Rainier Beach Vikings: 2019 Washington high school 3A football preview

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Rainier Beach Vikings football team. Links: Rainier Beach team page | 2019 schedule | Roster 2018 IN REVIEW 6-4 overall, 2-3

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Rainier Beach Vikings football team.

Links: Rainier Beach team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

6-4 overall, 2-3 3A Metro League Mountain (fourth place); lost to Mountain View in the 3A state quarterfinals, 7-6.

COACHING RESUME

Corey Sampson, sixth season

34-18 Record

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 2. Defense - 2.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

QB Trey Morris 6-0, 180, sr.

WR Kendrick Smith 5-10, 180, jr.

WR/RB Xavier Bowen 5-7, 165, jr.

WR Tyrone Taylor 5-8, 155, soph.

OT Joshua Conerly 6-5, 275, soph.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

LB Jacob Palmer 5-10, 205, sr.

LB Frankco Gratton Jr. 6-4, 185, jr.

DB Kendrick Smith 5-10, 180, jr.

CB Xavier Bowen 5-7, 165, jr.

THREE TO SEE

Trey Morris, quarterback

Elusive returning starter who threw for more than 400 yards against O’Dea and more than 370 yards in the state playoffs against Lincoln with 18 consecutive completions. Father, Randall Morris, played for the Seahawks. High football IQ.

Tyrone Taylor, receiver

Top target for Morris out wide. Runs a 10.8 100-meter dash. Holds an SEC offer from Florida as a sophomore. 

Xavier Bowen, receiver/defensive back

Experienced route runner, multi-faceted athlete who starts on both sides of the ball.

OUTLOOK

Rainier Beach made an impressive run to the 3A state quarterfinals last season. And while Beach will look decidedly different this year after saying goodbye to a large senior class, beating 6-seeded Lincoln in the round of 16 was a statement.

The Vikings’ continuity from last season starts with quarterback Trey Morris, who put up enormous individual performances last season. And he’ll have ample support in the skill positions. 

Sophomore speedster Tyrone Taylor, who holds an offer from Florida, and juniors Xavier Brown and Kendrick Smith are Morris’ top targets out wide.

Despite losing 10 players to what head coach Corey Sampson describes as football-related transfers since spring -- along with seven all-league selections to graduation -- expect Rainier Beach to compete at a high level in 2019.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept 6: at Newport, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: Higley (Ariz.), 7 p.m.

Sept. 21: Ballard, 6 p.m.

Sept. 27: Eastside Catholic, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: at Bishop Blanchet, 7 p.m.

Oct. 11: at Garfield, 5 p.m.

Oct. 17: O’Dea, 7 p.m.

Oct. 25: Seattle Prep, 7 p.m.

*home games in bold