PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEWS ’09: K-M has ‘one-in-a-million kid’

Editor’s Note: Stay tuned in to the Reporter’s Web site as we will be previewing the Kentwood, Kentridge and Kentlake football teams during the coming week.

He’s young. Still getting acclimated to becoming a high school quarterback in one of the state’s toughest, most demanding prep football leagues. And, on occasion, he’s going to pass into double coverage when he probably should’ve tucked the ball under a shoulder and run.

But there’s no denying the excitement when discussing Kent-Meridian quarterback David Jones.

He flat-out can do it all.

And K-M coach Trevor Roberts, try as he might, can’t conceal his excitement about the athletic junior – or the immediate future of the Royals.

“He’s still young and growing. He got a great opportunity last year as a sophomore, and, when he did what we asked, he was very good and made some big strides,” said Roberts, attempting to temper his enthusiasm just a bit.

But …

“He’s incredibly athletic,” Roberts continued. “He’s like (University of Washington quarterback) Jake Locker. He has got a rifle for an arm and can run. He has got the ability to do it all. I really think he’s the real deal, a one-in-a-million kid.”

Jones already has opened some eyes around the league, too.

“As far as I’m concerned, he’s the best athlete in the entire league. That kid scares me half to death,” said Kentlake coach Mike Shepard.

But for all his talents, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Jones knows there’s plenty more to learn.

A humble sort who wants nothing more than to help K-M reverse last year’s 1-9 record, Jones has a college football future if only he can refine his already impressive skill set. Those skills include running an 11-second 100-meter dash and throwing the football 70 yards in the air on a line.

“This year is pretty big for me. I have to make a statement and put my name on the map,” said Jones, a standout on the track team who anchored the school’s 4 x 100 relay last spring that took third at state. “Last year as a sophomore, I wasn’t always on top of things. This year as a junior, I have more experience and I am ready for that next step.”

That next step will come at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, when the Royals play at Auburn Riverside in the season opener. Though it’s the first game of a 10-game schedule, it remains critical for Jones and the Royals, who will be seeking to rid themselves of the bitter aftertaste from last year’s campaign.

Kent-Meridian hasn’t made the postseason since 1995. But with Jones and a roster filled with speed and athleticism in hand, there’s reason to believe at the East Hill school.

“We are completely miles ahead of where we were last year,” said Roberts, who is in his third year with the program. “I would like to think (we’ll be in the playoff hunt). What (the coaches) tell them is that it really doesn’t matter how talented they are individually. Without their teammates, they’re not going to accomplish much.”

Jones, who is being recruited by the University of Washington and Washington State, among other Pacific-10 schools, knows that all too well. In fact, the heady junior fully realizes that if K-M is going to make some noise this year for the first time in a long while, all of the Royals will have to take a big step forward.

Fortunately for Jones, K-M possesses a capable stable of teammates with whom to work.

“I feel this group is better than last year,” said Jones. “Our team speed is excellent and, when I look at the guys around me, I feel protected. I’m not the only one who’s going to try and make it happen.”

In fact, behind Jones in the backfield are two of the least-known, but most dangerous runners in the South Puget Sound League North Division: senior Va’a Logotala and junior B.J. Arceneaux. At 5-foot-8 and 215 pounds, Logotala will be a challenge for defenses to wrap up. Arceneaux, another member of K-M’s deep and talented track team, simply gives the backfield yet another speed demon to carry the ball.

Throw in returning wide receivers Brandon Harris, Larren Wright and Dejzon Dearborne, and it’s clear, there are plenty of weapons here from which to choose.

It’s all a matter of coming together and overcoming the things that stung the Royals a year ago, such as penalties and turnovers. K-M finished led the league in both penalty yards per game (69.7) and had the worst turnover margin (-20) a year ago.

“We preach it’s not about talent, but coming together and overcoming adversity,” Roberts said.

Much of that begins with Jones, who now has a year of varsity experience under his belt.

And a world of talent and potential ahead.

KENT-MERIDIAN ROYALS: AT A GLANCE

• Coach: Trevor Roberts, 3rd year, 6-14 overall record.

• Last year: 1-7 in league; 1-9 overall.

• Type of offense: Multiple.

• Top offensive returners: David Jones, junior, QB, 6-1/180; Va’a Logotala, senior, FB, 5-8/215; Saipele Siafuafu, senior, OL, 6-2/250; Joseph Mose, junior, FB, 6-0/220; Brandon Harris, junior, WR, 6-2/175; Larren Wright, senior, WR, 6-0/170; Dejzon Dearborne, senior, WR, 6-2/170; Eddie Zhao, senior, kicker/punter.

• Type of defense: 5-2.

• Top defensive returners: Joseph Mose, junior, ILB, 6-0/220; Larren Wright, senior, safety, 6-0/170; Va’a Logotala, senior, DL, 5-8/215; Thomas Rienhart, senior, OLB, 6-1/195; Saipele Siafuafu, senior, DT, 6-2/250.

Impact newcomers: B.J. Arceneaux, junior, RB/DB, 5-9/165; Davonte Hoffman, junior, WR/DB, 5-11/175; Mark Seraile, senior, LB/FB/TE, 5-11/230; Dalton Holdon, senior, center, 6-1/225; Sergio Arroyo, junior, TE, 6-2/185; Luke Barzie, junior, LB/HB, 5-10/180; Boogie Yuhashi, sophomore, OL/DL, 6-1/225.

• Outlook: Forget last year’s record. There’s reason for excitement at the East Hill school and much of it comes from the incredible team speed the Royals possess. Jones, Harris and Arceneaux were key cogs on K-M’s track team that took the second-place trophy at state last spring. The trio gives the Royals an instant burst of athleticism that few SPSL North foes can keep up with. At quarterback, Jones has all the tools to be a difference maker right away with his arms and his legs. Losing Artise Gauldin (now at Eastern Washington University) to graduation, one of the North’s elite running backs a year ago will hurt, but Arceneaux and Logotala are plenty talented enough to fill those shoes. At 5-foot-8 and 215 pounds and with barely an ounce of fat on his chiseled frame, Logotala is going to provide plenty of match-up problems coming out of the backfield. K-M also enjoyed a nice turnout of more than 90 players, so numbers for success are available. If K-M can cut back on its penalties and turnovers – two glaring problems a year ago – this is a team that could find itself in the hunt come Week 7.

• Key game: Kent-Meridian at Auburn Riverside, Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m. It’s the season opener for both teams, but remains a critical game for the Royals, who desperately need a quick start to the season. K-M opened last year with a pair of overtime losses, then went up against league heavyweights Auburn, Tahoma and Kentwood in succession in Weeks 3, 4 and 5 to fall to 0-5. The Royals can’t falter out of the gate this season and expect to challenge for a spot in the playoffs, a place K-M hasn’t been since 1995.