EASTSIDE CATHOLIC CRUSADERS
Last year: 13-0 (Won Class 3A state championship)
Head coach: Jeremy Thielbahr
Key players: Hunter Bryant, WR; Zach Lewis, QB; Steve Moran, LB; JJ Luger, CB; Ryan Taylor, MLB; Ephraim Vea, DE; Will Vea, NG; Malik Putney, S; Talon Davis, LB; Jonathan Kvech, S; Brody McKnight, OL/DL; Chris Lefau, Slot/RB; Tyler Foulkes, RB; Cameron Lakes, WR/S.
The Class 3A defending state champion Eastside Catholic Crusaders football team isn’t the kind of program that rebuilds, they reload. Eastside Catholic, which has won the past two 3A state championships, have played in the past four state title games. Crusaders’ head coach Jeremy Thielbahr is confident in his team despite losing 16 starters to graduation this past June. Zach Lewis will take over for Harley Kirsch at the starting quarterback position. Kirsch was the starting signal caller on the past two state title squads.
“All our kids know its a huge challenge this year in replacing all of the guys we had last year. It is a great time for some guys to step up and become a huge part of the program. We always believe that tradition never graduates and our program can continue to reload year after year and after year,” Thielbahr said. “We’re hoping to do that this year.”
During spring drills Thielbahr raved about the skills of Lewis under center.
“Zach is a lot of fun. He is going to do a great job for us. He has kind of been lying in the weeds just kind of waiting his turn. I think he is ready to strike and put his name on the map,” Thielbahr said in mid-June.
Thielbahr said Tyler Foulkes will be the Crusaders primary running back but also added that many spots in the starting lineup are up for grabs as of the first week of practice.
“A lot of guys are battling for positions. There is a lot of competition and our kids love to compete. Our players know its a long season and anything can happen. We really have the next guy up mentality,” he said.
EASTLAKE WOLVES
Last year: 5-4 (Didn’t advance to the postseason)
Head coach: Don Bartel
Key players: Ben Howard, QB; Daniel Bradley, RB; Cody Cox, WR/S; Eric Plummer, OL/LB; Ryan Stinnett, OL/DL; Noah Morse, LB; Jacob Mohrhardt, LB; Cullen Payne, LB; Parker Lester, WR/DB.
Team camaraderie always has been the most important aspect to running a football team to Eastlake Wolves head coach Don Bartel.
Bartel, who has been the head coach of the Wolves football program since 2013, focuses intensely on creating a football family where players look out for each other on and off the field. That team bond definitely has paid off considering the adversity the team has already experienced before the opening kickoff of the 2016 season. The Wolves recently attended the funeral of a father of one of the players on the squad as a team and also are dealing with the death of Bartel’s mother on Aug. 19. Bartel attended his mother’s funeral service on Aug. 25.
“The family part really comes in when tough things are happening. Football is a refuge,” Bartel explained. “The reality is this group cares about each other as much as any group I have ever coached. I know as a coaching staff we are going to have a hell of a lot of fun coaching these guys.”
Bartel said this year’s senior class has been coached by just the current coaching regime in place. He believes the continuity of having the same system in place for four seasons will pay off.
“This year’s seniors have never been coached by anybody but us. I feel like that brings us together as a team,” he said.
The Wolves will be led by a new quarterback this year. Mark Whitley graduated this past June and will be replaced by Ben Howard under center.
“We know that Ben isn’t Mark but we also know that Mark isn’t Ben. This is Ben’s group, these are Ben’s friends and they are his dudes,” Bartel said of his signal caller.
Bartel expects big things from running back Daniel Bradley this season.
“He looks good, he looks quick and he’s faster than he has ever been,” he said.
Bartel said receiver/safety Cody Cox is gearing up for a huge season after missing all but two games in 2015 due to a broken hand he suffered in Eastlake’s season opener against Bothell.
“Cody is the smartest player we have and is a great competitor,” he said.
SKYLINE SPARTANS
Last year: 12-2 (Lost to Gonzaga Prep in the Class 4A state title game)
Head coach: Mat Taylor
Key players: Henry Bainivalu, OL/DL; Matt Cindric, OL/DL; Drew Kistner, QB/DB; Joe Greene, QB; Matt Oss, C/DL; Luke Stiles, WR/S; Bradley Kim, WR/S; Kai Kang, WR/CB, Evan Alexander, S; Alex Taylor, CB; Riley Gill, CB; Caleb Johnston, LB.
Moving the chains on a consistent basis shouldn’t be a problem for the Skyline Spartans football team this season. The Spartans return the majority of their offensive lineman and defensive lineman from last year’s team which advanced to the Class 4A state championship game.
“We’re very happy with our line. The offensive line has really come together. When it comes to lineman it is all about the unit. They are really communicating well together and are doing a great job,” Skyline head coach Mat Taylor said of early season practices.
The Spartans top three lineman consist of Henry Bainivalu, Matt Cindric and Matt Oss. With the offensive line solidified, the biggest question facing the Spartans is undoubtedly on who will be the starting quarterback.
Taylor still hasn’t decided who the starter will be on opening day.
“Right now it is between Joe Greene and Drew Kistner. They both will play in the first game (Richland). We still haven’t decided who is going to start,” Taylor said in a phone interview on Aug. 22. “We’re probably going to do the tandem with them for a couple of games and then solidify with one guy. I’m a believer you have to go with one guy. I think they both deserve a chance to play in these two non-league games (Richland, Gonzaga Prep).Those first two games they will both get reps to show what they can do.”
Taylor said he expects the coaching staff to decide on a clear-cut starter by the third week of the regular season in their KingCo opener against rival Eastlake.
ISSAQUAH EAGLES
Last year: 9-4 (Lost to Lake Stevens in first round of 4A state playoffs)
Head coach: Buddy Bland
Key players: Joe Nelson, WR/CB; Trey Gevers, CB/WR; Peyton Person, QB; Caleb Lee, OL; Greg Shipley, C; Griffin Morimoto, RB/DB; Mo Osman, RB/CB; James Rauch, LB/RB; Jack Hinchcliffe, LB; Terry Zaragoza, DL; Grayson Hineline, OL/DL Dean Pearson, DE/OL; Garrett White, S.
The Issaquah Eagles exuded pure grit on the gridiron last fall. After suffering a heartbreaking overtime 31-28 loss in the season opener on the their home turf, the Eagles won nine of their final 12 games in a season that ended in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs. The Eagles resiliency is a reflection of their team’s can do attitude in the face of adversity.
“It was program building obviously,” Issaquah head coach Buddy Bland said of last year’s team. “You want to learn from all those experiences and a lot of these kids here today were here for that. It is a new year and a new team. Last year’s juniors who are now the seniors are the ones that have to set the tone when we get into those tough situations.”
Bland said the coveted starting quarterback position is up for grabs. Two-year starter Cam Humphrey graduated this past June.
“Payton (Person) is the returning guy that has been around for awhile and now he is kind of getting his opportunity to shine. We have a couple of sophomores who are really pushing him. It is a nice battle. We refuse to name any starter until the end of the week,” Bland said on Aug. 23. “It is up to them. Someone is going to take it and whoever takes it will get the job.”
Unforuately for the Eagles, 2015 stalwart running back Bryce Hughes moved out of the state and won’t be on the roster this fall.
“Bryce’s family moved back to Texas. We have some guys battling (running back spot) right now. Griffin Morimoto has looked really really good for us. Bland also expects Mo Ossman and James Rauch to carry the ball this fall for the Eagles.
