The Totems have struggled to keep pace on the KingCo gridiron of late, last defeating a conference foe back in 2007. Head coach Brian Tucci and the Totems know they have a steep climb to get back to respectability, but hope 2011 will provide at least a glimmer of hope for the future.
Bellevue Reporter: What is one thing you have learned about your team during Spring Practice that you were unsure of two weeks ago?
Brian Tucci: We ended the 2010 season with two big question marks around our QB position and defensive leadership for the 2011 season.
At the QB position, we started three players last year (Andrew Engles, Cody Arviso-Nelson and Austin Lee) and each of them brings a different flavor of the position to the offense. Going into Spring, we had made minor changes to the offense and wanted to see which player would stand out above the others. We had narrowed the first team reps down to two players and now feel that we have our starting QB as we get ready to leave for Central Washington University football camp.
As for the second question regarding defensive leadership, that one is still playing itself out.
We lost two great defensive players last year in linebacker Taylor Ragan and outside linebacker Chris Lider. We have seen a few players begin leading the defense in drills and team time but no one has stepped forth during an entire practice to set the proper tempo. I look forward to that happening at CWU camp and leaving there with a sense of defensive intensity to take into the 2011 season.
BR: What is something you are still unsure of?
BT: Our 2011 Kicker. After losing an All-State and All-KingCo kicker, Chris Lider, we spent some time during the spring searching for our next great kicker. We have a few young players that are anxious to show the coaching staff what they can do on a consistent basis but it is a significant concern still today heading into the 2011 season.
BR: Who are some guys who flashed some potential and are looking to challenge to get on the field in the fall?
BT: There have been a few young standout players from last year we are looking to see them step into varsity roles as well as existing varsity players that will continue to get better.
Sammy Avanesoe is a young Offensive Tackle that we are looking to make a huge impact this year. Stephen Fry had a great season at the C Team level last year as a Freshman and we are looking for him to help fill the void that Taylor left in the middle of our Linebacker core next to Acie Black.
BR: Who are the returning guys who really upped their level of play and will now be counted on as primary playmakers?
BT: Our offensive backfield of Nick Myers, David Stevens and Acie Black have now played a full Varsity season under their belts and look to have a good senior year. Chance Griffin will be starting his third season at center for us and I look for his experience to develop into a leadership role on the offensive line.
Jacob Shenderovich was Honorable Mention at the Offensive Tackle position in 2010 and I am looking for him to continue his success there and develop his defensive end position to help the team further in 2011. I am also looking at Austin Lee to be a team leader on both sides of the football in 2011 and see his play making ability expand as his involvement in our O and D schemes increases.
BR: Any games on the schedule circled?
BT: Ballard Week 1
I felt, after looking back at that week one game, as though we did not approach it like we should have. Setting a tempo early in the season with an opponent we match up very well against is a great opportunity.
The coaching staff and I could have done a couple things differently to better prepare ourselves for that first game and we have many lessons learned to apply towards this season. Getting to play them at home week one on our new field turf is going to be another great opportunity for us to start the season off in the right direction and we are looking to do just that.
BR: Biggest challenge entering 2011?
BT: The KingCo 3A Conference.
Our biggest challenge is the challenge we face every year, Bellevue as a regular season opponent who has also won the 3A state title 8 of the past 10 years is a challenge. Not only Bellevue, but every Kingco team has the ability to win the league and play late into the playoffs.
We have been working hard to get back onto a competitive level with the other Kingco teams and get our first Kingco conference win since 2007.
BR: When you get back together with your guys on Day 1 of practice for the fall, what do you hope to see?
BT: A united, competitive team looking to improve every day in practice in preparation for September 2nd. Stronger than they were leaving Spring practice and more focused on their goals for 2011.