GSL 4A: Gonzaga Prep wants another 4A title, but will get pushed by CV, Mead
GONZAGA PREP BULLPUPS
The Bullpups were ranked No. 1 in the preseason rankings. That’s more out of respect from the body of work from a year ago.
G-Prep certainly has the goal of finishing in that spot. But the Bullpups, who return nine starters, have some holes to fill – specifically in their front seven on defense, at quarterback and running back.
Coach Dave McKenna says there are capable candidates for those positions.
“Building off what we did last year as a program, these kids hopefully will take that and run with it,” McKenna said.
Ryan Gross, a starter at wide receiver last year, slides over to quarterback. Backup Kasey Anthony will start at running back and first team all-league defensive back Sam Lockett will also see some time at running back.
The Bullpups bring back three starters and a couple of backups on a solid offensive line.
Devin Culp, who gave the University of Oregon an oral commitment this summer, returns at wide receiver.
“What we can take from last year is how we practiced, how hard you have to practice,” McKenna said. “These kids practiced extremely hard this summer, they got after it, they know how to compete and that’s where it starts.”
McKenna enjoyed the ride last year. It was made all the more merry because his son, senior middle linebacker Conor McKenna, was a big part of the Bullpups’ suffocating defense.
McKenna’s excitement for another year was evident the first day of practice.
“I was thinking about having a kid go through it how fast the season goes,” McKenna said. “But (for the first day) for this journey, I’m excited to enjoy it with these kids.”
CENTRAL VALLEY BEARS
New coach, some familiar names and high expectations.
That sums up the Bears as they launch a new era under coach Ryan Butner, a 17-year assistant for Rick Giampietri.
Giampietri, the godfather of the GSL, stepped down as head coach last spring. But he will remain as an assistant, heading up the defense.
CV returns 13 starters, eight on defense, off a team that advanced to the first round of the playoffs.
The defense is anchored by four-year starters Jordan Talafili (tackle) and Travis Hawkins (linebacker).
Two-year starting quarterback Tanner Sloan graduated but Butner is high on senior Conner DeGeest, a first-team all-state pitcher. He’s joined in the backfield by Tre’von Tuggles, who transferred at the end of first semester last year from University.
The shifty Tuggles is the top returning rusher in the GSL. He rushed for 665 yards and eight TDs in league a year ago.
Also back on offense is speedy slotback Braedon Orrino, receiver Rhett Foley and tight end Correy Quinn.
Another offensive threat is placekicker Ryan Rehkow, who has committed to Brigham Young University. He has a big leg and can dig the offense out of a hole as a punter, too. He was first-team all-league last year.
The Bears must retool their offensive line. It’s not a matter of bodies but a matter of who will start.
“Our depth at the skill positions is as good as it’s been in recent years,” Butner said. “Our team expects to be in the hunt come Week 9.”
Week 9, by the way, is when CV visits G-Prep. That game may decide the league title.
Interlake coach Dave Myers, a finalist for Giampietri’s job, was hired by Butner to be the team’s offensive coordinator. The Bears have tweaked their spread offense.
Myers’ Interlake teams averaged more than 30 points a game with athletes far less talented than the Bears.
“If we can grasp the offense quickly, we can take pressure off of our defense,” Butner said.
MEAD PANTHERS
Second-year coach Benji Sonnichsen smiled when asked if he’s enjoyed having a year to prepare for his second campaign.
He was hired in mid-June last year and had to cram much learning into a couple months. The Panthers showed signs of their potential for this season when they managed to finish 6-4. They were competitive in every game.
The Panthers return 17 starters, 10 on offense, including quarterback Payton Loucks and Thomas Dammarell, who shared time at quarterback last year but will be used primarily at wide receiver this fall.
Returning starter EJ Bade will probably get most of the carries at running back.
The Panthers will push the tempo with a no-huddle offense.
“Our team is unified and has worked hard this off season,” Sonnichsen said. “We are curious to find out how good we can be.”
FERRIS SAXONS
The Saxons can’t wait to see how improved they are over 2015, when they had their first losing season (3-7) under 11-year coach Jim Sharkey, whose teams have captured five league titles, finished state runner-up and won a state title (2010).
Ferris brings back 15 starters, led by seniors Logan Bunker (QB) and Jonny Via (RB), who will miss a couple games as he recovers from a summer knee injury.
Leading the Saxons on defense is senior cornerback Max Thompson.
Most of the Saxons’ returners are poised to make names for themselves. They got valuable playing time behind a small senior class a year ago.
Ferris could be a dark horse if teams picked to finish higher stumble.
“We have lots of returners and a large motivated senior class,” Sharkey said. “We should be much more competitive but the schedule is tough. So we will need to limit our mistakes and create turnovers.”
UNIVERSITY TITANS
Adam Daniel takes over as head coach after three years as an assistant for Rob Bartlett, who has moved into administration.
This is Daniel’s second head coaching job. He coached two years at Newport before moving to U-Hi.
U-Hi graduated 16 starters. So Daniel inherits a rebuilding job.
Four-year starters Clayton Fincher (center/defensive line) and Ethan Jones (LB/TE) and three-year starters Bryan Brayley (RB/DB) and Marcus Miller (DB/WR) will be counted on heavily as leaders to a young team.
“Our skill positions have plenty of speed and athleticism and are the most experienced group on our team,” Daniel said.
Daniel will lean on the intangibles.
“Our team chemistry is as strong as I’ve ever been around,” he said. “We have a bunch of kids who love to work hard. Our strength is our commitment to one another and a bunch of kids who are scrappy and love to fly around and hit people.”
LEWIS AND CLARK TIGERS
The Tigers have been play-in qualifiers the last two years. To do so for a third straight year would be a mighty accomplishment for a team that lost much to graduation.
LC returns just six starters. The Tigers are led by seniors Cameron Duncan (DB/RB) and James Aargon (RB/defensive end).
Coach Dave Hughes installed a run-based, play-action offense when he was hired as an assistant in 2003. The Tigers are changing to a spread run-pass option attack this season.
“We figured this was a good time with the younger group that we have,” Hughes said. “We are excited to have talented underclassmen ready to step up and fill the shoes of the new Tiger football team.”