No. 4 Zillah Leopards: 2019 Washington high school 1A football preview

By WILL HOLLAND Zillah is ranked No. 4 in Scorebook Live Washington’s preseason 1A football Top 10. Here’s an inside look at the 2019 Leopards. Links: Zillah

By WILL HOLLAND

Zillah is ranked No. 4 in Scorebook Live Washington’s preseason 1A football Top 10. Here’s an inside look at the 2019 Leopards.

Links: Zillah team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

10-1 overall record, 6-0 in 1A SCAC - West; lost to Newport in the state quarterfinals, 7-6.

COACHING RESUME

Head coach: Ron Rood, third season.

Overall record: 19-4

Coordinators: Ron Rood (OC).

Base schemes: Triple option offense, 4-3 defense

RETURNING 

Offense - 5. Defense - 7.

TOP RETURNERS

QB Claysen Delp, 6-1, 175, So.

RB/DB Wes Avila, 5-11, 150, Sr.

WR/DB/P Sebastian Godina, 6-3, 185, Sr.

LB Braydon Flood, 5-10, 175, So.

OL/DL Tristan DeOchoa, 5-9, 180, Sr.

THREE TO SEE

QB Claysen Delp, 6-1, 175, So.

As a freshman last season, Delp handled the challenge well in his first year at the high school level. He’ll be an important piece for the offense. 

RB/DB Wes Avila, 5-11, 150, Sr.

Avila received all-league first team defensive back honors last season as a corner. He started on offense as well as one of the many backs used in Rood’s double-wing offense, and emerged during the season as a reliable offensive weapon with his speed and ability to find holes. 

WR/DB/P Sebastian Godina, 6-3, 185, Sr.

The versatile Godina received all-league honors at all of his positions last year. He creates a strong duo with Avila in the secondary.

OUTLOOK

Zillah enters the 2019 season coming off of a state-quarterfinal run where their luck ran out against state runner-up Newport. Zillah hasn’t advanced past that round since its run to the state championship in 2003, but have been dominant in league play, winning the last seven straight league titles. They had some pretty good competition in the SCAC West last year, as second place finisher La Salle had some of the best talent in the state. Coach Ron Rood steps into his third year at Zillah having had an illustrious career up to this point. He coached at Concrete, a perennial playoff team, for over 30 seasons and won the state title in his first year. He’ll have a lot to work with this year, as the Leopards return multiple all-league selections from 2018. The offensive line loses two first team all-league selections and only returns one starter, and the defensive line loses those same two guys who were co-defensive players of the year in league. We’ll see how far this team can go in response to some big losses and a formidable league opponent in La Salle this season. 

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept. 6, 7 p.m.: Quincy

Sept. 13, 7 p.m.: Ellensburg

Sept. 20, 7 p.m.: at Naches Valley

Sept. 27, 7 p.m.: Goldendale

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

Oct. 11, 7 p.m: Granger

Oct. 18, 7 p.m.: at La Salle

Oct. 25, 7 p.m.: Toppenish

Nov. 1, 7 p.m.: Cle Elum-Roslyn

*home games in bold