Bonney Lake Panthers: 2019 Washington high school 3A football preview

Here is an inside look at the Bonney Lake Panthers 2019 football team. Links: Bonney Lake Panthers | 2019 schedule | Roster 2018 IN REVIEW 5-5 in 3A PCL (fifth

Here is an inside look at the Bonney Lake Panthers 2019 football team.

Links: Bonney Lake Panthers | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

5-5 in 3A PCL (fifth place)

COACHING RESUME

Jason Silbaugh, eighth season

38-37 record

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 7. Defense - 7.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

TE Braeden Goff, 6-2, 210, sr.

QB Drew Hollenbeck, 6-3, 190, sr.

RB Dylan Medges, 6-0, 200, jr.

OL Aron Oliva, 6-3, 325, sr.

RB Andrew Romano, 6-0, 190, sr.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

DL/LB Kelly Hickson, 6-3, 200, sr.

LB Max Marceau, 5-10, 185, jr.

DL Aron Oliva, 6-3, 325, sr.

LB Andrew Romano, 6-0, 190, sr.

DB Connor Shoemaker, 6-0, 190, sr.

THREE TO SEE

Kelly Hickson, defensive lineman/linebacker

Makes a living in opposing backfields as 3A PCL first-team pass rusher (24 TFL)

Drew Hollenbeck, quarterback

Took over for injured Roman Casey midseason, and flashed dual-threat promise

Aron Oliva, defensive lineman

Big man has enough weight and wheels to play both nose tackle and defensive end

OUTLOOK

After back-to-back 3A quarterfinal appearances (2015, 2016), the Panthers have hit a dry spell, just missing the postseason in 2017 and last season.

Which is frustrating considering Silbaugh is in the middle of arguably his best big-man stretch.

It will be good again in 2019, led by Oliva, a massive two-way terror who is getting lower-level FBS interest. He is a road grader at left guard, and forms an all-league tandem with Hickson on the defensive line.

Where the Panthers lag behind is impact skill-position players. Romano, Medges and Hayden Brock are chain-moving running backs, but none are breakaway threats. Hollenbeck, who has legitimate sprinter speed, could be — and the coaching staff will let him try to make plays.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept 6: at Franklin Pierce, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: Timberline, 7 p.m.

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

Sept. 27: Lincoln, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: at Lakes, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11: at Spanaway Lake, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18: Wilson, 7 p.m.

Oct 25: at Bethel, 7 p.m.

Oct. 31: Mount Tahoma, 7 p.m.

*home games in bold