V Games: With Bob Akamian/Taylor Barton (Comcast/Xfinity)
Streaming Live: OR games stream at OSAA.TV and playonsports.com
WA games stream on wiaanetwork.com and playonsports.com
#3 BOTHELL (6-4 2011′) VS #1 SKYLINE (11-3 2011′)
QB-
Ross Bowers 6-2 175 So.
Ross Bowers is one of the top sophomore QB’s in the United States of America and will now get his shot to lead a ridiculously talented Bothell squad. As we have said time and time again Bowers has that very rare ” it” factor and could potentially be Washington’s next Max Browne. The only time I would ever give an opposing QB the advantage against Bowers is when it just so happens to be the nation’s #1 Sr QB in Browne, headed to USC. It just so happens Taylor Barton is Browne’s life long trainer, and Bowers is now what TB calls ” A potential All American” when training him.
RB
Darrin Laufasa 6-2 225 Sr.
Danny Wilson 6-0 185 Sr.
Kizhan Proctor 5-8 165 Sr.
Sam McPherson 5-10 180 So.
You will not find a more talented and deep cast of RB’s in the state as there are legitimately 4 high level starters at the position. They are one team that should not ever be effected by injury. Laufasa is committed to BYU, and Wilson was a second team all league back last season and looked phenomenal at our elite events. Proctor had a very good 2011 campaign, and McPherson is one of the top sophomore athletes in the state..Wow!
TE
Jeremy Ruef 6-2 230 Sr.
Peter Fisherkeller 6-4 220 Jr.
Cole Ford 6-4 210 So.
They are equally talented and deep at TE as all three of these kids can play ball. Ruef was a standout D lineman on the camp circuit during the off season that can also catch. Both Fisherkeller and Ford have legit size and are two of the top athletes in their own class.
WR
Aaron Wilks 6-5 200 Sr.
Jared Berry 5-9 165 Sr.
Derek Pedersen 6-2 185 Sr.
Wilks is a kid that we really like. He is an outstanding multi sport athlete that was part of NEI-North that traveled with us to Vegas for the national 7 on 7 tournament. Berry returns after a successful 2011 campaign, and Pedersen had a very impressive camp season and can be used on either side of the ball.
OL
Chase Madsen 6-4 280 Sr.
Nick Ombrellaro 6-3 270 Sr.
Dylan Lindsey 6-4 295 Sr.
Tyler Roberts 5-11 225 Sr.
Its incredible how deep these guys are on both sides of the football. On paper Bothell is the most talented team in the state lead by their line. Three all league returners are back to lead one of the most experienced up front casts in the region. Madsen was a legit 1st team all league kid as a junior and is a D1 prospect.. Both Lindsey and Ombrellaro were second team all league kids with awesome size and strength.
DL
Aaron Wilks 6-5 200 Sr.
Andrey Golubovich 6-3 265 Jr.
Jeremy Ruef 6-2 230 Sr.
Peter Fisherkeller 6-4 220 Jr.
Cole Ford 6-4 210 So.
Tristen Bartsch 5-11 250 Sr.
Both Wilks and Golubovich were second team all league lineman a season ago. Golubovich is one of the best junior lineman in the state, and Wilks is an outstanding athlete that just creates problems for less athletic lineman. Ruef is a kid we are expecting big things from coming off the edge. Once again a just a very deep group.
LB
Darrin Laufasa 6-2 225 Sr.
Camden McLeod 6-1 200 Sr.
Shawn Munro 6-1 195 So.
Laufasa is one of the top players in the entire region, after making the transfer from Juanita last season. If he can remain healthy he is a game changer that should do well at BYU. McLeod brings back a ton of experience and looked good at camps, and Munro is one of the top young LB’s in Washington.
DB
Reshon Watson 5-10 175 Sr.
Danny Wilson 6-0 185 Sr.
Sam Mcpherson 5-10 175 So.
Derek Pedersen 6-2 185 Sr.
A very talented and smart group that is lead by 2nd team all league returning CB Reshon Watson who was one of our top players on NEI-North while in Las Vegas. Wilson will be key in the secondary as will Pedersen, and McPherson is a name you will hear for years to come. His dunking ability speaks for itself.
SKYLINE-
QB
Max Browne 6-5 200 Sr.
What else can you say? He is the #1 QB in the country, headed to USC and someone TB says has every intangible you could ask for in a Quarterback. Outstanding kid that is hands down one of the most special HS players to ever come through the NW..4000+ Yards, 45 Tds/ 7 ints + State title in 2011.
RB
Jack Valencia 6-1 190 Sr.
Had an impressive junior season behind Damian Greene where he saw a healthy amount of carries 66 rushes, 267 yards, and 4 Tds last season.. Good size athletic kid.
