KingCo 3A slant and team capsules

Prime prospects

Brandon Yakaboski RB, 6-0, 196, Sr., Mount Si — 2005 conference Offensive Player Of Year ran for 1,556 yards, 15 TDs

Eric Block QB/FS, 6-1, 185, Sr., Bellevue — All-state DB is three-year, two-way varsity starter, and he's still only 16

Ryan Edwards RB/CB, 5-10, 180, Sr., Skyline — Only returning starter from 4A champs getting college looks as CB

Rising stars

Loka Kanongataa RB, 5-11, 190, Sr., Bellevue — Could emerge as Bellevue's best back

Nathaniel Willingham C/DT, 5-11, 220, Jr., Skyline — UW coach's son will lead Skyline's interior units

Brandon Mezistrano RB/DB, 5-10, 180, Sr., Newport — Hungry for breakout season

Key game

Bellevue at Skyline Friday, 7:30 p.m. — Titanic season-opening matchup features coaches with nine state titles

Fun fact

Issaquah's top assistants last year now run their own teams. Defensive coordinator Rex Romer took over at Issaquah and offensive coordinator Chris Bennett is at Sammamish

Bellevue Wolverines

Location: Bellevue

Coach: Butch Goncharoff (7th year), 66-7 record

2005 record: 9-2 overall, 8-1 league

Returning starters (6 offense, 8 defense): OL/DL Daniel Hoesterey, 6-2, 215, Sr.; QB/FS Eric Block, 6-1, 185, Sr.; OL/LB Brendan Lopez 6-1, 230, Sr.; WR/DB Mick Connors, 6-0, 170, Sr.; WR/DB Jon McGough 6-3, 210, Sr.; LB Travis Stanaway, 6-0, 180, Sr.; OL/DL Travis Anderson, 6-0, 210, Sr.; WR/DB Kyle Edwards, 6-0, 180, Sr.; OL David O'Rear, 5-8, 180, Sr.; RB/DB Daniel Harden, 5-10, 190, Sr.

Other key returners: RB/DB Loka Kanongataa, 5-11, 190, Sr.; TE/LB Jack Gervais, 5-10, 190, Jr.; RB/LB Ladell Carroll, 5-8, 170, Jr.; RB/LB Jo Jo Freeman, 5-10, 225, Jr.; OL/DL David DeCastro, 6-5, 285, Jr.; OL/DL Craig Nelson, 5-10, 250, Sr.; RB/LB Matt Ramirez, 5-10, 200, Sr.

Impact newcomers: TE/DE Rusty Haehl, 6-0, 200, Jr.; CB/WR Danny Razore, 5-10, 170, Jr.; RB/DB Jamal Atofau, 5-9, 160, So.; OL/DL Max Frank, 6-3, 210, Jr.; OL/LB Elliot Barton, 5-10, 170, Jr.

Outlook: Wolverines suffered huge offseason loss when captain Peyton Johnson tore up left knee. Johnson was expected to step in for departed All-American T Stephen Schilling, a job now left to Hoesterey. Block is a savvy veteran.

Interlake Saints

Location: Bellevue

Coach: Luke Huard (4th year), 11-19 2005: 4-6, 1-6

Returning starters (5 offense, 4 defense): QB Scott Galland, 6-3, 200, Sr.; WR/CB J.D. Schultz, 5-9, 155, Sr.; OL/LB Peter Rasanen, 6-2, 205, Sr.; OL/DL David Slingwine, 6-4, 290, Jr.; OL/DL Josue Rodriguez, 6-1, 270, Jr.; RB/DB Alan Lampe, 5-11, 180, Jr.; OL/DL Simon Praseuth, 6-0, 240, Jr.

