Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008

Just when I thought I was done ...

I'm headed out the door when a couple of e-mails hit my box that I have to take care of.

The first is from Robb Solida of Bsports.org, wanting my ballot for the preseason 2B and 1B rankings.

OK, it's tough enough trying to compile 4A and 3A preseason rankings -- which is what I'm working on for our football preview, which comes out Friday morning in the Herald.

2B and 1B? Not on my radar yet.

But, I signed up for the gig, so here's my ballot:

2B 1, DeSales. 2, Reardan. 3, Asotin. 4, Lind-Ritzville. 5, Colfax. 6, Adna. 7, Life Christian. 8, Toutle Lake. 9, La Salle. 10, Waitsburg-Prescott.

1B 1, Odessa. 2, Tri-Cities Prep. 3, Touchet. 4, Lummi. 5, Lake Quinault. 6, Almira/Coulee-Hartline. 7, Clallam Bay. 8, LaCrosse-Washtucna. 9, Neah Bay. 10, Columbia (Hunters).

Then I got an e-mail from John in Kennewick, asking: Who do you think are going to be the toughest players to replace from last year's playoff football teams from the "old" CBL 3A and 4A?

Good question. Here's my (hopefully) good answers.

4A

Wenatchee Tyce Thomas. OK, duh, he was the league co-MVP. But it's not on offense that I see his absence being felt. The Panthers have two solid RBs to take his place in Joe Griffiths and Blair Dorn. It's on defense, where Thomas was a unanimous all-league pick at linebacker and the Panthers are starting a pair of relative newbies, where he'll be missed most.

Richland Marcelino Morales. The other league co-MVP was a workhorse running back. Those are never easy to replace.

Moses Lake Jarred Walker. One of three unanimous all-league picks who graduated, but with teams moving to more pass-happy offenses, an experienced cornerback will be missed.

3A

Kamiakin Maxx Garrett. I was tempted to say Stephen Gilbert, who helped the Braves win the field-position battles the last two years with his powerful right leg. But Garrett was the heart of their dominating defense last year.

Kennewick Danny Engel. What? Not league MVP Robbie Mitchell? Engel, though, was a feared presence on the defensive line (66 tackles, 7 for loss, along with 9 sacks) who changed how teams attacked the Lions.

Southridge Austin Thomas. If there's one question mark for the Suns this year, it's on the offensive line, where Thomas was an anchor the past couple years. He edges out Steve Swanson, a very underrated player at strong safety.

Hanford Tyler Stark. A solid player on both sides of the ball.

Let me hear your thoughts on the subject. Click on the comment bar down below and weigh in on the topic.

Let's talk football!

Til next time ...