Shadle Park Highlanders: 2019 Washington high school 3A football preview

Here is an inside look at the Shadle Park Highlanders 2019 football team. LINKS: Shadle Park home page | 2019 schedule | Roster 2018 IN REVIEW 4-6 overall, 3-3

Here is an inside look at the Shadle Park Highlanders 2019 football team.

LINKS: Shadle Park home page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

4-6 overall, 3-3 in 3A Greater Spokane League (fourth place overall, second place in 3A); lost to Kamiakin in the week 10 district crossover, 55-13.

COACHING RESUME

Jim Mace, sixth season

24-28 record

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 8. Defense - 6.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

QB Ryan Schmidt 6-4, 170, jr.

WR Xavier Atkins 6-3, 175, sr.

RB Logan Doyle 5-11, 185, jr.

OL Lucas Fiechtner 5-11, 240, sr.

OL Zach Krotzer 6-2, 230, sr.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

DB Ryan Schmidt 6-4, 170, jr.

DB Xavier Atkins 6-3, 175, sr.

LB Logan Doyle 5-11, 185, jr.

DL Lucas Fiechtner 5-11, 240, sr.

DL Zach Krotzer 6-2, 230, sr.

DB Shamus Kennedy sr.

THREE TO SEE

Ryan Schmidt, quarterback

Versatile athlete. Standout receiver last season as a sophomore will transition to quarterback. All-league honorable mention defensive back as a sophomore.

Xavier Atkins, wide receiver/defensive back 

Possesses high-level speed and reliable ball skills on both offense and defense. 

Zach Krotzer, lineman

All-league selection on the defensive line. Logged 15 tackles for loss as a junior.

OUTLOOK

In 2013, Shadle Park won its first league title in 14 years, and each year since then, the Highlanders have been edged out by Mt. Spokane. 

This year, Shadle appeared braced for the same battle atop the 3A Greater Spokane League standings. Four-year starting quarterback and first team all-league selection Carson Doyle will be replaced by Ryan Schmidt, a standout defensive back and wideout last season. And the 6-foot-4 junior will have weapons around him, like wideout Xavier Atkins and running back Logan Doyle, but the Highlanders’ strength will be its defense. 

“We expect to make some youth mistakes early,” head coach Jim Mace said, “but feel we have the talent to be more explosive this year.”

Six starters return on the defensive end, all key contributors, headlined by linemen Lucas Fiechtner and Zach Krotzer, both all-league selections. Shadle Park nabbed a win against league opponent Mt. Spokane last season. Can the Highlanders do it again?

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept 6: at Lewiston (Idaho), 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: West Valley (Spokane), 4:45 p.m.

Sept. 20: Cheney, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 27: at Gonzaga Prep, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: at Ferris, 5 p.m.

Oct. 11: at Lewis and Clark, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18: at North Central, 5 p.m.

Oct. 25: at Rogers (Spokane), 5 p.m.

Nov. 1: Mt. Spokane, 7:30 p.m.

*home games in bold