Friday, Sep. 04, 2009

2009 preview: Waitsburg-Prescott Cardinals

By the Herald staff

Here's the 2009 season preview.

Coach: Jeff Bartlow (11th year, 52-42).

Last league title: 2002.

Last playoff berth: 2002.

Home field: Waitsburg HS, Waitsburg.

Players to watch: Offense: WR TJ Hofer, jr. (5-11, 165); WR Lucan Gerke, sr. (6-1, 185); QB Zach Bartlow, so.

(6-1, 175); WR Dustin Wooderchak, so. (6-0, 146); RB Jace Zuger, sr. (5-10, 185); FB Kris Cady, jr. (6-0, 185); HB Zac Alexanko, sr. (5-10, 180); T Ben Kiefel, sr. (6-4, 195); G James Lehr, sr. (5-10, 220); G Marco Wikman, sr. (6-0, 218); WR Dorian Tiburcio, jr. (6-2, 162); C Tre Brannock, jr. (6-0, 203). Defense: LB David Brock, jr. (6-2, 165); K Fernando Gomez, sr. (5-11, 260); LB Morgan Robinson, jr. (5-10, 173); LB Kevin Raver, sr. (6-0, 153); S Gerke; LB Bartlow; CB Wooderchak; CB Zuger; CB Alexanko; DE Lehr; DE Wikman.

Zuger, Alexanko and Lehr bring the experience of seasoned veterans as the team struggles to get past perennial powerhouses Asotin and DeSales in the Southeast 2B League.

The Cardinals are going to the 3-5 defense, emphasizing gap control. "Almost everybody ran it," Bartlow said of the 3-5's popularity at the team's summer camp.