994 record - 3-5 in league, 3-6 overall.

Returning starters - Paul Chang, LB, 5-6, 184, Sr.; Jeremy Doane, FB/SS, 5-10, 173, Sr.; Sam Glassburn, OT/DT, 6-5, 238, Sr.; Paul Kieffer, TE/DE, 6-3, 180, Sr.; Cory Spellman, OT/DT, 6-3, 252, Sr.

Others to watch - Jeremy Grimsby, G/NT, 5-8, 184, Sr.; Brett

Meyring, FB/LB, 6-2, 196, Jr.; Chad Philip, WR/CB, 5-10, 148, Sr.; Nadrece Robinson, QB/WR/S, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Ben Swenson, QB, 5-11, 215, Sr.; Clay Tolliver, WR/CB, 6-1, 171, Sr.

Outlook - E-W has some talent, especially in the line and at wide receiver. Anderson credits new assistant coach Scott Laigo for making the E-W defense more aggressive. With a more consistent defense, E-W could be in the thick of the playoff race.

Coach's comment - "At Edmonds-Woodway, we have the parts for a precision machine. Time will tell if we can produce that machine."

Season opener - At Redmond Sept. 8.

Kamiak

Coach - Tim Mead, third season at Kamiak (6-12), fifth overall (19-18).

1994 record - 5-3 in WesCo AA, 5-4 overall.

Returning starters - Andrew Austin, TE/LB, 6-2, 190, Sr.; Eric Bates, FB/LB, 5-7, 190, Sr.; Mitch Boden, C/DT, 6-1, 205, Sr.; Brandon Christensen, WR/DB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Mike Clarke, RB/DB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Clarence Trindad, WR/DB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Shaune Wheeler, T/DT, 6-3, 225, Sr.; Nick Fletcher, QB/LB, 6-2, 215, Sr.; Josh Jansen, FB/LB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Josh Wright, T/DT, 6-5, 280, Jr.; Josh Walter, WR/DB, 5-11, 170, Jr.

Outlook - The Knights were a competitive Class AA team in their second year but moving up to AAA will place a premium on depth. Forcing opponents into turnovers while minimizing mistakes on offense will be a key for the Knights. Several coaches picked the Knights to be the top challenger to powerhouse Cascade.

Coach's comment - "Realistically, we fit somewhere in the middle of the league, but we hope to battle for a playoff spot."

Season opener - At Arlington Sept. 8.

MARINER

Coach - John Ondriezek, third season (9-9).

1994 record - 5-3 in league, 5-4 overall.

Returning starters - Riall Johnson, FB/DE, 6-3, 225, Sr.; Danny Siders, WR/DB/P, 6-4, 202, Sr.; Jerry Bryant, WR/CB, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Nate Stoner, DL, 5-9, 240, Sr.; Jeremiah Wise, DL, 5-10, 205, Sr.; Ivan Kicey, LB, 5-9, 175, Jr.; Lamont Brightful, CB, 5-10, 150, Jr.; Joe Vodegel, OLB, 5-10, 165, Jr.; Tim Rambow, OLB, 5-10, 185, Jr.

Others to watch - Eric Nava, G/LB, 5-11, 205, Sr.; Wayne Parker, OLB, 5-11, 175, Jr.

Outlook - The Marauders were the surprise team of WesCo last season, earning Ondriezek co-coach of the year honors in a vote of his peers. Mariner, led by a stud on defense in Johnson (fast, strong and agile), may not sneak up on anyone this season but should figure prominently in the playoff race. Need to develop depth and a consistent quarterback to handle the run-and-shoot offense in order to make a run at the playoffs.

Coach's comment - "If we continue to work hard, this team has an opportunity to have a very good football season. We're excited. The kids worked hard all summer in the running program and the weight program. They've started off the season with a positive, competitive attitude."

Season opener - Hosts Everett Sept. 8.

Mountlake Terrace

Coach - Jim Norton, fourth season (2-25).

1994 record - 1-8 in league, 1-9 overall.

Returning starters - Ryan Johnson, QB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Tate Kanealii, RB/S, 5-10, 160, Sr.

Others to watch - Josh Burgner, FB/ILB, 6-1, 190, Sr.; Brandon Nett, 6-3, 195, TE, Sr.; Sean Connor, OG/DE, 6-0, 180, Sr.; Varun Peter, C/MLB, 6-0, 200, Sr.; Scott Hedges, G/DT, 6-1, 230, Sr.; John Silva, WB/RB, 5-9, 165, Jr.; Eugene Smith, NG, 6-0, 260, Jr.

