Other Team Capsules

BAINBRIDGE SPARTANS

Location - Bainbridge Island

League - Class 3A Pierce County

Coach - Andy Grimm, second year (1-8)

1998 record - 0-5 PCL (6th in division), 1-8 overall

Returning starters (5 offense, 5 defense) - QB/CB Tyler Burkland, 5-10, 165, Sr.; WB/FS Matt Reynolds, 5-10, 165, Sr.; FB/LB Mike Dresler, 6-0, 165, Sr.; C/NG Justin Hanseth, 5-10, 170, Sr.; OG/DE Chris Mandell, 6-4, 190, Jr.; LB Sol Otto, 6-1, 240, Sr.

Impact newcomers - OT/LB Richard Sheets, 5-11, 205, Jr.; TE/LB Adam Smith, 5-10, 170, Soph.; WB/CB Luke Preble, 5-10, 155, Jr.

Outlook - Numbers are up from last year and, despite last year's failures, Grimm believes Spartans can be competitive with Lakes and White River.

DARRINGTON LOGGERS

League - Class 1A Northwest

Coach - Rob Wales, 11th year.

1998 record - 7-0 league (first), 10-1 overall; beat Wahkiakum (Cathlamet) 28-6 and lost 20-14 to Orcas Island in Class B-11 state playoffs.

Returning starters (5 offense, 6 defense) - WR/DB Josh Padgett, 6-0, 165, Sr.; RB/DB Todd Wright, 5-9, 165, Sr.; TE/DE Trevor Faucett, 6-3, 190, Sr.; OL/DL Russell Gourlie, 6-2, 210, Sr.; WR/DB Brandon Boyd, 6-2, 175, Sr.; QB/DB Andrew Grimmer, 5-9, 170, Jr.; C/LB Aaron Grimmer, 5-8, 160, Sr.

Impact newcomers - FB/MLB D.J. Cochran, 6-0, 180, So. (transfer from Arlington); OL/DL Kevin Jones, 5-10, 195, So.; RB/LB Matt Farley, 5-10, 175, Jr.; OL/DL Oak Rankin, 6-0, 185, Jr.

Outlook - The Loggers have moved up to Class 1A - they're familiar with 1A schools because they used to play in a league of 1A and B-11 schools. Now, the postseason challenge gets tougher for Darrington. All schools in Darrington's league now are 1A. "We've got enough talent to be competitive, but we don't necessarily have the size and speed we've had in the past," Wales said. "We're going to have to work harder at it. We've got a chance to be in every game." Wales calls Coupeville the league favorite.

FOSTER BULLDOGS

Location - Tukwila

League - Class 2A Nisqually

Coach - Mike Shannon, 19th season.

1998 record - 3-5 (tie for sixth), 4-5 overall

Returning starters - (5 offense, 3 defense) QB A.J Geiss, 6-1, 191, Soph.; WR/DB Vince Pelagio, 6-3, 160, Jr. WR/DE Keith Mitchell, 6-3, 173, Sr.; WB/LB Chris Barreras, 5-10, 180, Sr.; C/LB Chris Hegge, 5-10, 210, Sr.; OL/DL Chris Rarey, 6-4, 281, Jr.; OL/DL Paul Salisbury, 6-3, 207, Sr.; WR/DB Anthony Rankin 5-10, 180, Jr.

Impact newcomers - RB/LB Sam Price, 5-8, 179, So.; OL/DL Leonard Harison 6-1, 175, Sr.

Outlook - Young and inexperienced but some talent here. Should improve as season goes. Good size on line. "We've got a returning quarterback who's the best we've ever had at this stage in his career," Shannon says, "and a lot of good receivers. But we've got some young people who need to step up. We have a lot of holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball. The outlook is good long term, we've just got to gain some experience." Orting and Eatonville are league favorites.

KING'S KNIGHTS

Location - Shoreline

League - Class 1A Chinook

Coach - Jim Shapiro, 3rd year (4-12)

1998 record - 3-5 in North Cascades Conference, 3-6 overall.

Returning starters (8 offense, 9 defense) - QB/FS Blair Foerester, 6-0, 170, Sr.; RB/DB Tyler Kincaid, 5-11, 175, Sr.; FB/LB Robert Nelson, 5-11, 190, Sr.; WB/SS Jordan Van Horn, 5-11, 170, Sr.; WR/CB Trey Bemis, 5-10, 165, Sr.; OG/DT Rex Summa, 5-10, 190, Sr.; OT/DT Tim Degan, 6-4, 260, Jr.; TE/DE Mark Freise, 6-5, 225, Jr.; LB Nat Burnett, 5-11, 190, Sr.; DE Gavin Kirk, 6-2, 185, Sr.

Impact newcomer - RB/LB Misaki Matsumoto, 5-11, 200, Jr.

Outlook - Changing leagues should be an advantage for the Knights, who switch from a league dominated by 2A schools to a league of private schools in the 1A classification. Nonleague schedule is more favorable (South Whidbey, Darrington, La Conner, Concrete). Size of offensive line is a strength. If Knights can stay healthy, they should make the playoffs.

VASHON ISLAND PIRATES

Location - Vashon Island

League - Class 2A Nisqually

Coach - Mark Henderson, 3rd year (9-9)

1998 record - 4-4 league (fifth), 5-4 overall

Returning starters (4 offense, 6 defense) - FB/LB Nick Gugulmo, 6-1, 190, Sr.; HB/FS Kenny Ento, 6-2, 190, Sr.; OG/LB Ryan Mattingly, 6-1, 190, Sr.; OT/DT Andy Rudinsky, 6-2, 215, Soph.; LB Sean Donnelly, 5-10, 180, Soph.; DE Jody Korenek, 6-1, 200, Jr.

Impact newcomers - QB Chris O'Brien, 5-11, 160, Soph.; WR Johnny Delafield, 5-6, 135, Soph.; WR Andre Chevalier, 5-10, 170, Soph.; OG Chris Anderson, 6-1, 185, Jr.

Outlook - Pirates hoping to improve on last year, which started out with high expectations but fell short. Henderson says team has better talent and attitude this season. Strength is at running back; weakness could be inexperience at QB and receiver.

WHITE RIVER HORNETS

Location - Buckley

League - Class 3A Pierce County

Coach - Dominic Yarrington, first year

1998 record - 5-0 PCL (first in division), 9-2 overall; beat O'Dea 7-0 and lost 24-23 to Lynden in 3A state playoffs.

Returning starters (3 offense, 4 defense) - RB/CB Andy Hahto 5-8, 170, Sr.; RB/LB Jared Similcuk 6-1, 185, Sr.; OL/MLB Joe Sprouse 6-212, 205, Sr.; WR/DB Joe Randall 6-0, 190, Sr.; WR/DB Jon Dickson 6-0, 170, Sr.

Impact newcomers - QB Jessie Gran 6-4, 200, Jr.; WR/DB Andrew Banks 5-7, 150, So.; OL/DL Joe Blas 6-0, 220, Jr.; OL/DL Kenny Kerns 6-4, 260, Sr. WR/DB Kyle Satterthwait 5-9, 160, Jr.

Outlook - New coach, new offensive system and mostly new starters - 17 of 22 starters have never played a meaningful quarter of varsity football - but Yarrington says expectations are still very high. Team speed and skill positions are strengths. Hornets will switch from power-I to spread offense, but look for Hahto to still get the ball often - he rushed for 1,350 yards and scored 15 TDs during regular season last year. Yarrington retained defensive scheme of previous coach, Terry Veltkamp, and says "the defense looks good." Lakes is overwhelming league favorite, with Franklin Pierce and White River mentioned next.