KingCo 3A team capsules

Bellevue Wolverines

Location: Bellevue Coach: Butch Goncharoff (8th year), 80-7 record

2006: 14-0 overall, 8-0 league

Returning starters (1 offense, 2 defense): RB Ladell Carroll, 5-9, 190, Sr.; OL David DeCastro, 6-5, 290, Sr.; LB Jack Gervais, 5-11, 210, Sr.

Other key returners: DB Danny Razore, 5-10, 170, Sr.; OL/DL Eddie Mills, 6-3, 220, Sr.; LB Jamal Atofau, 5-11, 185, Jr.

Impact newcomers: LB Riley Bennett, Sr.; DL Taylor Altomare, Sr.; DB Evan Hopkins, Sr.; DB Kubby Martin, Sr.; LB Eric Nelson, Sr.

Outlook: The Wolverines might experience a bit of transition with the graduation of Eric Block, who starred at quarterback and safety and now is at Washington State. But Bellevue has won five state titles since 2001, so anything less than another KingCo 3A title would be a surprise.

Interlake Saints

Location: Bellevue Coach: Sheldon Cross (1st year)

2006: 1-9, 0-8

Returning starters (1 offense, 1 defense): OT David Slingwine, 6-4, 300, Sr.; LB Alan Lampe, 6-0, 230, Sr.

Outlook: Luke Huard left after four seasons as coach to become a graduate assistant at the University of Washington, which means another transition period for Interlake. The Saints lack players (about 30 turned out) and experience.

Issaquah Eagles

Location: Issaquah Coach: Rex Romer (2nd year), 8-3

2006: 8-3, 6-2

Returning starters (8 offense, 7 defense): OL/DT Elliott Kalin, 6-2, 245, Sr.; OL/DL Jared Warren, 6-2, 245, Sr.; WR/DB Jacob Kemmerer, 6-1, 185, Sr.; RB/DB Grant Gellatly, 5-11, 170, So.; WR Josh Nyeholt, 5-11, 165, Sr.; DB Nick Rose, 5-11, 175, Sr.; RB/LB Alex Bates, 6-1, 200, Sr.; OL/DL Jake Rumberger, 6-2, 265, Sr.; QB James King, 6-1, 200, Sr.

Other key returners: TE/DL Curtis Bergman, 6-4, 190, Sr.; TE/DL Sean Stuby, 6-4, 205, Jr.; RB/LB Dustin Talley, 5-11, 185, Jr.; WR/DB Ross Zuhl, 6-0, 180, Jr.; OL/DL Dillon Reagan, 6-3, 275, Jr.

Impact newcomers: DB Ryan Tiernan, 5-10, 160, Jr.; OL/DL Christian Rennie, 6-5, 260, Jr.; RB/LB Nik Landdeck, 6-0, 185, Fr.; RB/DB Kyle Hanson, 6-0, 185, Jr.; WR/DB Brennan Miller, 6-0, 180, Jr.; WR/LB Spencer Rogers, 6-2, 190, So.; OL/DL Greg Finch, 5-10, 215, So.

Outlook: The Eagles love to pass and with former Sammamish coach Chris Bennett running the offense, they will continue to do it. Kemmerer (20 receptions, 318 yards last season) and Nyeholt (11, 238) give King some experienced receivers as the Eagles look to reach state for the third time in five seasons.

Liberty Patriots

Location: Renton Coach: Steve Valach (9th year), 31-47

2006: 4-6, 3-5

Returning starters (7 offense, 10 defense): QB/LB Peter Becker, 6-4, 215, Sr.; DT Brian Ehardt, 6-0, 235, Sr.; LB/OL Robbie Marlow, 6-1, 215, Sr.; DB/WR Justin Whitman, 5-11, 155, Sr.; RB/DT Shane Brown, 6-0, 230, Sr.; LB Jamie Giesman, 5-9, 185, Sr.; DE/OL Bronz Nelson, 5-11, 185, Sr.; LB/WR Chris Freeman, 5-11, 175, Sr.; DB/WR Greg Ericksen, 5-11, 155, Jr.; DB/RB Alec Ernst, 5-8, 160, Jr.; OL/DL Ca Do, 5-9, 250, Jr.; DB/RB Turner Chatterton, 5-10, 160, Jr.; OL/DL Josh Spurgeon, 6-0, 275, Jr.

