Bainbridge Spartans: 2019 Washington high school 3A football preview

By WILL HOLLAND Here is an inside look at the Bainbridge Spartans 2019 football team. Links: Bainbridge team page | 2019 schedule | Roster 2018 IN REVIEW 5-4

By WILL HOLLAND

Here is an inside look at the Bainbridge Spartans 2019 football team.

Links: Bainbridge team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

5-4 overall, 4-0 in 2A/3A Metro League - Valley (first place).

COACHING RESUME

Jeff Rouser, 4th season

11-18 record

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 4. Defense - 5.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

QB/TE John Devlin, 6-4, 220, Sr.

RB Alex Ledbetter, 5-10, 170, Sr.

OL Elliott Weaver, 5-9, 200, Sr.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

LB John Devlin, 6-4, 220, Sr.

DB Alex Ledbetter, 5-10, 170, Sr.

DL Sio Peato, 6-2, 310, Sr.

DL Elliott Weaver, 5-9, 200, Sr.

THREE TO SEE

John Devlin, quarterback / tight end / linebacker

All-Metro League first team linebacker in 2018, and has the ability to toss it on offense.

Alex Ledbetter, running back / defensive back

Speedster and a playmaker — dangerous on both sides of the ball.

Sio Peato, defensive lineman

Great speed and quickness for his size, able to disrupt plays in the backfield before they develop.

OUTLOOK

Bainbridge was able to win a division title last season in the Metro League Valley Division to complement their undefeated season in league — all while only suiting up 22 players every Friday night.

This year, the Spartans move up into the more competitive Metro League Sound Division, where they’ll play against the likes of Chief Sealth, Lakeside, and Sammamish.

Their 2018 roster consisted exclusively of juniors and seniors, which means that they’ll be missing a lot of starters on both sides of the ball this season due to graduation.

It also means that their incoming senior class will have a lot of varsity experience under the lights, which will help coach Rouser in his attempt to acclimate this team to its surroundings in its new league.

They’ll go up against a lot of big programs this season, which will be a great test for a football team that hopes to be a top competitor in its league once again.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept 6: North Kitsap 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: at Olympic 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 20: Interlake 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: at Roosevelt 5 p.m.

Oct. 4: Lakeside, 7 p.m.

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

Oct. 18: Chief Sealth, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25: at Ballard, 5 p.m.