The sound of popping pads will be on display tonight as the majority of high school football programs in Washington will kick off its season under the bright glare of Friday night lights.
Below the Issaquah/Sammamish Reporter takes a look at how the Eastside Catholic Crusaders, Eastlake Wolves, Skyline Spartans, Issaquah Eagles and Liberty Patriots will fare on the football field this fall.
EASTSIDE CATHOLIC CRUSADERS
Head coach: Jeremy Thielbahr (fifth year)
Last year: 13-1 (Captured Class 3A state championship)
Key players: Harley Kirsch, QB; Brandon Wellington, RB/S/LB; Matt Laris, WR/LB; Devon Arbis-Jackson, WR/CB; Hunter Bryant, TE/WR.
The Eastside Catholic Crusaders reached the pinnacle during the 2014 season, knocking off the Bellevue Wolverines 35-13 in the Class 3A state championship game in December of 2014 at the Tacoma Dome. Eastside Catholic’s victory snapped Bellevue’s 67-game winning streak. The Crusaders will be led by senior signal caller Harley Kirsch this fall. Kirsch, who verbally committed to Cornell University earlier this summer, epitomizes what it means to be a leader.
“Harley has transformed our program into something that you can’t duplicate. I think having him do what he’s done and the way he leads our team is awe inspiring,” Crusaders’ head coach Jeremy Thielbahr said in mid-June. “I’m really excited for him this year. He has got a great future ahead of him.”
The Crusaders may have won their first football state championship in school history nine months ago but that doesn’t mean they will rest on their laurels and slew of press clippings from last year’s magical run.
“It is obviously a great position to be in but it is also a lot of pressure,” Kirsch said of defending the state title in June. “We have a great group of guys. I love playing with these guys and hopefully we can pull out one more state title. We will just give it our all on every single play then whatever happens will happen.”
The Crusaders open the 2015 season on the road in the San Diego Honor Bowl at 8 p.m. tonight against Oceanside High School.
SKYLINE SPARTANS
Head coach: Mat Taylor (eighth year)
Last year: 6-4 (lost to Skyview in district playoff game)
Key players: Blake Gregory, QB; Rashaad Boddie, RB; Danny Sinatro, WR/CB; Henry Bainivalu, OL/DL; Cameron Hill, OL/DL; Logan Wanamaker, WR/DB; Bradley Kim, S; PJ Cox, OLB.
The Skyline Spartans, a football program that won state championships in 2000, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2012, saw their season come to and courtesy of a 34-31 home loss against the Skyview Storm in a winner-to-state, loser-out playoff game in their final contest of the 2014 season. Skyline head coach Mat Taylor and his team has put last season in the rearview mirror and is totally focused on the 2015 campaign. The Spartans return two of the best players in the state, quarterback Blake Gregory and running back Rashaad Boddie. Taylor said Gregory has looked “awesome” during the first few weeks of practice.
“I wouldn’t trade him for any quarterback in the state. People know about him but by the end of the season everyone in the state are definitely going to know about him by the time the season is over,” Taylor said.
Taylor expects his team to have a successful season.
“We’re always confident. The bottom line is its about a group of 15-to-18 year-old kids playing as one unit. They play with a lot of confidence. We as coaches have that same confidence in them,” he said.
ISSAQUAH EAGLES
Head coach: Buddy Bland (second year)
Last year: 5-5 (didn’t advance to postseason)
Key players: Tyrus Tuiasosopo, WR/DB; Cam Humphrey, QB; Jake Collins, TE/DL; Conner Pederson, WR/DB; Connor Smith, OL/DL; Jordan Minnix, OL/DL; Trey Gevers, WR/DB; Joe Nelson, WR/DB; Bryce Hughes, RB/DB; Mark Findlay, WR/LB; Ashton Sorrento, WR/DB; Ethan Koppel, WR/DB; Kirin Junsay, RB/DL
Issaquah Eagles starting quarterback Cam Humphrey is a seasoned signal caller and the undisputed leader of his football team.
Humphrey, who started 10 games at quarterback during the 2014 season, is ready for the season to begin. Issaquah head coach Buddy Bland said Humphrey is blessed with experience, outstanding ability and football smarts.
“Cam is one of the best quarterbacks in the area,” Bland said in June.
Bland said the Eagles’ vocal leaders consist of Humphrey, Ethan Koppel, Connor Smith and Jake Collins.
“We have superior senior leadership, a balanced offense and above average game experience,” Bland said.
Bryce Hughes, who emerged as a significant contributor during the second half of the 2014 season will start at running back after backing up Issaquah 2015 grad Mikey Giannopulos last season.
LIBERTY PATRIOTS
Head coach: Steve Valach (17th year)
Last year: 6-4 (lost to Fife in district playoff game)
Key players: Nate Solly, QB; Preston Mitsui, WR/DB; Dulin Hayden, WR/DB; Austin Porter, OL; Max Batali, RB/DB; Marquel Ellis, RB/DE; Sam Harrington, RB/DB; Jack Chartier, TE/LB; Isaiah Owens, WR/DB; James Workman, OL/DE/LS; Joseph Cunningham, RB/LB; Torey Anderson, WR/DB.
Putting up points shouldn’t be a problem for the Liberty Patriots on the gridiron this fall.
The Patriots return starting quarterback Nate Solly and offensive lineman James Workman to the starting lineup this season. The dynamic duo were elected as co-captains by their teammates.
“They are both leaders who lead by example,” Patriots head coach Steve Valach said.
Valach is a firm believer that coaching high school football is about more than just what happens between the hashmarks and white lines of the field.
“Our whole mission is to unlock greatness in the players we coach — in all aspects, not just football,” he said. “I’m not a screamer but I’m super excited about having the opportunity to influence boys’ lives through football.”
EASTLAKE WOLVES
Head coach: Don Bartel (third year)
Last year: 7-4 (lost to Bothell in the first round of the Class 4A state playoffs)
Key players: Mark Whitley, QB; Jacob Kaufman, C/DL; Connor McCabe, OL/DL
The Eastlake Wolves football team will be led by senior starting quarterback Mark Whitley. Whitley, who started three games as a junior, exuded his leadership qualities in the months leading up to the season.
“When you know you’re the guy (starting quarterback) it is such an advantage coming into the season. We’re (coaching staff) excited for him,” Eastlake head coach Don Bartel said this past June. “Mark is a competitor and he’s already got his own set of goals of what he wants for the season and how he wants our season to go. His whole consideration is to do whatever he can to help this team. That is what I love about him as a leader. It is going to be awesome.”
The Wolves, who benefit from one of the best homefield advantages in the KingCo Conference due to their boisterious crowd, will open the 2015 season on the road against the Class 4A state champion Bothell Cougars at 7 p.m. tonight at Pop Keeney Stadium in Bothell.
