Cameron Akana, Sammamish
Offensive line/middle linebacker
Senior
Why: Akana has been through the wars for the Totems, having started four years as Sammamish’s center, earning honorable mention All-KingCo nods the past two. A fearless hitter and weight room fanatic, expect a big season out of the 6-foot, 220 pound senior.
Dylan Amell, Interlake
Wide receiver/defensive back
Junior
Why: Amell, who hauled in 34 passes for 436 yards and two scores as a sophomore, is KingCo 3A’s leading returning receiver. Big play ability should shine through this season, especially against 2A opponents in the post-season, should the Saints qualify.
Taylor Anderson, Bellevue
Wide receiver/defensive back
Senior
Why: Anderson made the most of his three catches last season, scoring twice in Bellevue’s Wing-T offense. The Wolverines threw only 15 times last season; with rumblings that they may toss the ball up more this season, expect Anderson to have a big season.
Ian Case, Newport
Fullback/linebacker
Senior
Why: The 5’10’’ 170 pound senior hopes to fill the void left by departed stars Collin Bennett and Blake Gibbs. Case rushed for 211 yards and one score in limited touches last season, but did average seven yards per carry.
Jonte Giacomino, Newport
Tailback/defensive back
Senior
Why: With only one carry under his belt, Giacomino will team with Case as the featured backs in Coach Mike Millers Wing-T offense. Newport will need a big season out of Giacomino with the move to 4A this year.
Brett Kirschner, Interlake
Running back
Junior
Why: Opponents couldn’t stop Kirschner last season as the sophomore rushed for 879 yards (third-most in KingCo) and nine scores on a workmanlike 178 carries. Kirschner only has gotten bigger, faster and stronger in the off-season and has already garnered attention from Pac-10 coaches.
Jake Luwe, Newport
Offensive line/defensive line
Senior
Why: Luwe, one of only two returning starters for Newport, was a first-team All-KingCo selection at defensive tackle last season, and one of Newport’s most dependable players. Coach Mike Miller will look to Luwe to lead an experienced Newport line on both sides of the ball this season.
Eric Nelson, Bellevue
Middle linebacker/Running back
Senior
Why: Nelson did a little bit of everything for Bellevue last season. An anchor at linebacker, he also spent time on the offensive line and even rushed for four bruising touchdowns for the Wolverines last season. Bellevue hopes to let Nelson concentrate solely on defense this season, but Coach Butch Goncharoff said he will be in the mix in the backfield at times.
Louie Randall, Sammamish
Offensive line/defensive line
Senior
Why: A load on the line, Randall, along with Akana, are the most experienced Totems up front. Although he doesn’t grab the headlines, expect Randall to put in another solid season for Sammamish, who will hope to pound out the ball on the ground this year.
Henry Simekha, Sammamish
Running back
Junior
Why: Although relatively unpolished, Simekha possesses blinding speed and if the Totems can get him out in space, no one will catch him. Hasn’t played the game long, but has enough athleticism to make plays.
Evan Spading, Interlake
Linebacker/offenive line
Junior
Why: Another talented Interlake junior, Spading earned honorable mention nods at linebacker last season. Having bulked up over the offseason, expect more solid play from the Saints junior.
Cam Warren, Bellevue
Safety/quarterback
Senior
Why: Bellevue’s “one true captain” according to coach Butch Goncharoff, Warren may be undersized at 5-10, but plays with heart and intensity. Should be one of the area’s, if not the state’s, best safety this season, as well as in the mix for quarterbacking the Wolverines.
