Here is a preview of the Eisenhower Cadets for the 2011 Columbia Basin Big Nine 4A football season:
Coach: Dan Eyman (10th year, 50-40).
Last league title: 2009.
Last playoff berth: 2009.
Home field: Zaepfel Stadium.
Projected starters
OFFENSE POS YR HT WT
Kolney Cassel QB Jr. 6-2 190
Brandon Curtis RB Jr. 5-10 190
Denzel Jones WR Sr. 5-8 170
Taran Hernandez WR Sr. 5-10 175
Ridge Harmon Slot So. 5-9 165
Darius Pati Slot So. 6-3 190
Kaleb Garza C Sr. 5-11 210
Jacob Herr G Sr. 6-0 225
Thomas Manley G Sr. 5-11 260
Mike Jones T Sr. 6-1 215
Jason Albertson T Jr. 6-2 225
Mike Denton K Jr. 5-10 190
DEFENSE POS YR HT WT
Mike Jones DE Sr. 6-1 215
Logan Ortiz DT So. 5-7 265
Jose Jimenez DT So. 5-10 235
Andy Soto DE So. 6-3 190
Nate Guillen LB Sr. 6-0 210
Joel Ortega LB Sr. 5-10 220
Jacob Martinez LB Jr. 5-10 200
Denzel Jones DB Sr. 5-8 170
Jason Easter DB Sr. 6-0 180
Roger Andrade DB Sr. 5-9 170
Ridge Harmon DB So. 5-9 165
Nate Geffre P Sr. 6-0 190
Others to watch: OL/DL Dylan Rowden, Jr. (5-11, 235); WR/DB Anthony Prieto, So. (6-0, 175); WR/DB Robert Michel, Jr. (6-1, 180); RB/DB Trevon Harris, Sr. (5-10, 195); FB/LB Mike Denton, Jr. (5-10, 190); RB/LB Branden Curtis, Jr. (5-10, 185); FB/LB Maverick Kindsvator, Sr. (5-10, 180); OL/DL Serafin Soberanez, Sr. (5-11, 225).
Quick hits
* OL/DT Jones isn't the biggest interior player on the field, but he is an impact guy and has been offered a scholarship to Eastern Oregon.
* QB Cassel may be the league's most dynamic player by the time season is over. He attended the Top Gun camp in Williamsburg, Va., and was MVP of the 5-Star Performance Camp in Auburn.
* Cadets are thinned out on interior lines, but C Garza and OG Herr should provide good leadership on OL. Three promising sophs start on DL.
* WR Jones caught 24 passes for 14 yds/catch in 2010. If teams double him up, look for Harmon, Hernandez and Pati to pick up slack.
Outlook
Ike led CBBN 4A with 385 yards per game from scrimmage. The Cadets have the talent to put up even bigger numbers this season.
It all starts with Cassel.
"He's the whole package," said Eyman, who thinks the athletic senior could walk away from Ike with a truckload of school records. "He's got a cannon. He can do things you can't do with some kids."
