When Interlake takes the field for its first offensive series of the season against Newport on Sept. 2, it will be Kamana Adriano leading the huddle at quarterback.
For the first time since eighth grade.
Actually, Adriano says he took only a few snaps during his eighth grade year and has really been a receiver since he was a seventh-grader playing youth football five seasons ago. The lack of experience made the senior initially uncertain if he would be able to make the transition.
“I was pretty hesitant,” Adriano said. “But I always threw the ball around and I was willing to take the challenge for the team.” Also a player on the Saints’ state playoff baseball team, there is no doubt Adriano has the physical tools to be effective both inside the pocket as well as on the run. Head coach Jason Rimkus raves about his arm strength and Adriano himself said he was surprised at the velocity and distance on the ball when he uncorks one downfield. The only thing left to fall into place for Adriano to blossom into a bona fide weapon is his ability to read and react against an opposing defense in a live situation.
“All he has to develop is his knowledge of the game,” Rimkus said. “We haven’t really tested it yet in terms of multiple reads. I think when he gets a game or two under his belt, he’s going to be pretty good.” While Adriano and a new cast of receivers hope to find cohesion in the passing game, the Saints know they have a force to lean on at running back in senior Jordan Todd.
After scoring seven touchdowns in consecutive playoff wins last season, Todd is leaner, faster and more disciplined with the football in 2011. More Jacquizz Rodgers than Chris Polk, Todd uses a sturdy frame and naturally low center of gravity to bounce off tacklers before using his speed takes over in the open field. Rimkus has been impressed with what he has seen thus far from Todd 2.0.
“This time last year, he wanted to outrun everybody,” Rimkus said. “Now, he understands that while he’s very fast, he’s more effective with his pads down running through arm tackles. I think he really understands how to run the ball better.” He’s also not one to shy away from contact. “I’m not the biggest guy,” Todd said. “But I can take a hit or give a hit.” Making space for Todd in the running game is an offensive line that by several accounts is leaps and bounds ahead of where it was last season. Rimkus said at times in 2010, he started players on the line that were no bigger than 160 pounds. That will not be the case this season.
“We should average at least 200 pounds on the offensive line,” Rimkus said. “We’ve been able to grow some kids in the offseason that create some depth and create competition and that’s tremendous.” Offensive line coach Chip Glass, a retired NFL player and former coach at Cedar Park Christian, said his offensive line is “much better than they were last year” and there is no doubt that they can move. “We definitely have some speed,” returning starter Netto Cancilla said. Rimkus agrees with that sentiment and has also been encouraged by the unit’s ability to get work together to get Todd into open space.
One question mark heading into the season is which guys will step up in a pass catching role to keep defenses from packing the box against Todd and the running game. Leading receiver Scotty Gehlhausen graduated and with Adriano’s move to quarterback, the Saints will need to establish some weapons on the outside. But Rimkus quickly rattles off several names he believes will play a part in the passing game this season, including Ryan Turman and Daniel Soohoo among others.
Defensively, coaches emphasized consistency as a key to turning the corner after the Saints allowed 40 or more points six times in 2010, all losses.
“We were not very good,” defensive coordinator John Wayland said of his 2010 unit. “Right now, we’re a year older and we’re really working on being disciplined for all four quarters.” But with impact players returning at every level of the defense and an increased understanding of the scheme in year two, the potential for improvement is there. Jacob Marks, Cancilla and Alex Giseburt are all players coaches and teammates are expecting big things from.
“It’s a football team instead of just an offense,” Cancilla said of Rimkus’ shift in focus from previous head coach Sheldon Cross. “I think we’re turning it around.” Marks had a similar take to Cancilla, saying last year’s triumphs and setbacks taught the defense to trust in the scheme rather than attempting to make plays in spite of it. “We really have a lot more trust in our coaches,” Marks said. “Everyone believes and that is what is going to make the biggest difference.” Both Whalen and Marks pointed to Giseburt as a stalwart for the defense. “There is no one I trust more to make a tackle,” Marks said. “He’s really the quarterback of the defense.”
If the offense can come together behind Adriano and the defense can improve even marginally, the makings of another state playoff run will be in place for Interlake in 2011. The Crossroads Cup against Sammamish will likely carry playoff implications for the Saints regardless of what transpires before or after, but that doesn’t mean one conference win will satisfy this team’s hunger, especially after finishing 2010 just one game from the state semi-finals. The phrase “Unfinished Business” is scrawled across t-shirts worn by some coaches at practice and underneath is a picture the place the Saints hope the 2011 season comes to a close: the Tacoma Dome.
“Everyone is here for the same goal,” Marks said. “Make it to the T-Dome.”
