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.

Kennewick (3A Big Nine)

We thought the Lions would be good last year, and  truth be told they did not live up to expectations. Well this year we will not make any bold predictions… however we will say that they have perhaps the best athlete in the Big Nine in Drew Loftus.  Loftus has received offers for Football (New Mexico State) and even more interest for Baseball (UW, WSU, etc).  Drew moves to full-time QB this year after playing primarily WR last year.

In addition to Loftus the Lions have several other baseball converts in  DL/TE Tyler Morfin and Wr/DB Trek Stemp.  More athleticism can be found at Saftey with 6’3″ Bryce Leavitt and 6’4″ Cody Gadeberg.  Zach Albertin may have the best combination of strength and speed on the team.

Names to watch on Defense include Xzavier Campos, TJ Fields and Ivan Diaz.  The Lions benefit from their new 3A classification and may just fly under the radar…

Concerns: How to keep Loftus from not wanting to play every down.  Believing that they have the juice to compete.

Family Ties: TE/Dl Tyler Morfin’s cousin is Oakland A’s OF Travis Buck.

Pasco (3A Big Nine)

Still searching (no pun intended) for an identity, the Bulldogs hope to rebound from a disappointing season and return to prominence on the Big Nine scene.  To do that it will take all hands on deck and a superb season from the likes of Brandon Search, Devaunte Lamb, and Devante Cleavland.

Always blessed with athletes, Pasco faces a Week 2 grudge match against new Pasco school Chiawana. For the Bulldogs to have success a leader must appear at QB, and upfront they need to be physical.  If those 2 things can happen they may be able to have their way with a up-for-grabs (sans Kamiakin) 3A division.

Concerns: Settling in on a QB.  Winning the recruiting war with Chiawana.

Eastmont (3A Big Nine)

The Wildcats were a team that showed flashes last season. This year things would appear to be bright starting with QB Lucas McGill, son of Head Coach Doug  McGill, Lucas showed excellent mobility to go with a good arm.  His #1 target this year will be Darren Spaeth a stout 6’2″ 210 athlete.

The line will be anchored by Jacob Sauileone, he’s the one with the hair coming out of his helmet, and he will make opposing QB’s helmets come OFF. Free Safety Trevor Osborn will play physical all game long.  The Wildcats may surprise this year, and have as good a chance as any to make nose in the 3A  ranks.

They open at home vs upstart Davis, if they can get by them intact and then come out strong vs rival Wenatchee in week2, they could be 2-0 heading into league play at-home vs. Kennewick.

Family Ties: Head Coach Doug McGill’s son Lucas is the starting Quarterback.

Southridge (3A Big Nine)

On paper, the Suns would seem to be in the middle of a rebuilding year.  Which can only mean that opponents may do better than the combined 98 points in 10 games than they managed last year.  First year Coach Tony Rieboldt takes over for Andy Troxel who stepped down at the end of last season for largely unknown reasons.

Rieboldt will have his defense charged and ready no doubt. First year Offensive Coordinator Jason Deveere (also the head Boys Basketball Coach) inherits the leading returning rusher in the Big Nine in Dallin Palmer.  Palmer is definitely worth the price of admission and should be among the league leaders again this year.

Backup RB Chris Haueter is every bit as fast and elusive as Palmer, and makes for a deft 1-2 punch.  1st year QB Matt Mendehall will look to minimize mistakes by handing off to Palmer and Haueter, but he is no doubt itching to throw the ball deep to WR Josh Richards, a Jr who drew raves from coaches at EWU this summer.

Concerns: Can the defense reload?

West Valley- Yakima  (3A Big Nine)

First year coach John Beck takes over the helm of a WV team that looks to turn around there recent troubles and start heading the program in the right direction.  To do that it will take heart (check), talent (check), and experience (not so much).  The Rams are in the middle of a self-described youth movement.

That being said, this year may be one of lump-taking, but could still produce  quality results and its share of victories.  Leading the way are names such as Senior RB Ryan Clark, OL/DL Matthew Couette, and RB/DB Gerrick Andrews.

Depth and inexperience may be the Achilles heel of this Rams unit, but as their new school building will attest, the future can be brighter than the past.

Walla-Walla (4A Big Nine)

The Blue Devils are in a bit of a transition themselves.  Gone are super-stars Gary Winston (Idaho Basketball), and Michael Wiesner ( Montana Basketball).  Also gone is long-time coach Marc Yonts being replaced by Mike Gobel.

Don’t feel too sorry for the Blue Devils as there are a number of players who were waiting for their chance to shine on friday nights at Borleske Stadium.  The biggest returning playmaker is Moe Handcox, a shiftyWR-type whit a knack for making big plays.  Jake Robertson looks to fill the QB role. and underclassmen such as Jake Campau, Miguel Torres, and Jonah Hoe want to make their names known.

Don’t expect a lot of razzle-dazzle out of the play calling this year and the youth gain experience.

Concerns: The defense not giving up big plays.

The 2010 All-State teams were released yesterday for Baseball, Fastpitch, and Soccer.

Among the names on the top of those lists were Trek Stemp (’12) Kennewick and Garret Anderson (’11) Kamiakin.

Stemp, in just his Sophomore year, in continues to rack up awards as he was also one of 2 Sophomores named to the Washington State Baseball Coaches Association 4A Team. Stemp is undoubtedly one of the top prospects in his class and big things are expected of him in the years to come.

Anderson, who also excels on the hardwood, is a Left-Handed pitcher with plus stuff, and the mettle to go the distance. Heading into his senior year look for Anderson to add additional velocity and control in the off-season.

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