Sultan Turks: 2019 Washington high school 1A football preview

By WILL HOLLAND Here's an inside look at the 1A Sultan Turks. Links: Sultan team page | 2019 schedule | Roster 2018 IN REVIEW 2-7 overall record, 1-4 in North

By WILL HOLLAND

Here's an inside look at the 1A Sultan Turks.

Links: Sultan team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

2-7 overall record, 1-4 in North Sound League; no playoff appearance

COACHING RESUME

HC: Richard Rudd

Coached at Sultan from ‘96 to ‘99, returning for fourth overall season

Coordinators: Richard Rudd (OC); Ben Murphy (DC).

Base schemes: Wing-T offense, 5-2 defense

RETURNING 

Offense - 6. Defense - 6.

TOP RETURNERS

RB/LB Aidan Fleming, 5-8, 140, Sr. 

OL/DL Tyler Deason, 6-4, 215, Sr.

OL/DL Cody Deason, 6-4, 215, Sr. 

RB/LB Kaden Hardwick, 5-10, 180, Jr.

QB/DB Willy Bennett, 6-0, 170, Sr. 

THREE TO SEE

RB/LB Aidan Fleming, 5-8, 140, Sr.

A second team all-league selection last year, Fleming will hope to pick up the slack for an offense that loses some other all-league selections to graduation and transfer. The youngster’s speed will be relied upon heavily in the wing-T offense.

OL/DL Tyler Deason, 6-4, 215, Sr. / OL/DL Cody Deason, 6-4, 215, Sr. 

The Deason boys add size and experience to an offensive line that coach Rudd says will be the team’s “strength”. Their’s will be two familiar faces for a football program that has made a lot of changes since last season. 

OUTLOOK

The Turks had a rough year in 2018 with a 5th place league finish, which has brought on a lot of changes for the upcoming ball season. New coach Rick Rudd is a familiar face to the program, having been head coach at Sultan from 1996-1999, offensive and defensive coordinator from 2011-2016, and head middle school coach last year. He’ll have his hands full trying to turn around a program that has only had one winning season in the last 10 years. 

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept. 6, 7 p.m.: at Vashon Island

Sept. 13, 7p.m.: Cashmere

Sept. 20, 7 p.m.: at Cedarcrest

Sept. 27, TBA.: Friday Harbor

Oct. 4, 7 p.m.: at South Whidbey

Oct. 11, 7 p.m.: Mountlake Terrace

Oct. 18, 7 p.m.: at Granite Falls

Oct. 25, 7 p.m.: King’s

Nov. 1, 7 p.m.: at Cedar Park Christian

*home games in bold