Other key returners: DE Richard Silva, 6-0, 210, Jr.; LB David Curry, 5-9, 170, Jr.; RB/LB Mike Cameron, 5-10, 175, Sr.; OL/LB Shadain Akhavan, 5-9, 200, Jr.; CB Anar Veliyev, 5-10, 150, Sr.; CB Blake Jones, 6-0, 160, Jr.; WR Ricky Smidt, 5-8, 145, Sr.; WR Elliott Russell, 6-4, 165, Jr.; WR Josh Malyon, 6-0, 175, Sr.; WR Daniel Allan, 6-2, 180, Sr.

Impact newcomers: TE Kevin McGuire, 6-1, 210, Sr.; WR/DB Jeff Riegle, 5-11, 155, So.; RB/LB Onana Muyumba, 5-10, 200, So.; RB/DB Brett Kirschner, 5-9, 180, Fr.; OL/DL Patrick Lindsley, 6-4, 215, Fr.

Outlook: Galland is a big, experienced QB who passed for 16 TDs, ran for six last year. Saints have weapons at wideout, including Schultz, who caught 21 passes. Lines have great size, but lack depth.

Issaquah Eagles

Coach: Rex Romer (1st year) 2005: 5-5, 4-3

Returning starters (4 offense, 7 defense): TE/DE Bryce Buslach, 6-5, 200, Sr.; OG/DT Brian Diez, 5-9, 210, Sr.; RB/LB Matt Gellatly, 5-10, 195, Sr.; DB Willie Ironmonger, 5-11, 170, Sr.; DE Noah Lombardini-Parker, 5-11, 195, Sr.; DB/LB Stephen Redding, 6-0, 200, Sr.; RB/LB Greg VanDyne, 5-10, 195, Sr.

Other key returners: WR/DB Brian Brady, 6-0, 170, Sr.; OG/DE Aaron Dean, 6-0, 210, Sr.; OT/DT Conner Hamilton, 6-3, 235, Sr.; WR/DB Jacob Kemmerer, 6-0, 170, Jr.; TE/LB Luke Klemens, 5-11, 185, Sr.; WR/DB Josh Nyeholt, 5-10, 160, Jr.; OT/DT Jake Rumberger, 6-2, 250, Jr.; C/DT Jared Warren, 5-10, 200, Jr.; QB Ryan Wewerka, 6-2, 190, Sr.

Impact newcomers: RB/LB Alex Bates, 5-11, 175, Jr.; WR/DB Preston Borth, 5-11, 170, Sr.; RB/DB Tucker Donkin, 5-9 160, Sr.; OT/DT Elliot Kalin, 6-2, 210, Jr.; QB/DB James King, 6-0, 170, Jr.; WR/DB Nick Rose, 5-9, 160, Jr.

Outlook: Romer promises to continue similar offense that produced conference-best passing attack. Gellatly recovered from torn knee ligaments; Eagles snake-bitten by injuries last year. All-KingCo LB VanDyne keys defense, which returns entire front four.

Liberty Patriots

Location: Renton (Issaquah School District)

Coach: Steve Valach (8th year), 27-41 2005: 8-4, 6-1

Returning starters (3 offense, 3 defense): QB Curtis Charles, 6-0, 170, Sr.; DT/C Brian Ehardt, 6-0, 210, Jr.; LB Peter Becker, 6-4, 200, Jr.; LB Robbie Marlow, 6-1, 210, Jr.; OL Aaron Sneesby, 5-10, 210, Sr.; OL Robert Blair, 6-2, 215, Sr.

Other key returners: RB/LB Jordan Jenkins, 5-10, 185, Sr.; DB/WR Justin Whitman, 5-11, 155, Jr.; RB/LB Shane Brown, 6-0, 220, Jr.; K/TE Ryan Schuh, 5-11, 185, Sr.; P/WR David Johnson, 6-0, 175, Sr.; OL/LB Jamie Giesman, 5-9, 185, Jr.; RB/DB Joe Ledbetter, 5-10, 160, Sr.; DE/OL Bronz Nelson, 5-10, 185, Jr.; DT/OL Eric Chun-Bedan 5-9, 210, Sr.; WR/DB Kae Bee Burns, 5-11, 155, Sr.

Impact newcomer: DB/WR Greg Ericksen, 5-11, 150, So.

