Ferris Saxons: 2019 Washington high school 4A football preview

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Ferris Saxons football team.

Links: Ferris team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

6-4 in 4A Greater Spokane League (fifth place)

COACHING RESUME

Tom Yearout, third season

8-11 record

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 7. Defense - 5.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

QB Jack Clavel, 6-1, 170, sr.

OL Caleb Halvorsen, 6-0, 220, sr.

WR Casey Hocking, 6-4, 180, sr.

RB Javon Ruffin, 5-6, 160, sr.

RB Nate Schlosser, 5-8, 185, sr.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

DL Jake Davis, 5-10, 200, sr.

DB Zach Fleming, 6-2, 170, sr.

DB Kwame Qadir, 5-10, 185, sr.

LB Javon Ruffin, 5-6, 160, sr.

LB Nate Schlosser, 5-8, 185, sr.

THREE TO SEE

Jake Davis, defensive lineman

First team all-GSL defensive end (and top wrestler); a tireless sideline-to-sideline hunter

Zach Fleming, defensive back

Don’t let slender frame fool you -- he’s a FCS-level physical press-coverage cornerback

Nate Schlosser, linebacker

Top running back is also a “bellcow” in middle of defense as three-year starter on ‘D’

OUTLOOK

When Yearout left Lewis and Clark for its rival, Ferris, the pieces were in place to rebuild the Saxons into the same type of physical, punishing group as his last program.

Of those sophomores who saw significant playing time back in 2017, eight of them are senior starters heading into this season. Depth is coming, and Yearout said he has never had more NAIA/NCAA Division III recruit types on his roster at one time than now.

What Ferris lacks compared to the top contenders is rock-solid stability at quarterback. Clavel (passer) and Qadir (all-around “Slash” type athlete) will likely share the job in the early going. Both will play in certain packages, and need to be productive for the Saxons to contend for their first league crown since 2013.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept 6: at Moses Lake, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: at Lake City (ID), 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: Central Valley, 8 p.m.

Sept. 27: at University, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: Shadle Park, 5 p.m.

Oct. 10: at North Central, 4:45 p.m.

Oct. 17: at Gonzaga Prep, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 25: Lewis and Clark, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 1: at Mead, 5 p.m.