No. 1 Eastside Catholic Crusaders: 2019 Washington high school 3A football preview

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Eastside Catholic football team. Links: Eastside Catholic team page | 2019 schedule | Roster 2018 IN REVIEW Finished 13-1

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Eastside Catholic football team.

Links: Eastside Catholic team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

Finished 13-1 overall, 8-0 in the 3A Metro League (first place); won the 3A state championship (31-13 over O’Dea).

COACHING RESUME

Dominic Daste, first season (previously offensive line coach)

Coordinators: Drew Miller (OC); Robert Christoff (DC).

Base schemes: spread offense; odd front defense.

RETURNING 

Offense - 8. Defense - 7.

TOP OFFENSIVE RETURNERS

WR Gee Scott Jr., 6-3, 180

RB Sam Adams, 6-2, 200

OL Jernias Tafia, 6-4, 320

OL D’Angalo Titialii, 6-3, 319

TE D.J. Rogers, 6-4, 230

TOP DEFENSIVE RETURNERS

DE J.T. Tuimoloau, 6-4, 245

LB Hunter Misa, 6-2, 190

DB Ayden Hector, 6-1, 187

DB Silas Ticeson, 6-4, 200

DT John Taumoepeau, 6-2, 290

THREE TO SEE

Gee Scott Jr.,wide receiver

Perhaps the most exciting player to watch across the state. The Ohio State commit has shined on the national recruiting stage over the summer and is poised for another big year for the Crusaders. 

Sam Adams II, running back/safety

A power-five recruit at running back and safety, the Washington commit is the state’s most talented back. Adams II is a quick back who likes to make defenders miss.

J.T. Tuimolaou, defensive end

The crown jewel of Eastside Catholic’s deep defense. The top prospect in the nation out of the class of 2021, according to 247 Sports.

OUTLOOK

Eastside Catholic is the defending 3A state champion, has won three of the last five state titles and is the favorite again in 2019.

The Crusaders bring back most of their defense and the most Division I talent of any team in the state. EC ran the table in a tough Metro League last season and brings back much of the core of a team that won the 3A state championship by more than two touchdowns. 

And they bring back one of the most talented rosters in state history.

That starts with junior defensive end J.T. Tuimolaou, a five-star and top-10 recruit in the class of 2021; Ohio State wide receiver commit Gee Scott; running back Sam Adams II, a Washington commit and four-star recruit; and four-star uncommitted corner Ayden Hector.

The quarterback position will look a bit different in 2019.

Remember this name: Lohgan "Kobe" Muasau, a 6-foot-1 junior transfer from Saint Louis School (Hawaii), who will be the Crusaders' starter after winning the job as a newcomer. Michael Franklin, a Simon Frasier commit who started last season, transferred to Hazen mid-summer.

But perhaps the biggest change? Offensive line coach Dominic Daste steps in as a first-year head coach after Jeremy Thielbahr stepped down in the offseason.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept. 6: Grant Union (Calif.), 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13: at Central Catholic (Ore.), 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: Pinnacle (Ariz.), 7:45 p.m.

Sept. 27: at Rainier Beach, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: at Garfield, 7:45 p.m.

Oct. 11: O'Dea, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18: at Seattle Prep, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25: Bishop Blanchet, 7 p.m.

*home games in bold