Metro's Mountain Division Football Caps

Blanchet

Coach - George Monica, eighth year, 27-33 career record.

1994 record - 4-2, third in Mountain Division; 6-3 overall.

Top returnees - QB/PK Jon Minter, 6-5, 180, sr. (Mountain MVP); RB/KR Romain Harris, 5-7, 160, sr. (second-team All-Mountain); WR/DB Billy DeFrancisco, 5-10, 170, sr. (first-team All-Mountain); OL/DL Casey Burr, 5-10, 220, sr.; OL/DL Lucas Martin, 6-1, 205, sr.; OL/DL Mark Mendez, 6-3, 220, sr.; TE/LB Ryan Boyle, 6-0. 205, sr.; LB Marc Hayward 5-9, 170; C/DL Bill Kessler, 6-2, 240, sr.; FB/DB Charley Wellnitz, 6-2. 185. jr.; WR/DB Tony Majcher, 6-0, 170, sr.

Others to watch - TE/LB Nate Niemer, 6-0, 185, sr.; OL/DL Jake Minter, 6-2, 210, jr.; TE/LB Chris Letson, 6-1, 185, sr.; OL/LB Sean Wellnitz, 5-11, 205, sr.; LB Saul Kerner, 5-9, 170, sr.; DL Kyle Hofman, 6-0, 240, sr.; DL Ben Ward, 6-0, 230, sr.

Outlook - Hayward, Blanchet's top defensive player, suffered a spleen injury during a scrimmage two weeks ago and is sidelined for the season. Without him, Wellnitz will anchor defense from the secondary. Minter has garnered college interest as a kicker and quarterback. His favorite target is DeFrancisco, who finished third in the league last season in receiving with 449 yards on 21 receptions and six TDs. Harris rushed for 672 yards and four TDs. Thirteen players returning (6 offense, 7 defense). Four two-way starters.

Season opener - 7:30 p.m. Saturday vs. Sedro-Woolley at Edmonds Stadium.

Cleveland

Coach - Hoover Hopkins, fifth year, 13-22 career record.

1994 record - 4-2, third in Sound Division; 5-4 overall.

Top returnees - WR/DB Francisco Bolima, 5-8, 145, sr.; OL/LB Eric Borja, 5-10, 190, sr.; OL/DL Junior Malietufa, 5-11, 198, sr.; OL/DL Hawaii Polo, 6-0, 200, sr.; RB/DB Ralph Prescott, 5-7, 160, sr.; WR/DL Paul Boutdavong, 5-10, 190, sr.; C/DL John Hill, 6-2, 175, sr.; Brian Noche, 5-11, 175, sr.; C/DL James Utu, 5-10, 195, sr.

Others to watch - OL/DL Ivan Medina, 6-2, 270, jr.; OL/LB Edwin Tam, 5-6, 170, sr.; C Romel Cabuena, 6-0, 215, jr.

Outlook - Eagles had back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in school history.

Season opener - 8 p.m. tomorrow vs. Steilacoom at Memorial Stadium.

Nathan Hale

Coach - Ronnie Cunningham, first year.

1994 record - 0-6, seventh in Sound Division; 2-7 overall.

Top returnees - DB/KR Alonseo Cyprian, 5-9, 150, jr.; DL/OL Darby Haskins, 6-2, 215, jr.; TE/OLB Evan Sprague, 5-9, 185, sr.

Others to watch - QB Andre Robinson, 6-2, 175, jr.; RB/DB Ahuacan VeGruy, 6-2, 185, sr.; TE/DB Wayne Valray, 6-1, 175, sr.

Outlook - Cunningham inherits program that went 11-34 the past five years; highest division finish was sixth in 1993. Raiders will struggle while Cunningham implements his offense. Depth will hurt Hale, which averages about 32 players at practice. Robinson will run the multiple-set offense. He's a better passer than runner and runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash. Sprague is top defensive player.

Season opener - 5:30 p.m. tomorrow vs. Chief Sealth at Memorial Stadium.

Ingraham

Coach - Randy Jacob, first year.

1994 record - 1-5, sixth in Sound Division; 3-6 overall.

Top returnees - FB/LB Davis Stonehouse, 5-10, 190, sr.; TE Troy Seeland, 6-2, 185, sr.; QB Rodney Brown, 6-2, 185, sr.; OL/DL Adrian Gordon, 6-1, 245, sr.; OL/LB John Petershin, 5-11, 190, sr.

