B Preview Football

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2B: Many teams in the Northeast League graduated key starters. Reardan’s Jacob Ferderer, Jon Jayne and Alan Colvin contributed a lot to last year’s state title and are seniors this year, coach Eric Nikkola said. Reardan’s only loss last season was to league rival Davenport, which the Indians defeated in the state semifinals. The Gorillas will be looking to avenge the loss. … 1B: L-W is still a slight favorite in the league, even though the line is new this season. L-W coach Jeff Nelson said the league is wide open this year and “any team can beat anyone on any given day.” St. John-Endicott will be solid again this year and Sprague-Harrington has moved from the Northeast to the Southeast 1B League this season and will make an already tough league tougher. Keep your eye on S-H’s Leigh Talkington and Terry Kissler in the offensive backfield. Both rushed for more than 1,000 yards last season, averaging nearly 9 yards per carry. Talkington finished the season with 32 all-purpose TDs. Also all-leaguer Jared Ayers-Stamper will move from quarterback to tight end. Nelson said his size will be effective on the Tigercats line. Nelson predicts Colton’s Jacob Thomas will lead the league in receptions.

History in the making

L-W’s season opener is by far the most meaningful. The Tigercats play at Kootenai, Idaho, and a win will give them the record for the longest winning streak in Washington football history for all classifications at 49 games. They are tied with Toledo High School (1A) in western Washington.

Questions

Will last year’s state B champions repeat? Reardan and L-W graduated key starters last season and only time will tell which teams have what it takes. Nikkola said the game between his Indians and Davenport should be the showdown of the season. … Can Sprague-Harrington redeem last year’s state quarterfinal loss to L-W? That’s going to be tough as the Falcons have only four returning starters. The Falcons have three straight playoff appearances under their belt.