Friday, Sep. 04, 2009

2009 preview: DeSales Irish

By the Herald staff

Here's the 2009 season preview.

Coach: Pat Graham (1st year; coached 1998 team to 13-1 record and state championship).

Last league title: 2007.

Last playoff berth: 2008.

Home field: Ty Baffney Memorial Field, Walla Walla.

Players to watch: Offense: WR Shane Roach, sr. (5-11, 150); QB Pat Richard, sr. (6-1, 180); WR Ryan Rea, sr. (5-8, 145); WR Tommy Gregg, jr. (5-9, 155); WR Kyle Konen, sr. (5-9, 145); RB Victor Mata, jr. (5-9, 210); RB Kyle Lindgren, jr. (5-10, 175); OL Kincaid Schmitz, jr. (5-11, 190); OL Tyler Wahl, sr. (5-11, 210); OL Stephen Waagt, jr. (5-10, 165); OL Ben Konen, sr. (5-9, 200); OL Jose Mata, sr. (5-7, 210); OL Pat Sharkey, sr. (6-3, 200); OL Justin Meyer, jr. (6-0, 225). Defense: DB Roach; DB Richard; DB Rea; DB Gregg; DB K.Konen; DL V.Mata; LB Lindgren; DL Schmitz; DL Wahl; DL Waagt; DL B.Konen; DL J.Mata; DL Sharkey; DL Meyer.

Graham led the Irish to a state championship in 1998, and now he's back. The question is, can he do it again?

"In 1998 we had a very senior group of kids, and this year we're fairly young," Graham said. "We have three returning starters. We're going to have a lot of new faces, and any time you have that situation there is going to be an adjustment period."

Expect to see Lindgren step up to fill the shoes of graduated all-state RB Bryce Hayunga. Richard threw for 1,200 yards last season and also was an all-league defensive back.