EAST BREMERTON — After missing out on the playoffs last year during a rebuilding season, the Trojans are hoping to take that next step forward back to the postseason with a more experienced group.
In 2017, Olympic’s strong junior class saw plenty of time on the field in an up-and-down year. The Trojans closed the season with a 59-13 thrashing of Port Angeles and also took home victories against Kingston, Bainbridge and North Mason, but took its share of lumps in losses to Central Kitsap, North Kitsap, Bremerton and Sequim.
These older, more mature Trojans are loaded with talent at key positions. It’s now a question of whether they can execute on the field and fulfill their potential.
“They’re young, and they still have to prove a lot,” head coach Sal Quitevis said, “but we’re hoping for a good few weeks of practice before we hit that first game.”
Quitevis has long been a run-first coach, and he has plenty of options at running back. Junior Cameron Bailey is a big, bruising back, while Darelle White and Malcolm Dewalt provide plenty of speed on the edges. Dewalt averaged 10.4 yards per carry last season and rushed for 498 yards and seven touchdowns. White rushed for 406 yards and averaged 9.7 yards per carry.
But with quarterback Zeke Gillick, a junior with a strong arm, now entering his second season as the starter, Quitevis will certainly be able to throw the ball down the field when he wants to. White was a top receiving threat last year, averaging 23 yards per catch. Both he and Dewalt are capable receiving threats along with junior Adam Johnson, a top 2A sprinter, who tied for the team lead last year with four receiving touchdowns off 26 receptions.
“Obviously we still want to run the ball. That’s what I’ve always done,” Quitevis said. “We live by that. You have to be able to run the ball to open up the pass game; but having that type of skill set, it does give us options. We can also pass to open up the run. Hopefully, the experience they got will help open things up.”
All the speed and skill in the world won’t translate into offensive success without a capable offensive line protecting the quarterback and opening up running lanes. Fortunately, Olympic has experience returning at that position in Jonah Maatouk, Calvin Grant, Charley Tupai and Bruce Laulu.
On the defensive side, White was an all-league defensive back last year and he’s joined by Dewalt and another junior, Taylor Andrews, a second-team all-league pick. Junior Clayton Talarico will lead the linebacking corps — he was second on the team last year with 57 total tackles, including seven tackles for a loss.
“Barring any injuries, I think we have the pieces,” Quitevis said. “Executing as a group will be the big thing.”
— Mark Krulish is a reporter for Kitsap News Group. He can be reached at mkrulish@soundpublishing.com.
