SPSL South football preview: Painful lesson learned for Graham-Kapowsin's Kahlil Dawson

Graham-Kapowsin High School’s Kahlil Dawson learned the lesson the hard way.

Dawson was one of the Eagles’ top cover defenders – a ball-hawking, ultra-confident cornerback. But when Bellarmine Prep’s Michael Rector, a Stanford signee, piled up 185 receiving yards and three touchdowns at Dawson’s expense in the Lions’ 37-19 victory in a Class 4A state play-in game, the defensive back took it pretty hard.

“It took a few months for me to get over it,” Dawson said. “But I look at it now, and I needed it. It was humbling, and I’ve learned from my mistakes. I grew as a player.”

Dawson did not shy away from that painful lesson, either. In fact, the 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior watched the recording of it over and over during the offseason.

And he broke down the sequences, one play after another, and noticed technical breakdowns.

The biggest flaw, he said, was covering the route early. During his back-pedaling, he wasn’t staying low enough to the ground – he was either losing his balance and slipping off stride, or getting knocked down.

That problem never cropped up during the South Puget Sound League South Division season because teams had the Portland State recruit thoroughly scouted – and rarely threw to his side of the field. That enabled teammate Jordan Ivie to share the league lead in interceptions (four).

But in the playoffs, it was a different matter.

“I (had become) lackadaisical,” Dawson said. “I have to be aware the whole time now, no matter how bored I get. I’ve learned how to be more focused.”

Dawson also plans on using that focus when the football is in his hands. He will be a go-to receiver for new quarterback Brady Austin – mainly lining up in the slot. He will also return punts and kickoffs.

“He changes his speed really well and sets up each one of his blocks,” Graham-Kapowsin coach Eric Kurle said. “He’s super strong and super quick.”

Playing on both sides of the ball is something Dawson has been doing since he was in youth leagues. Back then, he played running back – and that vision has helped him break open big plays.

“I feel like I can make plays anywhere on the field,” he said.

On the Throne

With a core group of seniors, defending champion Federal Way should be even better than it was in 2011.

In the Spotlight

Big (6-foot-2, 230 pounds) and fast (4.7 seconds in 40-yard dash), Federal Way’s Albert Havili is a heat-seeking missile at weak-side linebacker.

Change is Good

Or necessary. Without quarterback Justin Hordyk, Bethel will have to slow it down (scored SPSL-record 451 points in 2011).

By the Numbers

Only one 1,000-yard rusher returns in the SPSL – Curtis High’s E.J. Deveaux, who also led the league in touchdowns (18).

Projected Finish

Federal Way (10-1 last year), Graham-Kapowsin (5-5), Curtis (6-5), Bethel (8-3), Rogers (5-5), Puyallup (6-4), Beamer (2-8), Emerald Ridge (2-8), Spanaway Lake (1-9).

Mark the Date

Sept. 13: Graham-Kapowsin at Federal Way, Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.

todd.milles@thenewstribune.com

SPSL SOUTH 2012 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

BEAMER TITANS

Coach: Darren McKay, first year

2011 record: 2-8, 8th in league.

Offense: Coordinator (set) – Darren McKay (spread). Returning starters – 2. Top players – RB Chris Fa’amalele, 5-11, 240, so.; RB Brody Martinez, 5-10, 182, so.; WR Adrian Shocks, 6-1, 160, jr.; TE Meilo Tauala, 6-0, 220, sr.; RB Caleb Waller, 5-10, 180, sr.; OL Milo Loving Williams, 6-1, 232, sr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) – Darren McKay (3-4). Returning starters – 6. Top players – LB Chris Fa’amalele, 5-11, 240, so.; LB Archie Ioramo, 5-10, 195, sr.; DB Marcus Schimmelfenning, 5-9, 160, jr.; DB Adrian Shocks, 6-1, 160, jr.; LB Meilo Tuaula, 6-0, 220, sr.; LB Milo Loving Williams, 6-1, 232, sr.

Outlook: At least the Titans acted quickly to hire a new coach with a track record in McKay (past 12 seasons at Gig Harbor). Because he was hired late, McKay will coordinate both sides of the ball – with midweek help from brother Shawn in practice. A young, speedy bunch should lean on its linebacking trio of Loving Williams, Tauala and Fa’amalele.

BETHEL BRAVES

Coach: Gavin Kralik, eighth year

2011 record: 8-3, 2nd in league; lost in 4A first round.

