Kentridge Chargers

• Coach: Marty Osborn, 18th season.

• Last season: 5-2 in SPSL North play, tied for second in the division; 6-4 overall.

• Offense: Shotgun spread.

• Defense: 3-5/5-3.

• Top returners (Name, year, position, height/weight): Devin Topps, jr., TB/ILB, 6-2/215; Russell Turpin, Sr., OC/DT, 6-4/240; Alex Ferguson, sr., TB/LB/K/P, 6-0/197; Dylan Zylstra, jr., OL/DE, 6-4/215; Wes Concepcion, so., K, 5-10/150; Brandon Inman, jr., WR, 5-7/145; Jaden Cox, jr., OL/DL, 6-4/255; Brandon Peterson, sr., OT, 6-6/235; Byron Benson, sr., WR/DB, 5-9/165; Austin Robinson, jr., OL/DL, 6-4/255.

• Key newcomers (Name, year, position, height/weight): Alex Manso, sr., WR/FS/QB, 5-11/170; Harrison Rosane, jr., ILB; Matt Campos, sr., 5-11/210; Jon Kwon, jr., OL/LB, 5-10/215; Ian Anderson, jr., WR/QB, 5-9/160; Jason Didis, jr., WR/DB, 6-2/190; Nico White, jr., WR/LB, 5-10/170.

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• Outlook: Some teams used blue-chippers to find success, others are of the blue-collar variety who work for everything they get – and wind up getting a lot. Kentridge could fit the latter description in 2008. “We don’t have that one or two superstars, but we have some pretty good players, a lot of guys who have been role players, guys who rotated last year and are kind of stepping up,” coach Marty Osborn said. Take senior Alex Manso, for instance. He played JV quarterback two years ago, moved up to varsity and was a starting wide receiver last year, and now is the starting quarterback. Manso, Russ Turpin, Jaden Cox and Devin Topps and Dylan Zylstra are solid two-way players. And the fact remains that the North Division has that wide-open feel about it.

• Can’t-miss game: Sure, the inner-city rivalries with Kentlake, Kentwood and Kent-Meridian always are good, but rest assured, the Chargers have had Sept. 19 at Federal Way circled on their calendar for quite some time. Kentridge fell to Federal Way 27-21 in overtime last year in Week 8, a defeat that cost the Chargers a chance at the league title. Federal Way is pegged by many to be the favorite this season, meaning a Kentridge win would go a long way in regards to playoff positioning.

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