It was an uneven season on the gridiron for the Wolves, who were good enough to advance to the preliminary-round football playoff game in Vancouver against Skyview, but turned the ball a half-dozen times and couldn’t advance further.
But there also was strong individual play during a 6-4 season, which is reflected on the all-Kitsap team.
Six players from South — three on each side of the ball — earned first-team honors. Seniors Brad Fairweather (tight end), Brian Kuznek (offensive line), Jared Moore (defensive back) and T.J. Rhodes (linebacker) were recognized in addition to juniors Nick Boss (defensive line) and Leon La Deaux (wide receiver).
The all-county team, made up of eligible players from schools in Kitsap County, was voted on by the sports editors and writers of the Kitsap News Group, including the Port Orchard Independent, Bremerton Patriot, Central Kitsap Reporter and North Kitsap Herald.
2008 All-Kitsap County
Football Team
Offense
•QB — Jason Simonis, Central Kitsap, senior — The 6-foot-5 Simonis completed 97 of 169 passes for 1,703 yards, 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions this season, which included four playoff games. Simonis is an accurate passer with a strong arm who complemented running back Howie McDonald to make CK a legitimate run-pass threat.
• RB — Larry Dixon, Olympic, junior — Coaches and fans aren’t pondering if he’ll play football at the next level, but rather where he’ll play. Dixon, who is expected to be one of the state’s top recruits in the 2010 class, rushed for 1,840 yards (7.6 per carry) on 242 carries, scoring 14 total touchdowns. He anchored the Trojans’ run-heavy offense to account for more than half the team’s total yards.
• RB — Howie McDonald, Central Kitsap, senior — With the Cougars’ season extended four games by virtue of a deep postseason run, McDonald pushed his rushing total to 1,867 yards, including 22 touchdowns. Rarely is McDonald tackled one-on-one, often times dragging multiple defenders for second-effort yards. He broke out in the state preliminaries against Snohomish for 391 yards and five touchdowns to lead CK to the quarterfinals.
• WR — Taylor Chisholm, North Kitsap, senior — The versatile Chisholm, who played both running back and wide receiver often left defenses bewildered with his aggressive style and crafty footwork. Coach Steve Frease said his enthusiasm and attitude set the tone for a successful season. Chisholm averaged 111 all-purpose yards per game. He rushed the ball 393 yards in 82 attempts for seven touchdowns and received 27 passes for 494 yards and four touchdowns. He’s the Vikes’ second-leading scorer.
• WR — Leon La Deaux, South Kitsap, junior — The Wolves ran the ball 76 percent of the time out of their I-pro offense, but La Deaux is the primary target when they throw. The 6-foot-3 La Deaux, who also is a standout for the basketball and track teams, led the team in receiving yards (415), receptions (26) and touchdowns (five) in 2008.
Coach D.J. Sigurdson, who lettered as a linebacker from 1986-89 at Eastern Washington University, said La Deaux has the ability to play collegiately. “He’s obviously talented enough to do that,” he said. “He definitely has a desire to be a college athlete and he’s done a nice job in the classroom. There’s no doors that will close on him.”
WR — Dimitri Alston, Bremerton, senior — Alston was Bremerton’s leading receiver with 26 receptions, 562 receiving yards (21.6 per catch) and three touchdowns, including a 99-yarder. His big-play capability offered Bremerton’s offense an alternative to the bruising ground game, led by Kyle Kennedy.
TE — Brad Fairweather, South Kitsap, senior — This position essentially serves as a sixth offensive lineman at South Kitsap. Fairweather impressed Sigurdson by not only replacing former standout blocker Matt Foxworthy, who now wrestles at Northern Colorado, but also as a receiver when needed. He finished the season with 70 yards on five receptions. “Brad always played with a whole bunch of intensity,” Sigurdson said. “He got us some first downs in some critical situations.”
OL — A.J. Angle, Bremerton, senior — At 6 feet, 245 pounds, Angle is a bit undersized at the offensive lineman position. But what he lacks in size, he makes up for in intangibles. Coach Nate Gillam said Angle is often overlooked, but is still one of the best linemen in the county. Also a defensive lineman, Angle anchored Bremerton on both sides of the ball.
OL — Conner Cheser, Central Kitsap, junior — The 6-foot-4, 290-pound left tackle was one reason why Howie McDonald rushed for the yards he did. Not only is Cheser a powerful run-blocker, he’s a great pass-blocker, giving Simonis ample time to hit the open receiver.
