Timberline Blazers: 2019 Washington high school 3A football preview

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Timberline Blazers football team. Links: Timberline team page | 2019 schedule | Roster 2018 IN REVIEW 9-3 in 3A SSC (second

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Timberline Blazers football team.

Links: Timberline team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

9-3 in 3A SSC (second place); lost to Eastside Catholic in 3A quarterfinals

COACHING RESUME

Nick Mullen, 11th season

64-35 record

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 4. Defense - 3.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

WR Max Aunese, 5-11, 165, sr.

OL Blake Doss, 5-9, 225, sr.

RB/KR Noah Cunningham, 5-7, 160, jr.

RB Stanton Hayes, 5-9, 180, sr.

OL Lysander Moeolo, 6-5, 330, jr.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

DB Keola Allison, 6-0, 185, sr.

LB Jaden Gorman, 5-11, 205, sr.

LB Ethan Keith, 5-7, 195, sr.

DL Will Lafaele, 5-9, 255, sr,

DL D,J. Togiola, 6-4, 265, jr.

THREE TO SEE

Max Aunese, wide receiver

Rebounded well from 2017 knee injury to become top pass catcher

Jaden Gorman, linebacker

High-intelligence boss now moving to the middle to stop everything

Will Lafaele, defensive lineman

Two-way returner's infectious energy good for young group to follow

OUTLOOK

Even in what projects to be a slight dip year for the Blazers after losing nine all-league performers (including five first-teamer), teams in this league have learned not to underestimate Mullen's chippy crew.

The biggest hole to fill is at quarterback. Dual threat Hunter Campau was the league's 2018 most valuable player (and is now at Central Washington), and single-handedly gave defensive coordinators cause for concern.

Wyatt Gerkin, Campau's backup, leads the quarterback pack, but the Blazers are high on Olympia transfer Adam Dafoe, a junior. Whoever wins the job has the shifty Aunese waiting to catch passes.

Mullen will run the football, and has contrasting styles with Hayes, an inside power runner, and Cunningham, an outside flyer, to carry the load.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept 6: at Tumwater, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: at Bonney Lake, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: at Gig Harbor, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: at Central Kitsap, 7 p.m.

Oct. 3: Peninsula, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11: Shelton, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18: at Capital, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25: North Thurston, 7 p.m.

Nov. 1: Yelm, 7 p.m.