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);

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.

2019 SCHEDULE

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.