Kennewick Lions: 2019 Washington high school 3A football preview

Here is an inside look at the Kennewick Lions 2019 football team.

Links: Kennewick team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

6-4 overall, 5-3 in 3A Mid Columbia Conference (third place); Lost to Mt. Spokane in a week 10 league crossover, 21-14.

COACHING RESUME

Randy Affholter, first season (22 years as head coach of Ellensburg)

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 7. Defense - 8.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

QB Blaine Chavez 6-2, 190, sr.

TE Jagger Childs 6-4, 240, sr.

WR Elijah Tanner 5-11, 175, jr.

WR Myles Mayovsky 6-1, 180, soph.

WR Simeon Howard 6-1, 180, soph.

OL Baiden McElroy 6-5, 270, sr.

OL Baylor McElory 6-5, 260, sr.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

FS Blaine Chavez 6-2, 190, sr.

DE Jagger Childs 6-4, 240, sr.

OLB/S Cody Lafantaine 5-8, 165, sr.

CB Max Mayer 5-11, 150, jr.

CB Simeon Howard 6-1, 180, soph.

THREE TO SEE

Jagger Childs, defensive end

First team all-MCC defensive end selection. Standout and leader on defense, reliable target at tight end.

Elijah Tanner, wide receiver

Started as a sophomore. Three-sport standout at Kennewick and the football team’s top target.

Blaine Chavez, quarterback/defensive back

First team all-MCC selection at defensive back as a junior. Returns as the team's starting quarterback.

OUTLOOK

Kennewick fancies itself the “dark horse” of a deep MCC. And after falling short of the 3A state playoffs by a touchdown last season, the Lions return with a hunger.

“We’re the little guy on the block,” first year coach Randy Affholter said, “and we need to start thinking we’re the big guy on the block.”

To Affholter’s point, the Lions are particularly big. Affholter, who spent 22 years as the head coach at Ellensburg, takes over a program with 25 seniors and a strong offensive line led by twin linemen Baiden and Baylor McElory, who Affholter says are the two best linemen he’s ever coached.

That’s just the beginning for perhaps the most experience-laden team in the MCC.

Returning starting quarterback Blaine Chavez will have talented targets to throw to, including Myles Mayovsky, who was an all-MCC honorable mention selection as a freshman, and Simeon Howard, a 6-1, 180-pound sophomore who is poised for a breakout season.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept 6: Hanford, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: at Chiawana, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: Hermiston (Ore.), 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: Kamiakin, 7 p.m.

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

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

Oct. 17: Walla Walla, 7 p.m.

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

Nov. 1: Southridge, 8 p.m.

*home games in bold