Lake Washington Kangs: 2019 Washington high school 3A football preview

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Lake Washington Kangs football team. Links: Lake Washington team page | 2019 schedule | Roster 2018 IN REVIEW Finished 4-7

Andy Buhler, SBLive Sports | Aug 29, 2019

Lake Washington Kangs: 2019 Washington high school 3A football preview /

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Lake Washington Kangs football team.

Links: Lake Washington team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

Finished 4-7 overall, 3-2 in the 2A/3A KingCo League (third place); lost to Eastside Catholic in the first round of the 3A state playoffs, 42-12.

COACHING RESUME

Andy Arena, third season

11-10 record

Coordinators: Andy Arena (OC); Frank Naish (DC).

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 9. Defense - 5.

TOP OFFENSIVE RETURNERS

OL David Dean, 6-2, 270

RB James Gardner, 6-1, 195

WR Evan Liggett, 6-1, 170

OL Ryan Thomson, 6-3, 250

QB Jakson Voelker, 6-1, 185

TOP DEFENSIVE RETURNERS

DL David Dean, 6-2, 270

OLB James Gardner, 6-1, 195

DB Evan Liggett, 6-1, 170

DL Ryan Thomson, 6-3, 250

THREE TO SEE

Jakson Voelker, quarterback

Second team all-league selection at quarterback as a junior.

James Gardner, running back

Second team all-league selection as a junior.

Evan Liggett, receiver/corner

All-league selection on defense as a junior.

OUTLOOK

Last year, Lake Washington notched its first postseason win since 2003. The Kangs are showing no signs of slowing.

With nine starters on offense returning and a large senior class rounding out the roster, highlighted by senior quarterback Jakson Voelker and running back James Gardner, the Kangs could — and believe they can — challenge the likes of Bellevue and Liberty atop the 2A/3A KingCo League standings.

That belief will be tested early with a tough week one matchup against Steilacoom, one of the top teams in 2A heading into the season.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept. 6, 7 p.m.: Steilacoom

Sept. 13, 7 p.m.: at Eastlake

Sept. 20, 7 p.m.: Redmond

Sept. 27, 7 p.m.: Marysville-Pilchuck

Oct. 4, 7 p.m.: at Bellevue

Oct. 11, 7 p.m.: Liberty

Oct. 18, 7 p.m.: at Mercer Island

Oct. 25, 7 p.m.: Interlake

Nov. 1, 7 p.m.: at Juanita

*home games in bold

Published Aug 29, 2019

ANDY BUHLER, SBLIVE SPORTS

Andy Buhler is a Regional Editor of Texas and the national breaking news desk. He brings more than five years of experience covering high school sports across the state of Washington and beyond, where he covered the likes of Paolo Banchero and Tari Eason served on state tournament seeding committees. He works on the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national boys basketball rankings. He has covered everything from the Final Four, MLS in Atlanta to local velodrome before diving into the world of preps. His bylines can be found in The News Tribune (Tacoma, Washington), The Associated Press, The Columbian (Vancouver, Washington), The Oregonian and more. He holds a degree from Gonzaga and is based out of Portland, Oregon.