Prep Football / Tahoma High School -- No Cracks In Tahoma Wishbone; Bears On Run Again -- Defending Division Champs Seek Return To Playoffs

MAPLE VALLEY - How ground oriented is the Tahoma High School football team? Head Coach Tony Davis doesn't mince words.

"We don't even know if the ball flies in the air," Davis said.

When your team runs the wishbone offense, there's no need to throw the ball. At Tahoma, it's run, run and run some more.

"Oh, we'll throw a little - maybe once or twice," Davis said. "But there have been games where we haven't even thrown at all."

Quarterback Omare Lowe will lead a potent offense as the Bears try to repeat as Pierce County League Ridge Division champions and return to the Class AA state playoffs.

Last season, Lowe rushed for 724 yards and running back Mike Guglielmelli rushed for 916 yards.

"The wishbone is a great high-school offense," said Davis, who started using it four years ago while at Renton. "If you have a team that doesn't have a lot of size, it's a great neutralizer."

Lowe is the perfect wishbone quarterback, Davis said. He has the size, (6 feet 2, 185 pounds), the speed (4.5 for 40 yards) and the athletic ability (34-inch vertical leap).

His football talents and his work in the classroom (3.3 grade-point average) have several colleges, including Washington and Washington State, making inquiries.

"He's got the talent to make it in college," Davis said. "He really makes our offense go and can do the same in college for some team."

Along the offensive front, Scott Meyers (6-0, 272 pounds), Ryan

Kennedy (6-0, 214 pounds) and Bo Bain (6-1, 198 pounds) all return and should open big holes.

Steve Woech (5-11, 184) has been moved from the line to tight end, but will concentrate on blocking.

The defense is the main concern at Tahoma. Only two starters return.

Linebacker Mike McGhee and defensive back Chris Sexton will provide the experience, but they will need some help.

"We have some questions to answer, and we'll need some answers quick, since we open with Peninsula," said Davis of Tahoma's opponent from Gig Harbor tonight at Tahoma High School. "We'll have to fill the holes, we don't have any choices."

Last year, Tahoma, White River and Eatonville all finished tied atop the Ridge Division standings, but Tahoma won the league's No. 1 state berth in tiebreaker playoffs. In the Shore Division, Gig Harbor, Bainbridge and Peninsula tied for first place, but Gig Harbor captured the title in a tiebreaker playoff.

"It's a strong league," Davis said. "You have to be on your game every time you play."

Tahoma at a glance

Coach - Tony Davis, 3rd year.

1995 record - 8-2; lost in first round of Class AA state playoffs to Renton.

Top returning players - Scott Meyers, OL, 6-0, 242, Sr.; Ryan Kennedy, 6-0, 214, OL, Jr.; Bo Bain, OL, 6-1, 198, Sr.; Steve Woeck, TE, 5-11, 184, Sr.; Omare Lowe, QB, 6-2, 185, Sr.; Anthony Bogan, RB, 5-8, 176, Jr.; Mike Guglielmelli, RB, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Matt McGhee, LB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Chris Sexton, DB, 5-9, 159, Sr.; Rick Szab, LB, 6-1, 186, Sr.

Key newcomers - Donny Seifert, RB, 5-9, 165, So.; Zach Davis, DL, 5-11, 188, Jr.

Outlook - An experienced offense should mean a repeat trip to the playoffs. Defense has holes, but could be plugged by opener.