No. 7 Sunnyside Christian Knights: 2019 Washington high school 1B football preview

The Sunnyside Christian Knights are ranked No. 7 in Scorebook Live Washington's preseason 1B football Top 10. Here's an inside look at the 2019 Knights. More:

The Sunnyside Christian Knights are ranked No. 7 in Scorebook Live Washington's preseason 1B football Top 10. Here's an inside look at the 2019 Knights.

More: 1B preseason Top 10 + team previews

2018 IN REVIEW

Sunnyside Christian finished 11-1 overall and 9-0 in the 1B Southeast League last season. They lost in the quarterfinals of the 1B state tournament to Quilcene, 54-50.

COACHING RESUME

Jeremy Thomas, 6th season at Sunnyside Christian

Overall record: 46-13

Coordinators: OC - Jeremy Thomas, DC - Jeremy Thomas

Base schemes: Offense - Air Raid, Defense - 3-3-2.

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 5; Defense - 5.

TOP RETURNERS

QB Marty Fultz, 6-1, 185, Sr.

OL/DE Levi Newhouse, Sr., 6-0, 160

RB/WR Matt Beltman 5-6, 140, Sr.

TE Ari Prins 6-3, 180, Jr.

OL Allen Van, Jr., 5-7, 220, Sr.

THREE TO SEE

QB Marty Fultz, 6-1, 185, Sr.

Sunnyside Christian reshaped its offense to an air raid style to accommodate Fultz’s arm, which coach Jeremy Thomas describes as a “cannon.” Fultz is the de facto leader of an experienced group.

RB/WR Matt Beltman 5-6, 140, Sr.

Beltman is the Knights’ big play guy. Give the speedy wideout space, and he’s proven he can make something happen. In an air raid offense, look to Beltman as the team’s most formidable deep ball threat.

OL/DE Levi Newhouse, 6-0, 160, Sr.

The team’s top pass rusher, Newhouse, is a backside defensive end who rounds out the team’s upperclassmen leadership. 

OUTLOOK

Sunnyside Christian lost 54-50 in the first round of the 1B state tournament, and while it was dealing with a bevy of injuries — a quarterback recovering from a burst appendix, an injured starting running back — the loss still serves as motivation and reassurance. The team is laden with experience, 10 returning starters, and will lean on them as new additions Lyle/Wishram and Yakima Tribal add depth to the 1B Southeast League. Much of the returning group played in the state championship in 2017 and state quarterfinals in 2016.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept. 6, 7 p.m.: DeSales (location TBD)

Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m.: Yakima Tribal @ Toppenish

Sept. 20, 7 p.m.: St. John Endicott 

Sept. 27, 7 p.m.: @ Lyle/Wishram

Oct. 4, 7 p.m.: @ Tekoa/Rosalia

Oct. 11, 7 p.m.: DeSales 

Oct. 18, 3 p.m.: @ Touchet

Oct.25, 7 p.m.: Pomeroy

Nov. 1, 7 p.m.: @ Pateros

No. 7, 6 p.m.: Colton

*home games in bold