SOMEONE MUST WIN, and someone must lose on the prep gridiron this fall.
Here’s a few not-so-bold predictions about how that will shake out in each North Olympic Peninsula league.
Why, you might ask? Because somebody has to be able to say the words “nobody believed in us.”
Playoff teams are noted with an asterisk (*).
Olympic League
1.) Sequim* — The team to beat in the Olympic League until proven otherwise.
2.) Port Angeles* — Roughriders lost a lot from last year’s Cinderella squad, but they still have dual-threat QB Keenen Walker.
3.) Kingston* — Sequim head coach Erik Wiker says the Buccaneer coaching staff is the best in the league at halftime adjustments.
4.) North Kitsap* — After a down year, Vikings are primed to move back into playoff contention.
5) Bremerton (3A) — Knights must replace several key players, including workhorse back Kyle Kennedy, but have steadily improved under head coach Nate Gillam.
6.) North Mason — Bulldogs putting their top rusher, Tommy Renne, at quarterback after last year’s starter fell victim to post-concussion syndrome following a hit against Port Angeles.
7.) Olympic — Trojans are still trying to find a replacement for Army recruit Larry Dixon.
8.) Klahowya — Don’t act like you’re surprised.
1A Nisqually League
1.) Cascade Christian* — Defending 1A state champs reloading.
2.) Orting* — There was a time when the Cardinals were locks to win this league.
3.) Life Christian* — Eagles took big strides following a last-place showing in 2009, and now bring back seven starters on defense and eight on offense.
4.) Charles Wright* — Inventive head coach Mike Finch has a lot to work with after returning eight starters on defense and seven on offense.
5.) Chimacum — Cowboys’ losses softened by the fact they return three impact players on the offensive line.
6.) Vashon Island — Pirates offense will miss Adrian Arceo, last year’s offensive MVP in the Nisqually.
7.) Port Townsend — The Redskins are young — real young — but the homer in me can’t put them last.
8.) Cedar Park Christian — Eagles used to bring a large sledge hammer to road games. This year, Nisqually foes will bring hammer to them.
1A SWL
Evergreen Division
1.) Montesano* — One of these years the Bulldogs won’t win league. Just not this one.
2.) Elma* — Eagles boast speed and experience. Expect former state power to return to prominence.
3.) Onalaska* — The Loggers have proven to have staying power in Evergreen.
4.) Hoquiam — Grizzlies looking to return to 1A state playoffs.
5.) Rainier — After reaching playoffs, Mountaineers starting to believe.
6.) Forks — Spartans will not go winless again in 2011.
7.) Tenino — Beavers brutal road schedule — they play at Montesano, Elma and Forks — will be no fun for young team.
8. Rochester — Very little experience and a new head coach translates into long season for Warriors.
Northwest Football League (8 man)
1.) Neah Bay* — The Red Devils have experience and a chip on their shoulder after getting bounced in 1B semifinals by Lummi two years in a row.
2.) Lummi* — Blackhawks coach Jim Sandusky knows how to win, even with a reloaded roster.
3.) Evergreen Lutheran (2B) — Bigger school has big advantage, but no way to get into the playoffs as eight-man 2B team.
4.) Muckleshoot* — Kings football program made playoffs in first year.
5.) Crescent* — Loggers bring track and field speed to football field . . . as well as track coach Darrell Yount.
6.) Lopez — Lobos expected to rebound after not fielding a team last fall with 11 athletes out.
7.) Quilcene — Rangers lose three-sport star Brandon Bancroft but first-year head coach Nic Dahl has 20 athletes to work with.
8.) Clallam Bay — Bruins slowly rebuilding program after a couple of rough seasons.
9.) Rainier Christian (2B) — Mustangs didn’t win a game in 2B Northwest League last fall. Now they move down to eight-man.
10.) Tulalip Heritage — Nobody knows what to expect out of Hawks. That’s why they go here.
11.) Highland Christian — Knights likely to struggle again after winless 2010.
