Washington Sports Network Blog

Davis

The Pirates came out with guns blazing and sending a message to all, bring you’re A game or don’t bother coming… The days of marking a win on your calendar is over! Deion (The Great) Wright put on one of the most impressive performances in Pirates history, throwing for 349 yards to break James Phillips’ 13-year-old school record.  For all those that didn’t know, now you know, the Pirates are for real!

Chiawana

This team won one game last year, and I’m here to tell you they will win a lot more than that this year.  Truthfully, I feel sorry for the teams that beat them last year, because this years’ version has the ability to make teams wish the game was just over, ask Hanford! Not only did they look impressive on the offensive side of the ball, but they looked just as impressive on Defense. If there is one Achilles heel with this team, it’s their ability to kick field goals and extra points, that is something they must fix before the big dogs come calling. With that being said I don’t see anyone in the Big 9 slowing down the Riverhawks. Pick your poison, stopping Luc Graff, Jordan Downing, or Miquayah Zamora?

Richland

All I can say is Defense, Defense, and Defense! This Richland team is very physical on both side of the ball; it will be very difficult task for teams to score on Richland this year. From everything we’re hearing about the game with Pasco, the Bulldogs will score a lot of points on teams this year, but couldn’t manage to do it against the Bombers. All I can say is bring a lot of ice for your team when playing Richland. Richland is one of those team that will beat you up when they’re on offense AND defense. With the physical running of Jake McKinney and a knock-the-snot-out-of-your-nose defense, the Bombers are all we thought they would be.

Sunnyside

The Sunnyside Grizzles came out roaring Friday and showed that they are a team to fear.  Andrew Daley threw 3 touchdowns and ran for 1 more; Daley was a one man wrecking crew and if he’s able to continue this pace until Israel Manzo returns, the Grizzles will be a tough out for anyone. Watch out Pirates here come the Sunnyside boys!

Hanford

The Falcons looked really young and inexperienced, but showed flashes of a team that will compete later in the years. One of the bright spots for the Falcons was Cameron Wagar; he rushed for 116 yard on 17 carries against a pretty good Chiawana defense.  Coach Oram will get these boys back on track.  Too bad they opened against 2 of the tougher teams in the Big Nine 4A, if not the 4A state!

Kennewick

This may well be the dark horse team this year. Kennewick looked very explosive on offense and showed a lot of speed on defense. Grant Woods showed that he can take some pressure off Drew Loftus by rushing for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Kennewick appears to be a balanced team and have a lot of horses that will give opposing coaches nightmares. This is arguably the most athletic team in the Big9!  Loftus is worth the price of admission, and defensively these boys fly around! Can’t wait to see how they perform this week against Hermiston!

Wenatchee

Wenatchee continues to do what they do best, and that is win. Cooper Helm and company came into Lampson field and smacked Southridge right in the mouth, with an early 17-3 half time lead, and were able to hold off a late charge by the Suns to squeak out a one inch victory in overtime (32-31). If Cooper Helm can stay healthy, Wenatchee should continue to win most games this year.  This team will only continue to improve!  The Panthers have a number of weapons, including some nice WR’s in Jared Jeager and Keaton Smith.

Southridge

Southridge is a team that despite their opening game loss to the Panthers of Wenatchee learned some valuable lessons in week 1.  Matt Mendenhall shook off some early jitters to turn in the weeks top passing performance.  With targets like AJ Henderson, Josh Richards, and TE Jon Buffington Mendenhall may put up the best numbers in conference.  Dual threat back Palmer and Haueter are as deadly as any.  Defensively Southridge will continue to improve as well, Chance White in particular was a surprise standout for the Suns.

Kamiakin

Talent, talent, and more talent.  The Brave were missing Tyler Holle on offense, and Drew Oord on defense and still managed to slap Prosser around after an early feeling out period.  We know they will be explosive on Offense, but these boys also like to pop on D.  The Big Nine is shaping up to be THE conference in the State this year, I dare anybody to tell us differently.  Joey Jansen will improve as the season progresses, and with the weapons he has at his displsal he can take his time.  AJ Griffiths, Tim White, and Zach Umemoto will take turns in the spotlight on Friday nights.

Coach of the Year: Scott Biglin, Kamiakin – Revamped offense, made it to playoffs in 1st year, I’d say that’s pretty good!
MVP: Jacob Sealby, Senior RB/LB Wenatchee – Biggest game changer in the league on both sides of the ball, just ask Pasco!
MVP Offense: Joe Fuerst, Senior RB Eisenhower – Best combo of speed and power in the league
MVP Defense: Austin Graves, Senior LB/DL Southridge – An absolute beast on the defensive side of the ball

All-Offense Team:
QB: Dylan Signorelli, Senior, Moses Lake – Hutch had more yards, but Signorelli had accuracy and mobility
RB: Jacob Sealby, Senior, Wenatchee – see above
RB: Joe Fuerst, Senior, Eisenhower – see above
WR: Tim White, Junior, Kamiakin – route running, quickness, speed, D-1 potential
WR: Antonio Martinez, Senior, Eisenhower – under appreciated WR, good hands, play-maker
WR: Drew Loftus, Junior, Kennewick – great athlete, deceptive speed, game changing ability, multi-sport D-1 potential
OL: Mike Marboe, Senior, Wenatchee - earth mover, headed to Idaho next year
OL: Brent Anderson, Senior, Southridge – hard working, blocks til you submit
OL: Alec Martin, Junior, Wenatchee – look for even bigger things next year, stood out on a stellar line
OL: Zach Sumerlin, Senior, Walla-Walla – man-child, size and power to get it done
OL: Abel Soto, Senior, Eisenhower – opened holes for Fuerst, can’t question his heart

Special Teams

Gunner: Lucas Sealby, Senior, Wenatchee – caused havoc on kickoffs and more!
Return Man: Israel Manzo, Sophomore, Sunnyside – Most exciting return we saw live (game winner vs. Davis!)
P: Enrique Espinoza, Senior, Eastmont – Athletic versatile player
K: Angel Guerra, Junior, Wenatchee – Great kicks all year long

All-Defense Team

DL: Austin Graves, Senior, Southridge – see above
DL: CJ McCray, Sophomore, Davis – most athletic DL we saw all year
DL: Broderick Hirai, Senior, Southridge – impressed us every time we saw him
DL: Ryan Watson, Senior, Eisenhower – Big part of Ike’s success this year
LB: Seth Kline, Senior, Eisenhower – “guided missile”, next level motor and intensity
LB: Jacob Sealby, Senior, Wenatchee – see above
LB: Matt Minnich, Senior, Kamiakin – followed in the tradition of great Kamiakin LBs
DB: Aaron Flippo, Senior, Walla-Walla – helped shut down opposing passing attacks
DB: Dallin Brimley, Senior, Kennewick – nose for the ball, instincts to match
DB: James Akers, Senior, Eisenhower – athletic, gritty play all year long
DB: Leo Cueller, Senior, Sunnyside – another kid with a nose for the ball, always in the right place at the right time