Outlook - Things are looking up for the Hawks. With 100 players turning out (the most in several years at Terrace) - including a good freshman class - and plenty of speed in key spots, the Hawks could surprise a team or two this season. Norton credits new defensive coordinator Scott Dillinger for big defensive improvement, where the Hawks sorely needed it.

Coach's comment - "I really am optimistic. We're competing with teams like us that don't have middle-school programs. We have enough kids to hold a scrimmage and we should have a good JV program. . . . We've got to get much better defensively. Our offense did a nice job last year and we were able to put points on the board, but we couldn't stop anyone."

Season opener - At Mount Vernon Sept. 8.

Shorecrest

Coach - Paul Lesh, first season.

1994 record - 6-2 in WesCo AA, 8-3 overall.

Returning starters - Reid Anderson, QB, 6-1, 185, Sr.; Isaac Morris, DT, 6-1, 235, Sr.; Josh Vail, T/DT, 6-3, 215, Sr.; Dan Lloyd, DT, 5-10, 205, Sr.; Zach Reed, TE, 6-5, 215, Sr.

Others to watch - Keuhno Park, LB, 5-8, 162, Jr.; Ryan Schaeffer, WR, 6-0, 170, Sr.; John Brodie, WR/DB, 5-9, 155, Sr.; Kevin Giboney, WR/QB, 6-2, 180, Jr.; Rico Sands, RB, 5-7, 153, Sr.; Gavin Sullivan, RB/DB, 5-11, 165, Sr.; Justin Schaeffer, WR, 5-9, 163, Sr.; Tom Giles, TE/DE, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Cale LaCasse, RB/DE, 6-0, 185, Jr.; Kirby Kinchen, RB, 5-8, 190, Sr.; Kurtis Thatcher, T, 6-4, 265, Jr.

Outlook - The Scots should adapt nicely to the WesCo AAA this season. Shorecrest has a talented, smart and gutsy QB in Anderson and some size and experience in the line. Shorecrest needs to find a dependable running back or two to make a hard charge for a playoff spot.

Coach's comment - "We hope to be competitive in all of our games, possibly for a playoff spot with the maturing of this young team and avoiding any key injuries."

Season opener - At Marysville-Pilchuck Sept. 8.

Shorewood

Coach - Michael Sherry, first season.

1994 record - 0-8 in league, 0-9 overall.

Returning starters - Jason Rubin, QB/S, 6-2, 175, Sr.; Sean Chitwood, QB, 6-3, 190, Jr.; Rob Coffey, C/LB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Andrew Duffek, RB/LB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Justin Franklin, WR/S, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Marcus Glade, RB/CB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Kevin Griffin, RB, 6-2, 205, Sr.; Josh Hooyboer, OL/DL, 6-3, 255, Sr.; Jack Kim, OL/DL, 6-1, 235, Jr.; Jimmy Matthews, TE/OLB, 6-2, 205, Jr.; Lance McCann, MLB, 6-0, 175, Sr.; Brian Olson, FB/LB, 6-2, 215, Sr.; Dave Puvogel, OL/DL, 6-2, 255, Sr.; Eric Schmidt, OL/DL, 6-2, 235, Sr.; Eddy Pletner, WR/DB, 5-9, 155, Sr.

Others to watch - Richard Hall, QB, 6-2, 175, So.; Kevin Fagan, RB/DE, 6-2, 200, So.; Damon Morrison, RB/LB, 5-11, 175, Jr.; Brock Johnson, RB/LB, 5-11, 175, So.

Outlook - The enthusiastic Sherry never mentions anything like a five-year program. He expects the Thunderbirds to be better this season, not a few years down the road. `Mediocrity will not be tolerated' is a common Sherry theme. A quality linebacker in Olson will lead the defense, which must cut down on yielding the big play.

Coach's comment - "The key for us that'll really tell where we are as a team is mental toughness. We have to learn how to win and how to become mentally tough. That's such a large facet of the game."

Season opener - Hosts Sehome Sept. 8.

WesCo AAA South

Division forecast

-- Predicted order of finish based on a survey of league coaches, with first-place votes in parentheses, ballot points (points on a 6-5-4-3-2-1 system) and 1994 record. Coaches not allowed to vote for own team.

Pts 1994

1. Cascade (6) 36 11-1.

2. x-Kamiak 28 5-4.

3. x-Shorecrest 26 8-3.

4. Mariner (1) 20 5-4.

5. Ed.-Woodway 17 3-6.

6. Shorewood 13 0-9.

7. Mtlk. Terrace 7 1-8.

x-played in WesCo AA last season.