Moses Lake Chiefs: 2019 Washington high school 4A football preview

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Moses Lake Chiefs football team. Links: Moses Lake team page | 2019 schedule | Roster 2018 IN REVIEW 3-7 in Columbia

Here is an inside look at the 2019 Moses Lake Chiefs football team.

Links: Moses Lake team page | 2019 schedule | Roster

2018 IN REVIEW

3-7 in Columbia Basin/Big Nine (sixth place)

COACHING RESUME

Todd Griffith, 11th season

52-51 record

RETURNING STARTERS

Offense - 5. Defense - 6.

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

OL Kevin Donovan, 5-10, 205, sr.

RB Moses Garza, 5-7, 160, sr.

OL Rhody Raymond, 6-2, 215, jr.

QB Logan Sperline, 6-1, 200, sr.

OL Chris Vasquez, 6-0, 240, sr.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

DL Baneci Hernandez, 5-9, 225, sr.

DB Tristan Queen, 5-5, 110, sr.

DL Alex Shevchuk, 6-0, 175, jr.

DB Lerenz Thomas, 5-5, 155, jr.

DB Carter Visker, 5-7, 145, jr.

THREE TO SEE

Kevin Donovan, offensive lineman

The Chiefs return a lot of experience in this group - and this right tackle is the veteran

Moses Garza, running back

If run-first offense has any chance of putting up points, he needs to be focal point

Logan Sperline, quarterback

Pressed into late-season duty because of injury, but now he is full-time leader

OUTLOOK

The league’s biggest development last year wasn’t necessarily who won the league (upstart Eastmont) - it was who fell from the top perch.

After winning three consecutive CBBN titles -- they won 18 of 19 league games at one point -- the Chiefs fell off dramatically. And it came with 29 seniors leading the way.

Needless to say, Griffith said his team underperformed - and the tough-as-nails Chiefs might be a mid-tier team for at least another season with a much smaller senior class this season.

They will be perimeter-based, with Garza spearheading the rushing attack. He did not miss a snap last season, and should receive 18-20 carries minimum. Queen and Thomas, the team's lone returning all-leaguer as a kickoff returner, will also be involved.

2019 SCHEDULE

Sept. 6: Ferris, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: at Mount Spokane, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20: at Post Falls (ID), 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: at Davis, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: Wenatchee, 7 p.m.

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

Oct. 18: West Valley of Yakima, 7 p.m.

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

Nov. 1: at Eastmont, 7 p.m.

Nov. 7: Sunnyside, 7 p.m.