Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008

Connell, Ki-Be face rebuilding

By Mark McKenna, Herald staff writer

Scott Biglin had a nice surprise awaiting him last season when he took over the head-coaching duties at Kiona-Benton.

The Bears returned 20 of 22 starters, and Biglin combined that experience with his wide-open offense and ended up with one highly successful season. The Bears finished 9-3 overall and advanced to the state playoffs for the first time in 21 years.

This season, the numbers don't look too good at first glance. Ki-Be returns only one starter on offense and three players who started at times on defense.

But Biglin, who played quarterback at Pasco and Whitworth University, still is as optimistic as can be.

"The guys got a big taste of success last year, and I think that will carry this year," he said. "We don't have much experience, but the guys put in a lot of hard work over the summer and some talented kids are starting to emerge."

One such player is senior Arturo Lucatero, who will step in at quarterback for the graduated Anthony Pace. Pace, a four-year starter, threw for 2,207 yards and 28 touchdowns last season.

"Anthony was a great athlete, but Arturo is right there with him," Biglin said. "He throws the ball well, he makes good decisions, I think he's going to surprise some people."

Chris Curtis, however, won't be sneaking up on anybody. The Bears' senior receiver, who also happens to be the lone returning starter, caught 25 passes for 406 yards (16.2 average) and four touchdowns last season.

"Chris is one of the best I've seen in a long time," Biglin said. "He's a natural athlete who just makes plays."

The Bears' high-flying offense demands a quality corps of receivers, and Biglin admits he was concerned with his team's defections at the position. But as the season quickly approaches, he's becoming more and more confident.

"Chris Howell (junior) and Kyle Hoodenpyle (senior) have really impressed me," he said. "They give us two strong options opposite of Chris."

-- Out in Connell, the Eagles also are facing a rebuilding year. Two mainstays the past three years -- Brett Clyde (quarterback, safety) and Spencer Hadley (H-back/linebacker) -- leave some big cleats to fill.

But don't shed any tears for one of the top small-school programs in the state over the past decade. The Eagles return several top-notch players, including Cole Thompson (OT/LB) and running back Carlos Bailon-Schubert.

Thompson, coach Wayne Riner believes, will be one of the top two-way players in the state, and Bailon-Schubert rushed for 1,107 yards (6.0 average) and eight touchdowns as the Eagles reached the state-title game.

"We might not be the caliber of team we were last season, but we're slowly getting better," Riner said. "We're excited about the season."