Yellow Pages
ANACORTES — After last year’s one-win season, the Anacortes football team is looking for a fresh start.
Between a new head coach and a mix of returning and new players, the Seahawks may have the chance for just that.
Coach Bill Evans, who replaced Charlie Bell after Bell stepped down, will lead the Seahawks into the 2009 campaign.
Several players say they like the attitude he’s brought.
“It’s an upbeat, faster tempo. We’re hustling and running around,” said Daniel Codd, who will play running back and safety this season.
Evans, a longtime assistant at Anacortes, was formerly a head coach at Pe Ell and Granite Falls. His teams reached the postseason five times and the state quarterfinals twice.
Evans said he’s pleased with the squad’s work ethic, but isn’t willing to make predictions quite yet.
“I don’t know what our strengths will be until we begin playing,” he said.
Evans is pleased with the effort and skill the returning starters are putting into the practices. On offense, that group starts with last year’s starting quarterback, Chris Stoneham (sr., 6-0, 170).
Stoneham was dangerous with his legs last season, rushing for 366 yards and four touchdowns. This year, he hopes to get more out of his arm.
“I’ve been working on my arm in the offseason — something I didn’t do last year. I won’t have to scramble as much,” Stoneham said.
Evans said, “Chris has looked sharp so far — he throws the ball better than I thought he threw it last year.”
Stoneham won’t be the Seahawks’ only offensive weapon. The running backs will be Landon Macy (sr., 5-9, 185), Torey Merritt (sr., 5-8, 180) and Codd (sr., 5-10, 165).
Mark Medalia (jr., 6-2, 210), who caught 21 passes last season, will again hold down the tight end position, although Si Sharma (sr., 6-2, 180) will get time at tight end as well.
Newcomer Jackson Kirkpatrick (jr., 5-9, 150), a talented athlete who plays basketball and baseball, will play receiver in his first season of football.
The offensive line is a mix of returning starters and newcomers, with returners Trevor White (sr., 5-10, 250) and Darien Ferguson (sr., 5-10, 200), and newcomers P.J. Johnson (jr., 5-10, 190), Jerry Pennwell (sr., 6-0, 200) and Jonah Richards (jr., 6-1, 230).
White, Richards and sophomore Josh Wireman (so., 6-1, 240) will play on the defensive line, with Pennwell, Sharma, Medalia and Macy seeing time at linebacker.
Evans said Codd, who missed much of last year with injury, will be a standout at safety, where he will be joined by Andrew Bolton (jr., 5-9, 170).
Kirkpatrick and Shane Hardesty (jr., 5-8, 140) will play cornerback , as will Merritt.
Merritt, also a standout soccer player, will handle kicks.
Trevor Pyle can be reached at 360-416-2156 or by e-mail at .