OL — Brian Kuznek, South Kitsap, senior — The 6-foot-6 Kuznek is a prototypical-sized offensive lineman, but there’s more to his game than girth. Sigurdson noted that Kuznek led the team in “hash marks,” which are rated in several ways on offense, defense and special teams, but roughly are awarded for physical, legal hits. A three-year starter, Kuznek blocked for 1,000-yard rusher Stephen Tucker for two seasons, and helped Sean Allison and Ryan Williams combine for 1,408 yards on the ground this season. “He was our most physical blocker,” Sigurdson said. “He always displays a lot of enthusiasm and intensity.” Kuznek said he’s received recruiting attention from Washington State.w
OL — Alex VanDeen, Kingston, senior — This captain was the Bucs’ most consistent lineman on both sides of the ball and was the top reason the Bucs ran the ball more effectively this season. On defense, he finished with 31 tackles and 16 assists.
OL — Spencer Williams, Central Kitsap, junior — Offensive line coach Lyle Prouse must feel like a kid in a candy store with Williams to compliment Cheser. Williams, who is 5-foot-8, 335 pounds, defies high-school size. The starting left guard gives the Cougars a left side that few defensive lines can handle, establishing one of the more consistent ground attacks in the Narrows League.
K — Zack Sampson, North Kitsap, senior — Sampson scored 69 total points, nailing 39 extra points for 95 percent accuracy. His average punt sailed 38 yards and his average kickoff flew 53.1 yards and averaged six balls inside the 20, usually hitting the end zone. Sampson set North’s record for the longest field goal in school history twice this season, including a 49-yarder.
Coach of the Year — Mark Keel, Central Kitsap — Keel engineered Central Kitsap to a third-place regular season finish in the Narrows League after a sluggish 2-3 start. The Cougars then reeled off three consecutive playoff victories, including upsets of then-No. 3 Olympia and then-No. 9 Rogers, en route to the Class 4A semifinals where they eventually lost against Issaquah, 31-13. The Cougars’ postseason run was the deepest of any CK team since 1973.
Defense
DL — Nick Boss, South Kitsap, junior — Sigurdson tries to avoid starting players on both the offensive and defensive lines to help keep them fresh. Boss was one of the few exceptions. “We try and not do that because it’s a tough double, but he made it impossible for us to keep him off the field,” Sigurdson said. “He’s got really good feet and is physical.”
DL — Brandon Durham, Central Kitsap, senior — The 6-foot-7 Durham, who also starts on CK’s basketball team, is strong, athletic and large. Durham finished the regular season with 30 tackles and two sacks to go with two pass breakups, disrupting opposing offenses with his height and strength.
DL — Josh Byers, North Kitsap, senior — With 40 tackles — 9.5 for loss — to and 3.5 sacks, Byers continually made plays for the Vikes’ defense. Frease praised Byers for his heart, intelligence and attitude.
DB — Andre Moore Jr., Klahowya, senior — Moore posted a team-leading 80 tackles (8.9 per game) and added three interceptions. Also a kick returner, Moore was Klahowya’s most heavily used, most dangerous and most valuable player. With the ball in his hand, Moore simply is electric. He finished the regular season with 1,234 yards rushing, 397 yards receiving and eight touchdowns.
DB — Brett McDonald, Central Kitsap, sophomore — Brett McDonald, who is Howie McDonald’s younger brother, has one of the brightest upsides of any player in the county. With a team-best five interceptions during the regular season — he also had two in the playoffs — to go with 44 tackles, McDonald quickly is emerging as a force on defense. He should assume more responsibility next season with a handful of key defenders graduating in June.
DB — Jared Moore, South Kitsap, senior — Moore arguably was the Wolves’ best defensive back against both the pass and run. The coaching staff often moved him up when the defense played a 4-4 scheme designed to stop the run. “He’s a safety who can read the run and make tackles,” Sigurdson said. “Everyone knows up front that they can be aggressive with him back there.” Moore finished second on the team with 62 tackles and also had an interception.
DB — Alex Smith, North Kitsap, sophomore — One of the Vikings’ best athletes on defense, Smith had 30 tackles, seven assists, three interceptions and batted down 11 balls.
LB — Garrett Brown, Olympic, senior — Brown was the heart and soul of Olympic’s defense, which heavily depended on solid linebacking play, and led the team with 111 tackles and seven sacks. He finished with three interceptions and also spelled Dixon in the backfield on offense, piling up 477 yards and four touchdowns on 69 carries.
LB — Michael Powell, Bremerton, senior — Ewach time Bremerton played solid defense, Powell was a major factor. With 71 tackles and 25 assists, Powell was the Knights’ most active defender. He also added four sacks. Another player who saw action on both sides of the ball, Powell scored five offensive touchdowns.