Outlook: Patriots looking for answers on lines, where three All-KingCo linemen graduated. Charles has big-game experience with starts last year against Ferndale, Bellevue, Rainier Beach and Oregon champion Sprague. Jenkins could be playmaker for tough, ball-control offense.

Mercer Island Islanders

Location: Mercer Island

Coach: Dick Nicholl (28th year), 154-98 2005: 5-5, 3-4

Returning starters (2 offense, 7 defense): RB/DB Alex Holland, 5-9, 170, Sr.; C/DL Jon Deese, 6-0, 217, Sr.; S Devin Hawkins, 6-1, 200, Sr.; S Leroy Lutu, 6-2, 181, Jr.; DB Greg Mahony, 5-9, 166, Sr.; ILB Sam Franklin, 5-11, 155, Jr.; ILB Graham Maxwell, 5-11, 195, Jr.; OLB Timothy Wettack, 5-11, 185, Sr.

Other key returners: QB Steven Frankel, 5-9, 167, Sr.; RB Alex Thomas, 5-8, 145, Sr.; G/DL Patrick Kikelly, 5-11, 241, Jr.; T/DL Jack Gala, 6-4, 248, Jr.; T/DL Paul Ehlers, 6-7, 236, Jr.; WR/DB Jacob Tobis, 6-0, 190, Sr.

Outlook: Defense, led by Wettack, Mahony and Lutu, is experienced. Young linemen have size but need to develop. Top RBs Holland, Thomas had only 53 combined carries last year.

Mount Si

Wildcats

Location: Snoqualmie

Coach: Charlie Kinnune (15th year), 64-66

2005: 7-3, 4-3

Returning starters (6 offense, 5 defense): OL/DL Nick Johnston, 6-3, 242, Sr.; WR/DB Sean Bothell, 6-0, 185, Sr.; RB Brandon Yakaboski, 6-0, 196, Sr.; FB/LB Marshall Griffin, 5-11, 215, Sr.; ILB Brian Olson, 5-11, 215, Sr.; OLB Mikel Ushler, 6-0, 170, Sr.; SS Dan Reeves, 5-8, 177, Sr.; OG Jeff Chapman, 6-2, 233, Sr.; OG Cary Purchase, 5-10, 215, Sr.; C Mac Donnell, 5-11, 190, Sr.

Other key returners: QB Ian Atkinson, 5-8, 165, Sr.; WR/FS Josh Lindor, 6-0, 175, Sr.; K Gibson Bardsley, 5-10, 145, Sr.

Impact newcomers: OL/DL Morgan Green, 6-1, 232, Sr.; DE/TE Dexter Moetului, 6-3, 215, Sr.; WR Frank McLaughlin, 6-1, 194, Jr.; OT Michael Smart, 6-1, 235, Sr.; WR/DB Tom Perry, 6-0, 157, Sr.; DB Kenny Morrison, 5-11, 170, Sr.; WR/DB Dallas Liebe, 5-8, 150, Jr.; RB/LB Sean Snead, 6-0, 180, So.; G/DE Jake Tweten, 6-0, 195, Jr.; FB/LB Bradford Wilbert, 5-7, 179, Sr.

Outlook: Strong senior class is powered by Yakaboski, league Offensive Player of Year, whose smooth style is reminiscent of pro Eddie George. Purchase leads experienced OL. Solid defense returns standouts Olson, Bothell.

Newport

Knights

Location: Bellevue

Coach: Mike Miller (3rd year), 10-10

2005: 6-4, 4-3

Returning starters (6 offense, 7 defense): QB/DL Ryan Benoit, 6-2, 220, Sr.; OL/DL Paul Harrison, 6-1, 225, Sr.; LB/RB Collin Bennett, 6-0, 180, Jr.; DB/WR Bobby Wenger, 5-10, 175, Jr.; RB/DB Brandon Mezistrano, 5-10, 180, Sr.; LB/RB Blake Gibbs, 6-1, 205, Jr.; DL/OL Aaron Selch, 6-2, 210, Sr.; DL/OL Ross Tanaka, 6-2, 225, Sr.; OL/LB Craig Holden, 5-11, 200, Sr.; OL/DL Matt Winter, 6-6, 250, Sr.