Offense: Coordinator (set) – Justin Larsen (multiple). Returning starters – 2. Top players – WR Bryce Bowers, 6-1, 175, jr.; OL Morgan Calapp, 6-5, 275, sr.; OL Caleb Hancock, 6-0, 185, jr.; RB John Thompson, 5-9, 185, sr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) – Vince Tarsi (3-4). Returning starters – 3. Top players – DL Jon Concepcion, 5-9, 240, jr.; DB Blake Schwartz, 6-2, 180, jr.; LB Eli Teuteu, 5-10, 185, so.; DB John Thompson, 5-9, 185, sr.; DL Orion Turnbull, 6-5, 260, sr.; DL Schuyler Witt, 6-5, 215, sr.

Outlook: The Braves’ quick-strike offense helped them win a lot of shootouts last year. Although the defense created takeaways, it also gave up a ton of points. Kralik should look for ways to shorten the game this season, and has the big offensive and defensive lines to control the football – and win a few lower-scoring tussles.

CURTIS VIKINGS

Coach: Clay Angle, sixth year

2011 record: 6-5, 5th in league; lost in 4A districts.

Offense: Coordinator (set) – Clay Angle (multiple). Returning starters – 5. Top players – OL Zack Budnick, 6-4, 280, sr.; OL Chris Coffin, 6-4, 280, sr.; TE Anthony Davis, 6-3, 185, sr.; E.J. Deveaux, 5-10, 185, sr.; WR Dom Jordan, 5-10, 175, sr.; WR Carter McKay, 6-0, 180, jr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) – Jeff Housman (3-3-5). Returning starters – 6. Top players – DB Anthony Davis, 6-3, 185, sr.; E.J. Deveaux, 5-10, 185, sr.; DB Dom Jordan, 5-10, 175, sr.; LB Calvin McClain, 6-1, 215, jr.; DL Odessa Mendoza, 5-11, 235, jr.; LB Beau Olsen, 6-2, 200, jr.

Outlook: Although the Vikings advanced to the postseason for a fourth consecutive year in 2011, hardly anyone was satisfied. One good aspect was the seasoning given to underclassmen, and now Curtis has a good core of juniors and seniors leading the way – led by Deveaux, a two-way, all-SPSL South first-teamer at tailback and cornerback.

Coaches: Brian Anderson, Torey Donovan, Darren Erath, Troy Halfaday, Adam Schakel, third year

2011 record: 2-8, 7th in league.

Offense: Coordinator (set) – Adam Schakel (spread). Returning starters – 3. Top players – WR Alec Jones, 5-10, 175, sr.; WR Landon Jones, 6-1, 175, so.; RB Ashanti Kindle, 5-10, 185, jr.; TE Drew Livingston, 6-3, 220, sr.; QB Kort Skoda, 5-11, 195, sr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) – Brian Anderson (3-3-5). Returning starters – 6. Top players – DB Drew Livingston, 6-3, 220, sr.; DB Ethan Martinez, 5-11, 170, sr.; DB Matthew Martinez, 5-9, 170, sr.; DB Kort Skoda, 5-11, 195, sr.

Outlook: Two years have been spent building up the program’s base, especially turnout numbers. Now, the five-man coaching staff expects the Jaguars to make noise this season. Skoda, a standout pitcher on the baseball team, is a dual threat – and should have reliable weapons in Alec Jones and Livingston.

FEDERAL WAY EAGLES

Coach: John Meagher, 16th year

2011 record: 10-1, 1st in league; lost in 4A first round.

Offense: Coordinators (set) – Beckett Cordes and Marcus Yzaguire (pistol option). Returning starters – 7. Top players – QB Evan Elliott, 5-10, 175, sr.; OL Albert Havili, 6-2, 230, sr.; RB Rod Jones, 6-2, 240, sr.; RB Chico McClatcher, 5-8, 155, so.; RB Zeek McNeal, 5-11, 175, sr.; WR Mike Tate, 6-1, 175, sr.; WR D’Londo Tucker, 6-1, 175, sr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) – Bryant Thomas (3-5). Returning starters – 7. Top players – LB Albert Havili, 6-2, 230, sr.; LB Rod Jones, 6-2, 240, sr.; DB J.J. McNeal, 5-7, 175, sr.; DB Zeek McNeal, 5-11, 175, sr.; DB Aaron Persinger, 6-2, 185, sr.; DL Jay-Tee Tiuli, 6-3, 295, jr.

Outlook: On paper, this should be Meagher’s best team at Federal Way. He has seven seniors who are three-year starters – ones who were thrown into the fire as sophomores during the disappointing 2010 campaign (4-6 record, one win at home). Last season, the Eagles won the league, and sport enough overall speed to fly away with another title.

Coach: Eric Kurle, seventh year

2011 record: 5-5, 4th in league; lost in 4A districts.

