| 29 August 2010
1. O'Dea
2. Seattle Prep
3. Bainbridge
4. Eastside Catholic
5. Bishop Blanchet
Metro Sound predictions:
1. Nathan Hale
2. West Seattle
3. Rainier Beach
4. Franklin
5. Chief Sealth
6. Ingraham
7. Cleveland
No team is going to touch O'Dea, they are too loaded on both sides of the football and should take care of each team in the league. Seattle Prep, Bainbridge, and Eastside Catholic will all be fighting for the second place spot that would guarantee them a spot in the district playoffs.
I'm going with Prep to come out on top because of their returning leader in Nick Holt on both defense and on offense. Eastside Catholic definitely has the biggest chip on its shoulder going into the season, and until they can prove that they are better than Prep, I am comfortable with having them finishing second to last. The league is not as strong again as previous years, but O'Dea will represent the league well in the post season.
I don't know too much about the Metro Sound, so my predictions are somewhat of a shot in the dark. Nathan Hale/West Seattle/Rainier Beach have proven themselves to be a cut above the rest of the league these past few years.
Check out our All-Metro Mountain Pre-Season team after the jump!
All-Metro Mountain Pre-Season Team
Offense:
Player of the Year: RB Keenan Forch, Sr., O'Dea
QB- Nick Holt, Sr., Seattle Prep
RB- Keenan Forch, Sr., O'Dea
RB- Chevelle Walker, Jr., Eastside Catholic
WR- Chris Bell, Jr., Bainbridge
WR- Ryan Wheatley, Sr., Seattle Prep
WR- Darius Sime, Sr., O'Dea
TE- Devante Curry, Jr., O'Dea
OL- Alec Grimm, Sr., Bainbridge
OL Logan Dietrich, Jr., Bainbridge
OL- Michael Hardy, Sr., Seattle Prep
OL- Colin Timm, Sr., Eastside Catholic
OL- Sam Flor, Jr., O'Dea
K- Sean Grady, Sr., Seattle Prep
Defense:
Player of the Year: LB Nick Holt, Sr., Seattle Prep
DL- Nikolao Manu, Jr., O'Dea
DL- Sir Thomas Jackson, Jr., O'Dea
DL- Devante Curry, Jr., O'Dea
LB- Connor Lane, Jr., O'Dea
LB- Nick Holt, Sr., Seattle Prep
LB- Rob Granfelt, Sr., Eastside Catholic
LB- Jayshawn Jordan, Jr., O'Dea
DB- Jake Springfield, Jr., Eastside Catholic
DB- Brady Flies, Sr., Bishop Blanchet
DB- Kevin Miller, Sr., O'Dea
DB- Joe Bosch, Sr., Seattle Prep
P- Sean Grady, Sr., Seattle Prep
Here are some notes on other teams around the State:
3A
Kennedy Catholic
Darian Brooks (Sr.) is one of the best running backs in the state, he'll help this team go far. This team looks to have the right depth of players to push further in the playoffs. They will take the Seamount title easily, and I think they'll make the quarterfinals of the state tournament this year.
Bellevue (State Champion Pick)
You'd be crazy not to name Bellevue the perennial favorites to win the state championship going into this season. Coach Butch Goncharoff has led his team to seven state championship wins in the last ten years. No other team has the amount of talent that Bellevue has, it's that simple. Fans will be treated to an early season match-up against Skyline that pits arguably the two best football programs in the state against each other. The Wolverines will also be welcoming in O'Dea transfer, Tyler Hasty (Jr.), the brother of former Bellevue stand-out J.R. Hasty.
Lakes
Although the Lancers lose a lot to graduation, the players returning are solid. OT Zach Banner (Sr.) is one of the best at his position in the state. Other players to watch out for include QB Cedric Dozier (Jr.) and DL Eddie Releford (Sr.). Capital will be the best competition in the regular season that they'll have to face.
Liberty
The Liberty Patriots could find themselves deep into the state playoffs again led by senior stand-outs Trey Wheeler (QB) and Chandler Jenkins (RB). The trenches is a big concern on both sides of the football for the Patriots, but with so many athletes at skill positions, this team will be able to go far.
Juanita
Along with Bellevue and Liberty, Juanita will be a factor in the KingCo league this year. Rumor has it that there are two high profile-recruits from Marysville-Pilchuck transferring in to play football for the Rebels. They are a real sleeper in my opinion, don't be surprised if they find themselves in the playoffs.
4A
Bothell
All-KingCo running back Luke Proulx (Sr.) will be returning for Bothell along with big defensive lineman Dallas Gosselin (Sr.). Braden Foley (Sr.) will step in as quarterback with the departure of All-KingCo performer, Mitchell Muller. There are reports from the team that Foley is greatly improved and should be able to produce right away. Bothell's big game comes against out-of-state opponent, Mission Viejo at the Emerald City Kickoff classic at Qwest Field.
Skyline (State Champion Pick)
Any team that loses the number one quarterback recruit in the nation will suffer a little bit, but with perhaps the best playmaker in the nation returning in Kasen Williams (Sr.), the Spartans look primed for their fourth straight state championship run. Max Brown (So.) will be replacing Jake Heaps at quarterback and the Spartans will be airing it out even more. Don't be surprised if this combination ends up giving Kasen some All-American consideration.
Auburn
Danny Shelton (Sr.) is an absolute beast and currently has multiple scholarship offers on the table including ones from UW, Oregon, and California. Also returning for Auburn are the returning offensive backs of the year in SPSL North, Austin Embody (Sr.) and Alpohnse Wade (Sr.).
Union
This school as quickly risen to the top as one of the best programs the state has to offer. They will get a premier match up against Bellevue in the Emerald City Kickoff Classic. Even though they move up to 4A this year, the Titans should have no trouble advancing deep into the playoffs.
Curtis
Rahmel Dockery (Sr.) is another high profile recruit to watch out for in the State. He is a dual threat at Wide Receiver and Special Teams. The offensive line also returns offensive lineman, Cornelius Edison (Sr.), a first team All-SPSL South selection.
Gonzaga Prep
This team contains two four-star recruits that will help this team go deep into the 4A playoffs this year. Making it to the semi-finals is a real possibility for the Bullpups. Bishop Sankey (Sr.) will be their main offensive weapon at running back, while Charlie Hopkins (Sr.) will lead a stout defense at the DE position.
Resources:
Mason Kelley's Seattle Times High School Blog
Ron Siegel's preseason Senior All-State Team
