A change is taking place on the Kentridge High football field this fall.
And if all goes as planned, it’s going to spark the Chargers into contention for the South Puget Sound League North Division title. Possibly even net the Chargers their first league crown since 2002, when they rolled to an unbeaten 8-0 regular-season record.
Instead of that change taking place on the field, however, it’s happening on the sideline, where longtime coach Marty Osborn is handing over his offensive coordinating duties to assistant Jeff Shumake.
It’s all about putting points on the board, Osborn noted.
“The big switch is me stepping away from the play calling role and allowing my assistance to do that,” said Osborn, who is entering his 21st season at the helm of the program. “Our offense has not been as productive as we would have liked the last couple of years. We want to change that.”
During the last three seasons, Kentridge has ranked seventh (2010), sixth (2009) and fifth (2008) in the SPSL North in scoring. Last year, the Chargers opened the season with 6-foot-6 Caleb Smith at quarterback, but switched to Travis McGuire at mid-season. The end result was a 4-5 overall record, a season in which they averaged a healthy 25.4 points per game in league, but were unable to get past North powers Kentwood, Auburn, Kentlake or Tahoma.
Osborn has tried new offenses in recent years, shifted players around, but little has had the kind of impact that’s going to make a difference in the standings.
A new perspective might be exactly what the doctor ordered, though it took a certain level of trust, Osborn admitted.
“I really trust the guys I handed it off to,” he said. “Ultimately, it’s all about the program being a success. It really is an opportunity for a new creativity offensively. It’s a good opportunity for someone who has a new look on things.”
The new-look Chargers will receive their first test — and a big one at that — at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, when they play at powerhouse Auburn.
Kentridge hasn’t beaten Auburn since 2003, but with a senior-dominated lineup and key players returning across the board, the Chargers expect to challenge the SPSL North heavyweights this fall. Kentridge will follow Auburn up with league-favorite Kentlake on Sept. 9 at French Field.
Starting off with two teams expected to be among the top isn’t a bad thing, Osborn said.
“The positive is that it really helped motivate us during the offseason,” he said. “We definitely had a rallying point.”
Of course, the Chargers have had plenty of rallying points — and optimism — to build upon during the offseason. Part of that optimism stems from how the quarterback situation has simply worked itself out during the offseason. Smith began last year as the quarterback, but gave way at midseason to Travis McGuire. Smith, an Oregon State commit, went on to become an all-league tight end. Meanwhile, McGuire’s quarterbacking duties were short lived as he had to undergo Tommy John surgery in the spring.
As luck would have it, Kentridge quickly found its answer when John Hamilton, a quarterback, along with stepbrother Alex McGuire, a running back, transferred in from Arizona.
Problem solved.
“Two good kids just kind of fell into our laps,” Osborn laughed. “Random luck.”
Both Hamilton and Alex McGuire expect to be big parts of Kentridge’s offense this fall.
“He came out of nowhere and was the answer to our prayers,” linebacker Jeff Seid said about Hamilton.
Yet, as good as the offense has come along thus far, Kentridge’s bread and butter likely will continue to be its defense. The longtime calling card, Kentridge returns five all-league defensive starters: Seid, Jimmie Davis (DB), Justin Cordova (LB), Carl Samoa (DL) and Jake Zylstra (DB). The combination of Davis and Zylstra on the corners could be the best in the league. In addition, along with being one of the league’s elite tight ends, Smith will be playing on the defensive line, where his 6-foot-6, 245-pound frame is certain to cause matchup problems.
“Our motto n defense is hit hard, Gang Green pursuit,” said Seid, who also is a standout wrestler. “We’re not very selfish defensively, we just go to the ball and get pretty pumped out there.”
The addition of Smith to the defensive line should pay big dividends, Osborn.
“We’re counting on him being a pretty big force up front,” the coach said. “The big key, however, is going to be our senior class. We have a talented class. Those kids have really come together.”
KENTRIDGE CHARGERS: AT A GLANCE
• COACH: Marty Osborn, 21st year, 126-75
• LAST YEAR: 4-4 in league (fourth), 4-5 overall
• TYPE OF OFFENSE: Multiple I, Gun
• OFFENSIVE RETURNERS (10): TE Caleb Smith, sr., 6-6/245; FB Jeff Seid, sr., 6-0/195; WR Kaid Tipton, sr., 6-1/171; OL Terry Areta, sr., 6-3/285; WR Reggie Collins, sr., 6-1/180; RB Justin Cordova, sr., 5-9/165; RB Alex McKenzie, sr., 5-7/155; OT Tyler Bailey, jr., 6-4/301; TE Travis McGuire, jr., 6-1/200; OC Andrew Weitzel, sr., 5-11/220.
• TYPE OF DEFENSE: 3-4
• DEFENSIVE RETURNERS (10): DL Caleb Smith, sr., 6-6/245; OLB Jeff Seid, sr., 6-0/195; DB Kaid Tipton, sr., 6-1/171; FS Jimmie Davis, jr., 5-9/165; DB Jake Zylstra, sr., 6-2/185; OLB Reggie Collins, sr., 6-1/180; DB Justin Cordova, sr., 5-9/165; OLB Alec McKenzie, sr., 5-7/155; DL Tyler Bailey, jr., 6-4/301; OLB Travis McGuire, jr., 6-1/200.
• TOP NEWCOMERS: QB/FS John Hamilton, sr., 6-0/195; RB/ILB Alex McGuire, sr., 6-2/195; QB/ILB Michael Suguro, sr., 5-10/193; K/P/WR Daniel Allen, jr., 5-8/140; TE/OLB Austin Berry, jr., 6-1/185; WR/DB Kevin Hall, jr., 6-2/185; WR/DB Nathan Tabisula, sr., 5-7/163; OL/DL Michael Pennington, jr., 5-10/218; OL/ILB Riley Poulson, jr., 5-9/215.
• OUTLOOK: The Chargers have a solid foundation, returning 22 seniors, led by all-league selections Jimmie Davis (DB), Jeff Seid (LB), Caleb Smith (TE), Justin Cordova (LB), Carl Samoa (DL) and Jake Zylstra (DB). Expect the Chargers to once again be near the top of the league in defense. Offense will make or break the Chargers. Kentridge scored 14 or fewer points five times last season, but will have a new perspective in play calling this fall as coach Marty Osborn has handed over offensive coordinating duties to Jeff Shumake. In addition, KR will have a new QB in John Hamilton, an accurate passer who transfered in from Arizona. If the offense can pick up the pace, there’s no reason the Chargers have success.
• KEY GAME: Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. vs. Kentlake. The Chargers figure to be in the playoff hunt all season long and return a bulk of last year’s starters. Traditionally a defensive-minded team, Kentridge will be challenged in this Week 2 game against Kentlake’s high-octane offense. Though a win here isn’t critical, it certainly would cement the Chargers as North Division contenders.
KENTRIDGE SCHEDULE 2011
DATE OPPONENT LOCATION
Sept. 2 Auburn Auburn Memorial
Sept. 9 Kentlake French Field
Sept. 16 Kent-Meridian French Field
Sept. 23 A. Riverside French Field
Sept. 29 Rogers* Sparks Stadium
Oct. 7 Mount Rainier Mount Rainier
Oct. 15 Jefferson French Field
Oct. 21 Tahoma Maxwell Stadium
Oct. 28 Kentwood French Field
All games at 7 p.m.
* Nonleague
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