Other key returners: DE/TE Tyler Phillips, 5-11, 180, Jr.; DL/OL Andrew Nyte, 6-2, 260, Jr.; DL/OL David Thomas, 6-2, 235, Jr.; DB/WR/QB Taylor Hamman, 5-10, 160, Jr.; DB/WR Troy Colyer, 5-10, 150, So.; LB/RB Alex Kaser, 5-9, 165, So.; RB/DB Kyle Ahrens, 5-9, 160, So.

Outlook: The Patriots need someone to replace the graduated Jordan Jenkins, who rushed for 1,024 yards and 10 touchdowns last year. Liberty has enough returning starters to finish in the top half of the league. The Patriots reached the state quarterfinals in 2005 but struggled through an injury-marred season last year.

Mercer Island Islanders

Location: Mercer Island Coach: Bill Heglar (1st year)

2006: 4-6, 2-6

Returning starters (3 offense, 2 defense): WR Tyler Reutimann, 5-10, 155, Sr.; OL/DL Jack Gala, 6-4, 248, Sr.; WB Phillip Seda, 5-11, 157, Sr.; FB/LB Graham Maxwell, 5-11, 194, Sr.; OT Chris Kaestle, 6-2, 243, Jr.

Other key returners: FB Bobby Norton Sr., 5-10, 170, Sr.; TE Chris Pothoven, 6-8, 210, Sr.; QB Thomas Hollowed, 6-1, 163, Sr.; OT/DT Alex Meyerson, 6-2, 205, Sr.; FB/LB Ramsey Coles, 5-11, 174, Jr.

Impact newcomers: DB Sam Bliss, Jr.; WR Brad Idzik, So.; ATH Kurtis Rosengreen, So.

Outlook: Veteran coach Heglar begins his third stint on the Eastside after stops at Interlake (1990-94) and Bellevue (1995-99). This figures to be a difficult season for the Islanders, who graduated star running back Greg Mahony (1,193 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns). The Islanders have little returning experience, but Heglar likes what he sees on defense.

Mount Si Wildcats

Location: Snoqualmie Coach: Charlie Kinnune (16th year), 74-68

2006: 10-2, 7-1

Returning starters (2 offense, 1 defense): OL/K Jeff Chapman, 6-2, 233, Sr.; OG/LB Jake Tweten, 6-0, 195, Sr.

Other key returners: TE/LB Alex Hiebert, Jr.; WR/DB Frank McLaughlin, 6-1, 194, Sr.; QB/LB Tyson Riley, Jr.

Impact newcomers: DB Dallas Lieber, Sr.; WR/LB Colby Robinson, Sr.; RB/DE Aaron Moetului, Jr.; QB/DB Rossco Castagno, So.; TE/DE Lucas Zupum, So.; TE/DE Zach Brevick, Jr.; RB/LB Brandon Smith, Jr.; OL/DL Ryan Dix, Sr.; OT/DL Josh Davis, Sr.; RB/LB Jake Handy, Sr.; RB/LB Ryan Frazier, Jr.

Outlook: Behind Brandon Yakaboski, who rushed for 1,515 yards and 18 TDs and is now a UW freshman, the Wildcats advanced to state for the third time. Returning to the playoffs will be difficult, as the Wildcats must replace starters at many key positions.

