Yellow Pages
CONCRETE — The Concrete football team will go into this season with both potential and question marks.
A year after going to the first round of the state class 2B playoffs, the Lions will start the 2009 campaign having graduated several key players off last year’s squad, including second-leading rusher Derek Rice and Northwest 2B League MVP and quarterback Chris Smith.
But the team brings back Kyler Howell (jr., 5-11, 195), who led its ground attack with 1,216 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns, and has other players who may be ready to step into bigger roles.
“We graduated a bunch of skill players, like backs and receivers and Chris Smith. That’s our biggest struggle, finding replacements for them. That’s our biggest question mark,” Concrete coach Ron Rood said.
Howell, he said, has the potential to build on his stellar season last year.
“He looks even better,” Rood said.
Howell said, “I’ve got to be more vocal and lead by example a little more this year. They’re going to be keying me most of the time, so we’re going to have to get other guys involved some and hopefully that will open my holes up.”
Replacing Smith will be Tyler Clark (5-11, 175), a sophomore who flashed some athletic talent last year, going 5-for-12 for 93 yards and a touchdown in his time at quarterback.
Clark, who will also play defensive back, looked good in offseason workouts and passing camp, Rood said.
“We’re happy with his development. We think he’ll play well,” Rood said.
Howell returns at running back, and will be joined in the backfield by backs Greg McIntosh (sr., 5-10, 170) and Tyler Kales (so., 5-10, 155), who combined for 17 carries last year.
There will be new faces at wide receiver as well, with sophomore Aiden Walsh (5-11, 190) and senior D.J. Mitchell (6-1, 160) expected to fill roles there.
Rood said Mitchell, who hasn’t played since youth football, has been a pleasant surprise.
“We’ll run the ball wide and throw the ball well,” Rood said.
While there will be new faces at the skill positions, the offensive line will be heavy with veterans.
Six players are expected to see the lion’s share of playing time: William Stidman (sr., 5-11, 170), James Martin (sr., 5-9, 165), Uriah Kast (jr., 6-4, 230), James Johnson (sr., 6-3, 210), Cody Corn (so., 6-2, 180) and Chris Archuletta (jr., 5-11, 175).
“A big bonus is that four of the lineman started last year,” Rood said. “It’s a cohesive unit.”
Many of the names on the offensive line will also be found on the defensive line, with Archuletta, Johnson, Kast and Stidman all expected to be in the rotation. Jacob White (sr., 6-0, 230) and Chris Phillips (jr., 5-8, 220) will also play roles.
The team will have four linebackers: Howell, Kales, Martin and Scott Rice (jr., 5-8, 175).
The three defensive backs will be Clark, McIntosh and Mitchell.
Rood said the Northwest 2B League will be competitive this season.
“I don’t see anyone in the league who will blow everyone away,” he said.
• Trevor Pyle can be reached at 360-416-2156 or by e-mail at .
