High school football preview | Team capsules

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CAPSULES

KENT-MERIDIAN

• Coach: Brett Allen, sixth year, record at K-M: 19-31

• Last year’s record: 3-1, second place in the South Puget Sound League Northeast 4A, 6-4 overall

• Returning starters: Offense, Emmanuel Daigbe, wide receiver, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, senior (SPSL NE All-Purpose Player of the Year; first-team All-SPSL WR), 40 catches, 716 yards, 10 touchdowns. Malik Woolery, running back/WR, 5-8, 165, sr. (SPSL NE first-team RB; first-team kick returner), 114 carries for 596 yards, 8 TDs; 22 catches for 91 yards; 13 kick returns for 417 yards and 1 TD. Ben Woods, quarterback, 5-11, 175, junior (SPSL NE second-team QB), threw for 1,940 yards, 17 TDS, 15 interceptions, 249 yards per game despite missing two games due to injury. Marc Dennis, WR, 6-0, 170, sr. (SPSL NE first-team WR), 25 catches for 609 yards, 6 TDs. Noah Franquez, guard, 5-10, 200, sr. (first-team All-SPSL NE OL). Peter Dalit, G/C, 5-10, 265, sr. Marquise Card-Diallo, G/tackle, 5-11, 275, sr. Gabe Gallman, RB, 5-8, 175, sr.

Defense, Daigbe, LB (SPSL NE second-team linebacker) 48 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries for 75 yards and 1 TD. Malik Woolery, strong safety, 5-8, 165, sr. (SPSL NE first-team defensive back), 40 tackles, 3 INTs for 126 yards, 3 fumble recoveries. Dennis, free safety (SPSL NE second-team DB), 34 tackles, 2 INTs for 55 yards. Franquez, lineman, 39 tackles. Gallman, cornerback.

• Top newcomers: Tristan Ingold, sr., 5-11, 185, QB/WR/LB/kicker; Zeek Cordova, jr., 6-1, 240, lineman; Tyshon Jones, sr., 5-7, 170, RB/DB; Isaac Wright, sr., 6-3, 195, WR/defensive end; Isaiah Toliniu, sr., 6-2, 300, lineman; Jeremiah Williams, jr., 5-8, 220, RB/LB; Amarjaray Pace, jr., 5-10, 170, WR/DB; Curtis Hoyle, sophomore, 5-8, 225, RB/LB; Mahlik Hall, soph., 6-1, 160, WR/CB; Jovan McConico, soph., 6-1, 165, WR/RB/DB

• Strengths: Offensive and defensive lines, team speed, athleticism. “Our line is the strongest and deepest it has been since we took over in 2010, and this group has a very tight bond between them. We expect them to lead the way all year long,” Allen said.

• Weaknesses: Depth at the skill positions.

• Outlook: “We expect to be a league title contender and make a playoff run. We finished second in league last year and have a lot of players coming back from that team. We played in a first-round playoff game last year and the boys are hungry to improve upon that success,” Allen said.

KENTRIDGE

• Coach: Marty Osborn, 25th year, 135-106 record at KR

• Last year’s record: 1-9 overall

• Returning starters: Brian Brown, sr. 6-0, 195, RB/LB; Johnny Chen, sr., 6-2, 295, lineman, three-year starter, All SPSL OL; JT Meier, sr., 6-0, 285, lineman, three-year starter, honorable mention All SPSL lineman; Vincent Fesili, sr., 6-0, 265, lineman, three-year starter, honorable mention ALL SPSL lineman; Malik McFerrin, sr., 5-7, 175, RB/DB, three-year starter, honorable mention All SPSL QB; Sam Mullins, sr., 5-9, 180, RB/DB, set KR kick-off return record of 99 yards last season; Tanner Conner, sr., 6-2, 185, WR/DB; Elijah Ticeson, sr., 6-2, 185, WR/DB; Andrew Paino, sr. 6-0, 205, LB; Brayden Poffenroth, sr., 6-0, 235, lineman; Jordan Omatsu, jr., 5-8, 185, RB/LB; Andre Chatman, jr. 5-11, 175, RB/DB;

• Top newcomers: Chris Nickerson, jr., 5-5, 155, RB/LB; Rontrell Parker, sr. 6-3, 315, lineman; Vili Tuipulotu, jr., 5-8, 335, lineman; T.J. Timai, jr., 5-8, 245, OL/DL; Fotu Matuu, sr., 6’1, 265, lineman; JaQuan DuBose, jr., 6-0, 255, RB/LB; Phoenix Copp, sr., 5-8, 165, RB/LB; Brock O’Neal, jr., 6-0, 155, WR/DB; Mason Glover, soph. 5-8, 155, QB/DB; Max Arend, soph.  6’2, 195, QB/LB; Thomas Shorack, soph., 5-9, 165, RB/DB; Sabian Tsang, jr. 6-0, 155, kicker/punter

• Strengths: Speed, experience, attitude, work ethic

• Weaknesses: Turnovers, conditioning, production

KENTWOOD

• Coach: Michael Bush, first year

• Last year’s record: 4-0 conference, 8-2 overall

• Returning starters: Isaiah Williams, RB/DB, 5-11, 160; Brian Campbell, QB, 6-2, 175; Keaton Tompkins, lineman, 6-1, 240; Conner Benson, WR, 6-1, 175; Andrew Leick, lineman, 6-1, 210; Joshua Tingstad, LB, 5-11, 185; Trenton Harris, LB, 6-3, 180; Sam Kramer, DB 6-0.

• Strengths: Running game

• Weaknesses: Depth

• Outlook: “As a team, we are looking to be competitive in every game,” Bush said.

KENTLAKE

• Coach: Brett Thompson, first year

• Last year’s record: 5-5 overall

• Returning starters: Drew Dixon, sr., 5-10, 225, RB; Brandon Kelley, jr., 6-2, 268, lineman; Tanner Chick, sr., 6-1, 225, lineman, Eddie Mixich, jr., 5-10, 191, lineman; Ben Engstrom, sr., 6-3, 228, lineman, David Morasch, jr., 6-2, 202, lineman; Micah Vaifale, jr., 5-8, 230, LB; Mitch Alberts, sr., 5-11, 160, LB

• Top newcomers: Austin McBryde, sr., 6-0, 151, WR/DB; Larry Alar, jr., 5-7, 159, WR; Mitchell Lockhart, jr., 5-10, 167, WR/FS

• Strengths: Experience at offensive line and running back, aggressive defense, depth at wide receiver

• Weaknesses: Depth at offensive and defensive line.

• Outlook: “Great group of young men who are hungry to get better and who are excited to play as a team,” Thompson said.