Here is a preview of the Kiona-Benton Bears for the 2011 SCAC football season:
Coach: Charlie Hobbick (3rd year, 6-14).
Last league title: 1972 (split Tri-Valley title).
Last playoff berth: 2007.
Home field: Kiona-Benton High School, Benton City.
Projected starters
OFFENSE POS YR HT WT
Anfernee Cortez QB So. 5-11 160
Dalton Morgan RB Sr. 6-3 235
Matt McCallum WR Sr.. 5-7 140
Tony Cortez WR Jr. 5-6 140
Cristian Aguilar WR Jr. 6-1 180
Cruz DelAngel WR So. 6-0 170
Corey Brumbaugh C Sr. 5-11 260
Trevor Nichols G Sr. 6-1 300
Santiago Valdez G Jr. 6-2 280
Mick Phelps T Jr. 6-6 260
Chase Edwards T Sr. 6-0 180
Zac Metcalf K Jr. 6-0 155
DEFENSE POS YR HT WT
Trevor Nichols NT Sr. 6-1 300
Cody Zyph DT So. 6-0 220
Pierce Williams DT So. 6-0 185
Dalton Morgan LB Sr. 6-3 235
Luis Madrigal LB Jr. 5-9 185
Chase Edwards LB Sr. 6-0 180
Kale Setzer LB Jr. 5-9 170
Cruz DelAngel SS So. 6-0 170
Tony Cortez FS Jr. 5-6 140
Tim Herman CB Sr. 6-2 185
Matt McCallum CB Sr. 5-7 140
Anfernee Cortez QB So. 5-11 160
Others to watch: Silas Landoe, So.; Jacob Heinen, Fr.
Quick hits
* Morgan spent the summer lifting weights and attending the Oregon State University summer combine. He is easily the biggest running back in the conference, though he lacks Hadley's speed.
* The Bears lost not only their quarterback (Matt Mason), but the best wide receiver in the league (all-state first team, Hayden Wing). Replacing them will be tough, but Hobbick thinks this wide receiver group has height that has been missing in the past.
* Kiona-Benton averages 256 pounds across the line, as the Bears are hoping the big boys up front, combined with Morgan in the backfield can lead to a bruising offense.
Outlook
The near regional playoff victory at Zillah (26-21 loss) last season has the Bears believing they have the ability to do something this season.
Combine that with the size up front, the height in the receiving corps and Morgan in the backfield, and Kiona-Benton just might break that playoff drought.
"I think we will have a team that competes with Royal and all the other teams in the league," Hobbick said. "I thought we scrimmaged Connell better than the other two years I've been here by far."