Other key returners: OL/DL Jacob Anderson, 6-4, 268, Jr.; WR/DB Case Cooney, 6-4, 175, Jr.; K Curtis Stensland, 5-7, 140, Jr.; LB/OL Jacob Franklin, 5-10, 200, Jr.; OL/DL Ned Schooler, 5-10, 225, Jr.; DB/QB Blake McDonald, 5-10, 160, Jr.; WR/DB Ryan Hooser, 5-11, 165, Sr.; LB/RB Teddy Jachim, 6-1, 190, Sr.

Impact newcomers: OL/DL Jake Luwe, 6-2, 195, So.; WR/DB Brady Pollard, 6-0, 160, So.; LB/RB Mike Hazen, 5-9, 200, Sr.

Outlook: Pound-it wing-T rushing attack features RBs Bennett, Gibbs, Mezistrano. Miller is excited about potential of quick, slimmed-down Anderson.

Sammamish

Totems

Location: Bellevue

Coach: Chris Bennett (1st year)

2005: 2-8, 0-7

Returning starters (3 offense, 2 defense): WR/DB Jesse Franklin, 6-0, 185, Sr.; RB/LB Immauel Martinez, 5-10, 180, Sr.; QB Patrick Rooney, 6-1, 190, Jr.

Other key returners: RB/LB Casey Akana, 5-11, 165, Sr.; RB/DB Sal Mata, 5-8, 160, Sr.; RB/DB Aram Ikilikyan, 5-7, 160, Jr.; OL/DL Cameron Akana, 6-0, 210, So.; OL/LB Will Minice, 5-11, 205, So.

Impact newcomers: OL/DL Mark Shield, 6-0, 240, Sr.; WR/DB Travis Harrington, 6-2, 180, Sr.; TE/LB Kevin Ketchum, 5-11, 175, Sr.; WR/DB Geoffrey Tundrea, 5-8, 155, Sr.; WR/DB Billy Mitchell, 5-11, 170, Jr.; OL/LB Trevor Johnson, 5-10, 185, Jr.; QB/WR/DB Chris Motley, 5-9, 150, So.; OL/DL Vitaliy Fishchuk, 6-2, 235, So.; OL/DL Randall Louie, 6-0, 215, So.

Outlook: Bennett, who coached QBs at Issaquah, likens Rooney's football smarts and potential to former protégés Bryan Jones, Mark Gray. But Rooney must survive year of lumps with young, inexperienced line.

Skyline

Spartans

Location: Sammamish

Coach: Steve Gervais (9th year), 74-18

2005: 14-0, 9-0 in KingCo 4A

Returning starter (0 offense, 1 defense): CB/RB Ryan Edwards 5-10, 180, Sr.

Impact newcomers: QB Tony Rehn, 6-1, 195, Sr.; G Jon Meyers, 6-0, 210, Sr.; G Sam Levinson, 6-0, 205, Sr.; LB James Siregar, 5-11, 190, Sr.; WR Trevor Robinson, 6-0, 180, Sr.; G Brad Butler, 6-2, 255, Sr.; LB Riley Gervais, 6-2, 196, Jr.; C/DT Nathaniel Willingham 5-11, 220, Jr.; WR Phil Tushar, 5-10, 170, Jr.; OLB Eric Biege, 5-11, 175, Jr.; RB Tyler Washburn, 5-11, 205, Jr.

Outlook: Unknowns abound for last year's Class 4A state champions, who graduated 21 starters. New guys, who played mostly on JV or special teams last year, get season-opening baptism versus No. 1 Bellevue. Siregar could be marquee defensive player, Edwards a breakout offensive performer.

Team-by-team reports by

Seattle Times reporter

Michael Ko.