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 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