LB — Richie Meier, Central Kitsap, senior — Meier was CK’s vocal leader on defense. He accumulated 99 tackles — 10 for negative yardage — and forced four fumbles to give the Cougars’ linebacker corps both spirit and physical play.
LB — T.J. Rhodes, South Kitsap, senior — Rhodes replaced the graduated Josh Burlingame at middle linebacker and led the team with 73 tackles. “He’s very crafty about slipping blocks and making the tackle,” Sigurdson said. “He really has the instincts to get to the ball.”
Honorable Mention
RB — Sean Allison, South Kitsap, senior — A powerful runner, Allison shared the position with fellow senior Ryan Williams and led the team with 774 yards and nine touchdowns on 128 carries.
WR/DB — Cameron Anthony, Central Kitsap, senior — Anthony was equally valuable on both sides of the ball. On defense, he contributed 38 tackles and four interceptions to help Brett McDonald prowl the secondary. And offensively, he finished with 23 receptions, 406 receiving yards (17.7 per catch) and four touchdowns.
TE — Ian Brown, Kingston, senior — Brown, a captain, was the Bucs’ leading tackler, with 51 and an additional 29 assists, and three sacks. He also caught 10 passes for a total of 121 yards.
RB/LB — Brad Deshano, senior, North Kitsap — He led the Vikes in tackles with 51 and 11 assists. Deshano also was paramount to the Vikes’ offensive efforts, with 15 touchdowns including the Vikes’ homecoming game-winning overtime touchdown. He rushed the ball more than 900 yards.
LB — Shane Galeski, Olympic, senior — Galeski belonged to a trio of Olympic linebackers who combined for more than 250 tackles on the season. His 82 tackles were third on the team, while his 4.5 sacks were second.
RB — Cody Hertenstein, Klahowya, senior — Hertenstein complemented Moore’s speed with power to rush for 599 yards and four touchdowns.
OL — Jeff Hill, Olympic, senior — Dixon is quick to credit his offensive line and Hill led the Trojans up front. Hill provided the grind-it-out type blocking in the trenches to open holes and give Dixon the space he needed to maneuver into the secondary.
RB/KR — H’Arion Gaulden, Central Kitsap, senior — One of the fastest players on the field, Gaulden did a little of everything for CK. He rushed for 525 yards and seven touchdowns and scored three more touchdowns on special teams, finishing with 540 return yards.
RB — Kyle Kennedy, Bremerton, senior — Coach Nate Gillam threw the ball more so than in previous years, but Kennedy was a workhorse with 801 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
DB — Darrell Newman, Klahowya, senior — Newman seemed to put a hand on every ball thrown his way, often drawing the opponents’ top receiving threat. He notched 43 tackles on the season.
LB — Nollan Quinn, Olympic, senior — Yet another quality linebacker for the Trojans, Quinn was second on the team with 87 tackles and third with two and one-half sacks.
KR — Theo Robinson, Bremerton, senior — Robinson offered the Knights a spark on special teams with 25 kickoff returns for 608 yards (24.3 per return) and two touchdowns. His season-long was a 95-yarder for a touchdown.
LB/DE — Freddy Rodolf, Kingston, sophomore — One of the Bucs’ most productive defensive players with 45 tackles, 25 assists and two sacks, Rodolf played a little defensive end toward the end of the season. He is Kingston’s most physical player.
RB/LB — Travis Schriner, Kingston, junior — Schriner was present in almost all the Bucs’ major offensive and defensive plays. He rushed the ball 788 yards on 161 carries, scoring 60 percent of the Bucs’ touchdowns. He also cranked out 30 tackles, 16 assists and one sack.
QB — Kevin Stringer, North Kitsap, senior — Stringer’s knowledge of the offense allowed him to change plays at the line and take advantage of the defense. Frease said having Stringer was similar to having another coach on the field. He completed 99 passes for 53.2 percent, 1,337 yards and 14 touchdowns. He averaged 133.7 yards passing per game.
TE — Evan Tidball, North Kitsap, senior — Tidball is an outstanding blocker, paving the way for Deshano on the ground. He also posted 20 receptions, two for touchdowns.
WR — Christian Wesley, Central Kitsap, junior — Wesley’s height advantage was too much for many defenders to handle and as a result, he hauled in 24 receptions for 398 yards and six touchdowns, which included the Cougars’ four playoff games.
RB — Ryan Williams, South Kitsap, senior — Williams might be the most explosive player at South. He rushed for 634 yards and four touchdowns on 100 carries. In 2007, he returned three kickoffs for touchdowns.
LB — Dan Zimny, Klahowya, senior — Zimny played both offense and defense, and finished with 61 tackles. Also adding an interception and a sack, Zimny clogged up the middle while containing the opponents backfield.