Newport Knights

Location: Bellevue Coach: Mike Miller (4th year), 16-14

2006: 6-4, 4-4

Returning starters (9 offense, 9 defense): RB/LB Blake Gibbs, 6-2, 215, Sr.; RB/DB Blake McDonald, 5-11, 170, Sr.; OL/DL Ned Schooler, 5-10, 230, Sr.; QB/DB Bobby Wenger, 5-10, 180, Sr.; OL/DL Jacob Anderson, 6-4, 250, Sr.; RB/DB Collin Bennett, 6-0, 180, Sr.; OL/DL Alex Kairis, 6-2, 210, So.; OL/DL Jake Luwe, 6-2, 200, Jr.; K Curtis Stensland, 5-7, 140, Sr.; WR/DB Case Cooney, 6-4, 175, Sr.

Impact newcomers: OL/LB Jacob Franklin, 5-10, 200, Sr.; RB/LB Steven Erickson, 5-10, 170, Sr.; RB/LB Doug Sames, 5-11, 190, So.; RB/DB Jonté Giacomino, 5-10, 180, Jr.; OL/DL Riley Anderson, 5-11, 230, Sr.; OL/LB Reece Anderson, 6-0, 170, Sr.; RB/DB Arkady Ayrapetov, 5-10, 160, Jr.; QB/DB Johnny Law, 6-0, 160, Jr.; OL/DL Brad Wilgus, 6-4, 245, Sr.; OL/DL Graham Bennett, 6-6, 220, Jr.

Outlook: Newport has another deep stable of RBs, led by Bennett and Gibbs. With a big, experienced line and a veteran quarterback, the Knights could contend for a playoff spot if their defense shows improvement.

Sammamish Totems

Location: Bellevue Coach: Edd Webb (1st year)

2006: 2-8, 1-7

Returning starters (5 offense, 3 defense): QB Patrick Rooney, 6-1, 205, Sr.; OL/DL Randall Louie, 6-0, 215, Jr.; OL/DL Cameron Akana, 6-0, 220, Jr.; OL Trevor Johnson, 6-0, 205, Sr.; WR/DB Billy Mitchell, 5-11, 160, Sr.; WR/DB Chris ChoukDean, 6-2, 175, Sr.; OL/DL Randall Louie, 6-1, 220, Jr.; RB/WR/LB Marcus Giambattista, 5-9, 180, Sr.; RB/DB Aram Ikilykian, 5-5, 175, Sr.

Impact newcomers: DL Raughee Nelson, 5-11, 260, So.; WR/DB Brian Biccum, 5-11, 160, Sr.

Outlook: Webb is Totems' third coach in as many years. He thinks Rooney might be one of the league's top QBs. Player turnout also has increased. Totems struggled to field a varsity team for a few years, but might even have enough for a C team.

Skyline Spartans

Location: Sammamish Coach: Steve Gervais (10th year), 80-22

2006: 6-4, 5-3

Returning starters (6 offense, 6 defense): WR Gino Simone, 6-0, 165, Jr.; WR Phil Tushar, 5-10, 170, Sr.; OT/LB Riley Gervais, 6-2, 210, Sr.; C/DT Nathaniel Willingham, 5-9, 210, Sr.; OT Tom Swanson, 6-6, 285, Sr.; RB Tyler Washburn, 6-0, 225, Sr.; DB Mitch Gottschalk, 5-11, 175, Sr.; DB Cameron Lusuegro, 6-0, 185, Sr.; LB Eric Bige, 5-10, 185, Sr.; S Robby Chavez, 6-1, 200, Sr.

Impact newcomers: OL/DL Rob Tramonte, 6-1, 250, Jr.; OL/DL Brandon Barron, 6-2, 240, Sr.; OL/DL Grant Engel, 5-11, 270, Jr.; WR Andrew Gray, 6-0, 165, Sr.; QB Jake Heaps, 6-1, 185, So.; OL/DL Evan Bull, 6-2, 205, Sr.

Outlook: One of the most creative offensive coaches in Washington, Gervais has the experience to get the Spartans back to state, where they won the 4A title in 2005. Skyline has a veteran offensive line, led by Willingham, and talent at wide receiver with Simone (38 receptions for 549 yards) and Tushar (39, 342). The question is, who takes the reins at quarterback?

Team-by-team reports by Seattle Times freelance reporter Chris Chancellor.