Others to watch - RB Brian Barquet, 5-4, 1335, sr.; (transfer from Hale); C/DL Rex Hanna, 6-1, 205, jr.; OL/DL Sean Murray, 6-4, 245, so.; TE/OLB David Dillard, 6-2, 205, jr., (transfer from Central Kitsap); OL/DL William Hunt, 6-3, 200, fr.

Outlook - Seven positions on both offense and defense filled by a returning starter. Brown is the key to Ingraham's wing-T offense. His ability to run and experience should help Rams. Depth is thin. Forty-three players on the roster, but injuries has depleted Ingraham to 32 players. Hunt is a bright spot for the future along high number (21) of sophomores. Jacob, a four-year assistant, replaces Alex Barashkoff. He becomes the third head coach in three years.

Season opener - 3 p.m. tomorrow vs. Ballard at Memorial Stadium.

O'Dea

Coach - Monte Kohler, 11th year.

1994 record - 6-0, Sound Division champion; 13-0 overall (beat Lake Stevens 7-6 in Kingbowl XVIII to win Class AA state title).

Top returnees - LB/OL Mark Green, 6-1, 220, sr.; DT/OL Ayo Harrison, 6-1, 280, jr. (second-team All-Metro); DB/WR Devon Johnson, 2-3, 210, sr.; DB/QB Mike Grady, 6-0, 175, sr.; DL/OL Kyle Benn, 6-3, 285, jr.; DL/OL Josh Kincaid, 6-2, 205, sr.; TE Tim Moriarty, 6-3, 200, sr.; RB/DB Cedric Gamer, 5-11, 170, sr.

Others to watch - DL Andre Davis, 6-1, 190, sr.; RB Tony Miller, 5-10, 165, sr.; LB Patrick Lamb, 6-4, 220, sr.; WR/DB Sonny Graves, 5-9, 160, sr.; QB/DB Scott Taffera, 5-9, 160, jr.; QB/DB Kevin Foy, 6-0, 175, sr.; RB/DB Neil Bresnahan, 5-9, 175, sr.; OL/LB Greg Cunningham, 6-3, 210, sr.; WR/DB Nathan Hare, 5-9, 160, sr.; TE/DB Rice Baker, 6-0, 175, jr.

Outlook - Five returning starters (3 defense, 2 offense). Lost 22 players to graduation, including 10 All-Metro selections. Green will lead defense that shut out five Metro opponents and allowed 66 points last season. Johnson will anchor secondary. He ran 40-yard dash in team-best 4.4 seconds. Offensive backfield is inexperienced. Miller won tailback duties. Quarterback position is still open.

Season opener - 7 p.m. tomorrow at Toppenish.

West Seattle

Coach - Tom Burgraff, fourth year, 1-26 career record.

1994 record - 0-6, seventh in Mountain Division; 0-9 overall.

Top returnees - RB/ DE William Barker, 5-8, 180, sr.; OL/DL Junior Tagoai, 6-2, 285, so.; OL/DL Ross Zielinski, 6-3, 274, jr.; OL/LB Everett Sappenfield,6-2, 185, jr.; RB/LB Matt Titialii, 5-8, 160, sr.; WR/DB Romell Mitchell, 5-11, 160, jr.; WR/DB/K Nick Thorburn, 5-7, 140, so.; WR/DB Jimmy Vann, 5-9, 158, jr.

Others to watch - RB/DB Clifton Lewis, 5-8, 175, jr.; QB Mark Denniston, 5-10, 165, so.; WR/DB Todd Lucas, 5-10, 155, so.; WR/DB 5-9, 145, sr.; C/DL Kenny Howard, 6-0, 188, so.; RB/LB Gaglon Herny, 5-9,l 165, jr.

Outlook - Compared to last year, West Seattle's 12 returning starters and 18 letter winners is outstanding. The previous year, WS had one returning starter. Experience at running back (Barker) and receiver (Mitchell and Thorburn). Denniston may provide stabilty at quarterback for a few years, which is severely needed. WS looking for first victory since Oct. 16, 1993.

Season opener - 10 a.m. Saturday vs. Chimacum at Memorial Stadium.

--------------------------------------------. . Metro League's. Mountain forecast.

The Seattle Times' predicted order of finish in the Metro League's Mountain Division football race, based on input from league coaches. . School 1994. . 1. O'Dea 13-0. . 2. Cleveland 5-4. . 3. Blanchet 6-3. . 4. West Seattle 0-9. . 5. Ingraham 3-6. . 6. Hale 2-7.