2A SPSL Mountain football preview: Top teams, players for 2018

ON THE THRONE

Fife was a perfect 7-0 against the 2A SPSL Mountain in 2017, averaging of 45.9 points per game while allowing just 5.4, on its way to a state-playoff appearance. The Trojans shut out three division opponents (Foss, Evergreen of Seattle, Foster), held three more to one touchdown, and allowed only Washington in the end zone more than once.

5 PLAYERS TO WATCH

TE/LB Sekai Asoau, Fife, sr.: Two-way standout for the Trojans was the 2A SPSL Mountain first-team tight end as a junior.

LB Toney Brown, Franklin Pierce, sr.: Second-team 2A SPSL Mountain pick led the Cardinals with 107 tackles (15 for losses) in 2017.

RB Josh Camacho, Washington, sr.: Averaged more than 100 yards per game for the Patriots last season and was a second-team 2A SPSL Mountain pick.

DB Jaylin Moate, Washington, sr.: 2A SPSL Mountain first-teamer was one of the Patriots’ leading tacklers and had multiple picks last season.

OL/DL Soli Paleso’o, Fife, sr.: Three-star defensive end has offers from Idaho, Montana State, Portland State, Utah State and Wyoming. Was the 2A SPSL Mountain defensive lineman of the year in 2017.

PROJECTED FINISH

Fife, Franklin Pierce, Washington, White River, Foster, Renton, Lindbergh, Foss

FIFE TROJANS

Coach: Kent Nevin, 16th year

2017: 9-2, 2A SPSL Mountain champion, lost in first round of state playoffs

Offense: Coordinator (set) — Shane Nixon (hybrid wing-T). Returning starters — 6. Top players — TE Sekai Asoau, 6-4, 230, sr.; OL Tristan Cruz, 5-10, sr.; OL Alex Nixon, 6-3, 265, sr.; OL Soli Paleso’o, 6-3, 270, sr.; OL Lupeti Sarte, 6-3, 270, sr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) — Arnoldo Arostegui (3-4). Returning starters — 6. Top players — LB Sekai Asoau, 6-4, 230, sr.; DL Miguel Cabalero, 5-10, 290, sr.; DB Gannon Ginnis, 6-1, 185, sr.; DL Soli Paleso’o, 6-3, 270, sr.; DL Lupeti Sarte, 6-3, 270, sr.

FOSS FALCONS

Coach: Corey Brown, first year

2017: 5-5, sixth in 2A SPSL Mountain

Offense: Coordinator (set) — Shawn Armstrong (multiple). Returning starters — 3. Top players — OL Marche Ellison, 5-9, 180, sr.; WR Jjawcem Green, 5-10, 160, sr.; RB Jonathan Hill, 5-5, 160, soph.

Defense: Coordinator (set) — Barney Williams (3-4). Returning starters — 3. Top players — LB Marche Ellison, 5-9, 180, sr.; DB Jjawcem Green, 5-10, 160, sr.; DB Jonathan Hill, 5-5, 160, soph.

FOSTER BULLDOGS

Coach: Elijah Ruhl, fourth year

2017: 6-4, fifth in 2A SPSL Mountain

Offense: Coordinator — Elijah Ruhl (multiple power). Returning starters — 7. Top players — OL Knaki Moimoi, 6-4, 330, sr.; RB Arthur Tauililli, 5-11, 190, jr.; QB Abel Vazquez, 5-10, 175, sr.

Defense: Coordinator Nick Cairns — (multiple front). Returning starters — 6 . Top players — DL Knaki Moimoi, 6-4, 330, sr.; LB Zachary Noa, 5-10, 220, sr.; DB Josh Saolu, 5-10, 160, soph.

FRANKLIN PIERCE CARDINALS

Coach: Trevor Hanson, first year

2017: 6-5, 2A SPSL Mountain runner-up, lost in first round of state playoffs

Offense: Coordinator (set) — Dave McEachern (spread). Returning starters — 3. Top players — RB Christian Barnes, 5-9, 170, sr.; OL Teagun Lawrence, 6-3, 235, jr.; OL Avery Panelo, 5-11, 220, jr.; WR Dylan Pratt, 6-0, 170, jr.; QB Claudell Quinland, 6-1, 195, jr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) — Andy Armstrong (multiple). Returning starters — 2. Top players — LB Toney Brown, 6-1, 215, sr.; DL Abraham Konan, 6-2, 170, sr.; DB Daylon Lambert, 6-0, 160, jr.; DL Masum Real, 6-0, 245, jr.; DB Aaron Swain, 5-11, 160, jr.

LINDBERGH EAGLES

Coach: Danny Thompson, first year

2017: 1-7, eighth in 2A SPSL Mountain

RENTON INDIANS

Coach: Gustavus Lawlar, first year

2017: 2-8, seventh in 2A SPSL Sound

Offense: Coordinator (set) — Irvin Stevenson (multiple). Returning starters — 0. Top players — TE Siaosi Finau, 6-4, 235, soph.; QB Terrance Meneese, 5-11, 175, jr.; WR DeShon Robertson, 6-2, 190, soph.; OL Jordan Rogers, 6-2, 275, sr.; OL Zack Schmeichel, 6-3, 280, soph.; RB Etena Tupailangi, 6-0, 240, jr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) — Gustavus Lawlar (multiple). Returning starters — 0. Top players — DB Joshua Baccay, 5-8, 160, jr.; DL Siaosi Finau, 6-4, 235, soph.; LB Terrance Meneese, 5-11, 175, jr.; DB DeShon Robertson, 6-2, 190, soph.; DL Jordan Rogers, 6-2, 275, sr.; DL Zack Schmeichel, 6-3, 280, soph.; LB Etena Tupailangi, 6-0, 240, jr.

WASHINGTON PATRIOTS

Coach: Mike Von Rueden, 10th year

2017: 5-4, fourth in 2A SPSL Mountain, lost in district playoffs

Offense: Coordinator (set) — Eric Stanczyk (multiple). Returning starters — 6. Top players — RB Kobe Andrews, 5-11, 195, sr.; RB Josh Camacho, 5-5, 145, sr.; RB Braxton Seiach, 6-1, 180, sr.; OL Sailiata Vasega, 6-0, 300, sr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) — Tom Hoghaug (30 flex). Returning starters — 6. Top players — LB Kobe Andrews, 5-11, 195, sr.; DB Jaylin Moate, sr.; LB J.J. Niamoa, 6-1, 240, jr.; DB Braxton Seiach, 6-1, 180, sr.

WHITE RIVER HORNETS

Coach: Jeff Zenisek, third year

2017: 5-4, third in 2A SPSL Mountain, lost in district playoffs

Offense: Coordinator (set) — Jake Nelson (spread). Returning starters — 4. Top players — OL Jaysen Jorgensen, 5-11, 260, sr.; RB Cade Roehr, 5-10, 180, jr.; WR Jacob Selander, 6-2, 190, sr.; WR Hunter Smith, 5-5, 150, jr.; QB T.J. Strochein, 6-2, 175, jr.; OL Dylan Timlick, 5-10, 215, sr.

Defense: Coordinator (set) — Kenny Pirone (4-2-5). Returning starters — 3. Top players — LB Jack Ervien, 5-10, 180, sr.; DB Jacob Selander, 6-2, 190, sr.; DB Hunter Smith, 5-5, 150, jr.