WR
Nick Sblendorio 6-0 190 Sr.
Trevor Barney 5-9 175 Sr.
Matt Sinatro 5-11 180 Sr.
Andrew Giese 6-2 190 Sr.
Chase Premone 5-6 160 Sr.
Sam Mix 6-0 175 Jr.
Grant Evans 5-11 170 Jr.
TB and I would both say that talent wise Sblendorio is the best WR in Washington. He has a D1aa offer from N.Colorado, but will have more D1’s before its over. He is just an assassin on the field and someone that is better then 95% of DB’s 40 rec/522 yds/ 10 total Tds.. Barney is hands down the best small receiver in the NW, but will miss the first game of the season. Sinatro is a baseball guy first, but a very good football player and had a very good junior season himself 39 rec/544 yds/ 4 Tds. You can expect Giese 31 rec/429 yds/ 3Tds to basically be the best 4th receiver ever.
TE
Isaiah Richmond 6-6 240 Sr.
Richmond’s upside is through the roof, as he has been a basketball kid that has recently found success on the football field. He is all of 6-6 and very athletic…With continued work, he could be very good
OL
Eric Wagner 6-3 215 Sr.
Nick Strazis 6-3 220 Sr.
Neal Henderson 6-5 255 Sr.
The Skyline line always does a good job regardless if they have big names or not. They have some of the best coaching anywhere in the Pacific NW and are able to give Max sufficient time to do his thing. Its not there strong point, but its still better then most.
DL
Sean McAlhaney 6-1 230 Sr.
Josh Wright 6-2 215 Sr.
Nick Strazis 6-3 220 Sr.
Eric Wagner 6-3 215 Sr.
Isaiah Richmond 6-6 240 Sr.
McAlhaney (15 total tackles) had a very impressive off season on the camp circuit. He’s not the biggest kid in the world but he has a non stop motor and creates problems for offensive lines. Wright (28 t tackles) has the most experience of the group, while Strazis and Wagner both got time last season as well. Richmond is a kid big enough to have a monster season from his D end spot if he can get comfortable, doesn’t have a ton of experience but he could be very good.
LB
Devin Benford 6-4 220 Sr.
Peyton Pelluer 6-2 235 Sr.
Brandon Crandall 6-0 190 Sr.
Peter Stromgren 5-11 200 Sr.
Drew Lunde 6-1 185 Jr.
The Skyline LB’s are nasty lead by Washington St commit Pelluer who is one of the region’s best..He accounted for 122 total tackles and earned Defensive Player of the year honors in the conference. Devin Benford is another very talented kid that has a Wyoming offer and a huge upside, but will unfortunately miss the game as well. Stromgren had a big junior campaign racking up 73 total tackles, and Crandall has looked very good all off season after making 24 total tackles in 2011. Both kids will have to pick up the slack with the loss of Benford.
DB
Nick Sblendorio 6-0 190 Sr.
Jack Valencia 6-1 190 Sr.
Matt Sinatro 5-11 180 Sr.
Trevor Barney 5-9 175 Sr.
Sblendorio is a super talented overall athlete and can read routes better then most making him a very effective DB (37 Tackles, 3 Ints) . You can also expect Valencia to be one of the better Safeties state wide after making 41 tackles with an INT in 2011. Barney will be missed
ADVANTAGE
QB- Skyline ( This could be the only time in my life I dont have Bowers with the Advantage)
RB- Bothell
WR- Skyline
TE- Even
OL- Bothell
DL- Bothell
LB- Even
DB- Bothell- Slight
These two teams could very well meet multiple times this season if things line up right. I can’t think of a game in the state of Washington that I would rather watch. Bothell has the advantage by position, but Skyline has the ” Im going to beat you no matter what” mentality and they can back it up all day long.
Both schools are class programs, and Max Browne is the epitome of a kid that just knows how to win. He can make up for team disadvantages by himself which is something that very few people can do. Watching the country’s top senior QB, and what could be one of america’s top sophomore Quarterback’s in Ross Bowers is a treat no matter how you look at it.
On paper Bothell looks like the best team in the state, but that doesn’t mean anything in the end. The goal for the Cougars will be to keep Browne off the field with sustained drives that wear down a defense. Bothell has the line and the backs to do this so if they can play mistake free football and limit turnovers.
I can’t get myself to take the Cougars in victory, but I would not be surprised the least. Nic Sblendorio is the most under recruited receiver in the NW and will have a record breaking senior year, while Peyton Pelluer is one of the best kids and LB’s you are ever going to meet. This nucleus alone make them the most dangerous team in Washington. That said Bothell is super legit, and I don’t care how much experience Bowers has.. The kids the real deal
PREDICTION- Skyline 31 Bothell 29