Black Hills Wolves: 2019 Washington high school 2A football preview

Here's an inside look at the 2A Black Hills Wolves. Links: Black Hills team page | 2019 schedule |Roster 2018 IN REVIEW 11-1 in 2A Evergreen Conference (first

Here's an inside look at the 2A Black Hills Wolves.

Links: Black Hills team page | 2019 schedule |Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

11-1 in 2A Evergreen Conference (first place); lost to Fife in 2A quarterfinals.

COACHING RESUME

Kirk Stevens, sixth season

37-18 record

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 5. Defense - 4.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

WR/P Nick Bovenkamp, 6-3. 190, sr

OL Tate Elliott, 5-10, 255, sr.

RB Payton Hoyt, 6-0, 165, so.

RB Zach Loveless, 6-0, 210, sr.

QB Ryan Moloney, 5-10, 155, sr.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

DL Easton Casto, 6-1, 230, sr.

DL Julian Kennedy, 6-0, 180, sr.

DL Ben Herrin, 6-2, 225, sr.

LB Zach Loveless, 6-0, 210, sr.

THREE TO SEE

Julian Kennedy, defensive lineman

Not the biggest pass rusher, but his speed, length gives blockers fits

Zach Loveless, running back

Wolves graduated top four rushers, so he becomes new workhorse

Ryan Moloney, quarterback

Last man standing, Maloney returns to start at position he vacated

OUTLOOK

It was quite a 2018 season for Black Hills, which not only beat decorated cross-town rival Tumwater in the Pioneer Bowl, it won its first state playoff game in school history.

Graduating 14 senior starters, the Wolves have a lot of key pieces to replace, beginning with 2A EvCo player of the year Taylor Simmons at tailback and Ethan Loveless at quarterback.

Junior Jaden Cote, who went 4-1 down the stretch as the starting quarterback replacing the injured Loveless, was expected to keep the job. But Cote suffered a serious knee injury this summer.

Moloney, a former backup in 2017 who was one of the team's best defensive backs, will move back to guide the offense. Expect Zach Loveless and Hoyt to be heavily involved as rushers and in the short passing game.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept 6: at Bremerton, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 13: Fife, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: Prairie, 7 p.m.

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

Oct. 4: at W.F. West, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11: at Centralia, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18: Aberdeen, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25: at Tumwater, 7 p.m.

Nov. 1: Rochester, 7 p.m.