Offense: Coordinator (set) – Eric Kurle (multiple). Returning starters – 8. Top players – RB/WR Dylan Campbell, 6-1, 185, jr.; WR Kahlil Dawson, 5-9, 170, sr.; OL Joe Gomez, 6-3, 215, sr.; RB Teague James, 5-10, 260, jr.; RB Kyle Madsen, 5-10, 210, sr.; TE Connor McLeod, 6-3, 190, jr.; OL Logan Woods, 6-2, 245, sr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) – John Moorhead (3-5). Returning starters – 8. Top players – LB Brady Austin, 6-2, 215, sr.; DB Dylan Campbell, 6-1, 185, jr.; DB Kahlil Dawson, 5-9, 170, sr.; LB Teague James, 5-10, 260, jr.; DL Ula Porter, 6-2, 225, sr.; DL Issac Schmidt, 6-2, 330, sr.

Outlook: Deep and versatile, the Eagles really could be one of the best teams in Class 4A as the season goes on. With Austin, a tight end last season, coming in to play quarterback, the offense not only has a bona fide leader, but it also can run a number of things with the ball in his hands, including the option read.

PUYALLUP VIKINGS

Coach: Gary Jeffers, third year

2011 record: 6-4, 3rd in league; lost in 4A districts.

Offense: Coordinator (set) – Gary Jeffers (spread). Returning starters – 2. Top players – RB Rob Howard, 5-11, 180, sr.; OL Bailey Hunter, 6-7, 270, sr.; WR Justin Janker, 5-8, 160, sr.; WR Levi Jordan, 5-8, 160, jr.; OL Quinn Rawson, 6-3, 250, jr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) – John Garden (3-3 stack). Returning starters – 3. Top players – DB Rob Howard, 5-11, 180, sr.; DL Zeb Hornbuckle, 6-3, 215, sr.; DB Justin Janker, 5-8, 160, sr.; DB Levi Jordan, 5-8, 160, jr.; DL Quinn Rawson, 6-3, 250, jr.

Outlook: A team in transition. All-SPSL South second-team quarterback Rhys Gervais transferred to Lakes, leaving Puyallup with three relatively unknown entities to replace him in sophomores Brendan Illies and Zach Nixon, and junior D.J. Winter. With only 14 seniors, the Vikings have to rely on underclassmen.

ROGERS RAMS

Coach: Gene Bowen, ninth year

2011 record: 5-5, 6th in league.

Offense: Coordinator (set) – Gene Bowen (multiple). Returning starters – 7. Top players – RB Austin Hardin, 5-8, 165, jr.; TE Matt Malcuit, 6-4, 230, sr.; RB Andy Nelson, 5-8, 175, sr.; OL Jacob Nelson, 5-9, 255, sr.; RB DeWayne Scott, 6-1, 225, sr.; OL Lucas Trahan, 6-0, 235, jr.; QB Stefan Van Horn, 6-1, 185, sr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) – James Beauchaine (3-3 stack). Returning starters – 6. Top players – DB Damian Jackson, 5-8, 170, sr.; DB Andy Nelson, 5-8, 175, sr.; LB DeWayne Scott, 6-1, 185, sr.; DB Stefan Van Horn, 6-1, 185, sr.

Outlook: It was a down year in 2011 by the Rams’ standards, but Rogers has talent at the skill positions, led by Van Horn, who is the league’s top returner in total offense (224.1 yards a game). He should get solid protection from a smallish but experienced offensive line – and has targets in Hardin and newcomer LaGrant Pegram.

SPANAWAY LAKE SENTINELS

Coach: John Robak, 18th year

2011 record: 1-9, 9th in league.

Offense: Coordinator (set) – John Robak (multiple). Returning starters – 6. Top players – WR Adian Malalang, 5-9, 175, jr.; QB Joe Martin, 6-0, 195, sr.; OL Aaron Monzon, 6-4, 260, sr.; RB/TE Kyle Pickering, 6-2, 215, sr.; OL Alex Young-Salanoa, 5-11, 250, sr.; OL Ryan Towe, 6-2, 270, sr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) – John Moorhead (3-5). Returning starters – 5. Top players – LB Ryan Dix, 5-10, 200, jr.; DB Joe Martin, 6-0, 195, jr.; DL Aaron Monzon, 6-4, 260, sr.; DL Kyle Pickering, 6-2, 215, sr.; DL Alex Young-Salanoa, 5-11, 250, sr.

Outlook: Although the Sentinels return six starters on offense, they’ll need to find a way to replace leading rusher Marcus Thomas (616 yards, six TDs), who graduated. Martin, a dual-threat quarterback, will need to drastically improve on his decision-making in the passing game (three TDs, 11 interceptions in 2011) to give the Sentinels a steady presence.

Tyler Hemstreet, contributing writer