Washington Patriots: 2019 Washington high school 2A football preview
Here's an inside look at the 2A Washington Patriots.
Links: Washington team page | 2019 schedule | Roster
2018 IN REVIEW
6-5 in 2A SPSL Sound (second place); lost to Hockinson in 2A first round
COACHING RESUME
Mike Von Rueden, 11th season
45-56 record
RETURNING STARTERS
Offense - 2. Defense - 5.
TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS
OL Nathan Fain, 5-11, 230, sr.
TE D.J. Fryar, 6-3, 190, jr.
OL Isiah Kaikala, 5-10, 245, sr.
RB Jordan Sawyer, 5-10, 175, so.
WR Dennis Yevchev, 5-11, 165, sr.
TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS
DB Dayton Crawford, 5-10, 160, sr.
DL Keion Lopez, 6-2, 260, sr.
DL Mathew Mika, 6-2, 365, jr.
LB Kalem Palaita, 5-8, 225, so.
DB Dennis Yevchev, 5-11, 165, sr.
THREE TO SEE
D.J. Fryar, tight end
If defenses give Yevchev extra attention, he’ll make big catches
Mathew Mika, defensive lineman
There might not be a bigger nose guard in the state than this fireplug
Dennis Yevchev, defensive back
Smallish free safety dissects everything an offense is trying to do
OUTLOOK
Don’t look now, but after a 26-year absence from the state playoffs, the Patriots have reached the first round of the tournament in two of the past three seasons.
And because of their success, they’ve replaced Franklin Pierce in the top division of the 2A SPSL.
Washington did lose co-2A SPSL defensive player of the year J.J. Niuamoa, who transferred to Lakes this summer. Still, the Patriots should be stout in the middle with Mika (nose guard), Palaita (inside linebacker) and Yevchev (free safety).
What remains to be seen is how the Patriots will replace graduated workhorse running back Josh Camacho, the school’s all-time leading rusher. Coach Von Rueden plans on trying out two sophomores -- Sawyer and Zavier Nixon.
Sept 6: at Sequim, 7 p.m.
Sept. 13: Franklin Pierce, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20: Highline, 7 p.m.
Sept. 27: at Eatonville, 7 p.m.
Oct. 4: Fife, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11: at Steilacoom, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17: at River Ridge, 7 p.m.
Oct. 24: at Clover Park, 7 p.m.