Lewis and Clark Tigers: 2019 Washington high school 4A football preview

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Lewis and Clark Tigers football team.

Links: Lewis and Clark team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

7-3 in 4A Greater Spokane League (third place); lost to Chiawana in the 4A district round

COACHING RESUME

Dave Hughes, 11th season

49-51 record

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 3. Defense - 4.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

TE Charles Avery, 6-3, 220, sr.

WR Josh Bewick, 5-11, 170, sr.

OL Malachi Moore, 6-4, 265, sr.

QB Jace Parbon, 6-2, 180, jr.

RB Keel Potter, 5-10, 185, jr.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

LB Charles Avery, 6-3, 220, sr.

DB Joshua Bewick, 5-11, 170, sr.

DL Grant Daniel, 6-2, 250, sr.

DB Conner Martin, 5-7, 165, sr.

LB Keel Potter, 5-10, 185, jr.

THREE TO SEE

Grant Daniel, defensive lineman

Powerful defensive tackle levels any blocker In his way

Malachi Moore, offensive lineman

Only returning senior on line, he is anchor at right tackle

Keel Potter, running back

Career backup to star Keani Guthmueller now in spotlight

OUTLOOK

The Tigers got off to a hot 7-0 start to begin last season -- and finished with a three-game skid, including a season-ending loss to Chiawana in the district crossover.

Twenty seniors graduated, but Lewis and Clark lost arguably its best player right before camp when all-4A GSL first-team tailback Keani Guthmueller (1,200 rushing yards, 14 TDs) decided not to turn out for the team. Hughes did not elaborate on a reason why.

So it will be a new offensive backfield with Parbon -- a bigger signal caller than reliable graduated two-year starter Michael Flaherty -- running the show. He has shown better accuracy on his passes in the offseason. And Potter, who was Guthmueller’s backup, gets his chance as a first-time starter.

Lewis and Clark just isn’t as big and experienced up front as it has been in recent years, but Daniel could be poised for a breakout season as a middle-of-the-line disruptor at defensive tackle.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept 6: Lake City (ID), 7 p.m.

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

Sept. 19: Mead, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27: Central Valley, 5 p.m.

Oct. 4: Post Falls (ID), 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 11: Shadle Park, 7:30 p.m.

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

Oct. 25: at Ferris, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 31: at Gonzaga Prep, 6 p.m.