Kamiak Knights: 2019 Washington high school 4A football preview

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Kamiak Knights football team. Links: Kamiak team page | 2019 schedule | Roster 2018 IN REVIEW 1-8 in 4A Wesco (seventh

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Kamiak Knights football team.

Links: Kamiak team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

1-8 in 4A Wesco (seventh place)

COACHING RESUME

Bryant Thomas, second season

2-8 record

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 7. Defense - 9.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

WR Wesley Garrett, 6-0, 170, so.

QB Nick Laman, 6-2, 175, jr.

RB/TE Nolan Martin, 6-1, 190, so.

WR Syrus Vanetta, 5-10, 160, jr.

OL Cayden Wotipka, 6-3, 240, so.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

DB Damon Crouse, 6-1, 180, jr.

DL Mark Holcomb, 6-3, 250, so.

DB Dylan James, 5-10, 160, so.

DB Jacob Sung, 6-2, 190, jr.

LB Jonak Valera, 5-10, 196, jr.

THREE TO SEE

Wesley Garrett, wide receiver

He’s burst on scene in a big way this summer, and will be offense’s go-to playmaker

Dylan James, defensive back

It will be his debut on defensive side, and he’s shown shutdown cornerback ability

Syrus Vanetta, wide receiver

More experienced in baseball, he will occupy starting slot job to utilize quickness inside

OUTLOOK

There were times in Thomas’ five seasons at Auburn Riverside that his teams would score 10 touchdowns in a span of a couple of games.

But last season, that is the total an overwhelmed Kamiak offense posted in his first year.

Part of that was by design: Thomas knows his small, underclassmen-heavy group (he started nine ninth graders) would not match up physically with the rest of the 4A Wesco, so he employed a triple-option offense to limit opponents’ possessions.

Winning games will still be tough -- even Thomas admits the team is a year away from mid-league consideration -- especially with just two seniors on the roster for 2019. But at least the Knights are getting better athletes out, led by Garrett, Vanetta and Martin.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept. 6: at Blanchet, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: at North Kitsap, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: at Mariner, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: Glacier Peak, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: Lake Stevens, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11: at Cascade of Everett, 8 p.m.

Oct. 18: Monroe, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25: at Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.

Nov. 1: Jackson, 7 p.m.